What are Propositive Sentences?
Propositive sentences (called 청유문 in Korean) are used to suggest doing an action together with the listener. In English, this is similar to saying "Let's..." or "Shall we...?"
Korean has different endings for this depending on the level of formality. The two most common forms you'll encounter as a beginner are:
-(으)ㅂ시다 for formal or polite situations.
-자 for casual, informal situations.
Formal Suggestions: -(으)ㅂ시다
The -(으)ㅂ시다 ending is a formal and polite way to make a suggestion. It's typically used with colleagues, acquaintances, or people of a similar age or status in settings where politeness is expected.
Conjugation Rules
The form changes slightly depending on the verb stem.
If the verb stem ends in a vowel (no 받침 ), add -ㅂ시다 .
If the verb stem ends in a consonant (with 받침 ), add -읍시다 .
Verb Stem · Rule · Result · Meaning
가다 · Vowel stem + ㅂ시다 · 갑시다 · Let's go
보다 · Vowel stem + ㅂ시다 · 봅시다 · Let's see
먹다 · Consonant stem + 읍시다 · 먹읍시다 · Let's eat
읽다 · Consonant stem + 읍시다 · 읽읍시다 · Let's read
Casual Suggestions: -자
The -자 ending is a casual, informal way to make a suggestion. This is the form you'll use most often with close friends, siblings, or people who are younger than you. Using this with someone you should be formal with can sound rude.
Conjugation Rule
This form is very simple: just add -자 to the verb stem, regardless of whether it ends in a vowel or a consonant.
Verb Stem · Rule · Result · Meaning
가다 · Stem + 자 · 가자 · Let's go
보다 · Stem + 자 · 보자 · Let's see
먹다 · Stem + 자 · 먹자 · Let's eat
읽다 · Stem + 자 · 읽자 · Let's read