Core Pattern Rule: Quoting Suggestions with -재
This pattern is used to quote or report a suggestion someone else made. It's a common contraction of -자고 하다, which means "to say let's..." or "to suggest that we...".
Meaning & Usage
Meaning: "He/She/They said let's..." or "He/She/They suggested we..."
When to use: Use it when you're telling someone about a suggestion you heard from a third person. For example, if your friend said, "Let's eat," you can report this to another person by saying, "He said let's eat" (걔가 밥 먹재).
Formation
This pattern is very simple to form. Just attach -재 directly to the verb stem, regardless of whether it ends in a vowel or a consonant.
Verb stem ending in a vowel: 가다 (to go) → 가 + 재 → 가재
Verb stem ending in a consonant: 먹다 (to eat) → 먹 + 재 → 먹재
하다 verbs: 시작하다 (to start) → 시작하 + 재 → 시작하재
걔가 밥 먹재. / 오늘 회식하재. / 같이 가재. / 친구가 오늘 밤에 놀재.
Synonyms & Differences: -재 vs. -자고 해
-재 is a direct contraction of -자고 해. While they have the same core meaning, their usage differs slightly in tone and formality.
-재 (Contraction)
Tone: More conversational, casual, and immediate. It's the default choice in everyday spoken Korean among friends and colleagues.
Context: Primarily used in speech. You would rarely see it in formal writing.
Example: 친구가 오늘 영화 보재. (Sounds very natural and quick).
-자고 해 (Full Form)
Tone: Can sound slightly more deliberate, formal, or even emphatic. It's the standard grammatical form.
Context: Can be used in both speaking and writing. In conversation, using the full form might add a little emphasis or sound a bit more "by the book."
Example: 친구가 오늘 영화 보자고 해. (Perfectly correct, but -재 is often preferred for speed and flow in casual chat).
Tip: For most daily conversations, using -재 will make you sound more natural and fluent.
더치페이 하재. / 더치페이 하자고 해. / 결혼하재요. / 결혼하자고 해요.