1.~자
“When you want to suggest doing something together in English, you naturally say “Let’s…” right? Well, in Korean, there is an incredibly easy shortcut for this, and mastering Casual Korean is the best way to connect with your friends. Almost all of these casual suggestions end with just one magic letter: “자 (ja)” ! 🥳✨”
It’s super simple but highly effective. If you want to talk like a real local friend, this “~자” pattern is the absolute first thing you should master.
🏃♂️ 일상 행동 (Action)
- 가자! (Ga-ja!) Let’s go!
- 하자! (Ha-ja!) Let’s do it!
- 보자! (Bo-ja!) Let’s meet! / Let’s see!
- 그러자! (Geu-reo-ja!) ➔ Let’s do that! / Sounds like a plan!
- 해보자! (Hae-bo-ja!) ➔ Let’s give it a try! / Let’s do it!
🍔 먹고 마실 때 (Food & Drinks)
- 먹자! (Meok-ja!) Let’s eat!
- 마시자! (Ma-si-ja!) Let’s drink!
- 사자! (Sa-ja!) Let’s buy (food/coffee)!
🛌 휴식과 힐링 (Rest & Fun)
- 자자! (Ja-ja!) Let’s sleep! / Let’s go to bed!
- 쉬자! (Swi-ja!) Let’s take a break! / Let’s rest!
- 놀자! (Nol-ja!) Let’s hang out! / Let’s play!
✍️ 공부나 일할 때 (Work & Study)
- 보자! (Bo-ja!) Let’s check it out! / Let’s read!
- 쓰자! (Sseu-ja!) Let’s write!
- 듣자! (Deut-ja!) Let’s listen!
2.~라
Next up is the “~라 (ra)” pattern!
While “~자” was a friendly “Let’s…”, this one is a direct command. Think of it as saying “Do this!” or “Go there!” in English.
Word of caution: Because it sounds very strong and commanding, you should only use it with your absolute best friends when joking around, or to someone younger than you. If you say this to your boss or an elder, you’ll definitely see some raised eyebrows! 😲🚫
🏃♂️ 일상 행동 (Action)
- 가라! (Ga-ra!)= Go!
- 해라! (Hae-ra!) = Do it!
- 와라! (Wa-ra!) = Come here!
- 봐라! (Bwa-ra!) = Look! / Watch!
- 앉아라! (An-ja-ra!) = Sit down!
- 거기 서라! (Geo-gi seo-ra!) = Stop right there! 🚨
- 줘라! (Jwo-ra!) = Give it to me!
- 가져라! (Ga-jyeo-ra!) = Take it! / Keep it!
🍔 먹고 마실 때 (Food & Drinks)
- 먹어라! (Meok-eo-ra!) = Eat!
- 마셔라! (Ma-syeo-ra!) = Drink!
- 사라! (Sa-ra!) = Buy it!
- 팔아라! (Par-a-ra!) = Sell it!
🛌 휴식과 힐링 (Rest & Fun)
- 자라! (Ja-ra!) = Go to sleep!
- 쉬어라! (Swi-eo-ra!) = Take a rest!
- 씻어라! (Ssit-eo-ra!) = Wash up! / Go take a shower! 🚿
✍️ 공부나 일할 때 (Work & Study)
- 써라! (Sseu-ra!) = Write it!
- 들어라! (Deut-eo-ra!) = Listen!
- 읽어라! (Il-geo-ra!) = Read it! 📚
🚨 A BIG WARNING FROM A LOCAL:
> Because it sounds incredibly strong, bossy, and commanding, you should NEVER use this with strangers, coworkers, or anyone older than you. It might sound a bit rude if you misplace it!
If you really want to try this pattern, keep your tone as soft and playful as possible, and only say it to your absolute best friends or someone younger than you (동생 – Dong-saeng). 😉✨
“Now, I’d like to introduce a song that perfectly showcases the two expressions we’ve just learned: ‘~자’ (Let’s) and ‘~라’ (Command).
As you listen to the lyrics, try to identify exactly where and how these patterns are used. Pay close attention to the tone and the context of each phrase—you’ll be surprised how often these patterns appear in everyday Korean music!”
| 가사 (한국어) | 가사 (영어 발음) | 영어 해석 (English Translation) |
| 잔을 들어 하늘 높이 | Jan-eul deul-eo hanul nop-i | Raise your glass to the sky |
| 비워버려 걱정 따위 | Bi-wo-beol-yeo geok-jeong tta-wi | Empty out all your worries |
| 한입 가득 털어 넣어 | Han-ib ga-deuk teol-eo neo-eo | Take it all in, one big gulp |
| 인생 별거 없지 그래 | In-saeng byeol-geo eobs-ji geu-rae | Life isn’t much, right? |
| 내일 걱정 내일 모레 | Nae-il geok-jeong nae-il mo-re | Worry about tomorrow, the day after tomorrow |
| 지금 여기 우리 세상 | Ji-geum yeo-gi u-ri se-sang | Right here, right now, it’s our world |
| 마셔라 부어라 | Ma-syeo-ra bu-eo-ra | Drink up, pour it up |
| 오늘 밤은 우리가 주인공 | O-neul bam-eun u-ri-ga ju-in-gong | Tonight, we are the main characters |
| 마셔라 부어라 | Ma-syeo-ra bu-eo-ra | Drink up, pour it up |
| 끝까지 달려보자 가자 | Kkeut-kka-ji dal-lyeo-bo-ja ga-ja | Let’s run until the end, let’s go |
| 마셔라 부어라 | Ma-syeo-ra bu-eo-ra | Drink up, pour it up |
| 오늘 밤은 우리가 주인공 | O-neul bam-eun u-ri-ga ju-in-gong | Tonight, we are the main characters |
| 마셔라 부어라 | Ma-syeo-ra bu-eo-ra | Drink up, pour it up |
| 세상만사 다 잊고 놀자 | Se-sang-man-sa da ij-go nol-ja | Forget all worldly cares and let’s play |
| 어제 일은 웃어 넘겨 | Eo-je il-eun us-eo neom-gyeo | Laugh off what happened yesterday |
| 고민들은 씹어 삼켜 | Go-min-deul-eun ssib-eo sam-kyeo | Chew and swallow your troubles |
| 한번 살지 두번 사냐 | Han-beon sal-ji du-beon sa-nya | You only live once, not twice |
| 배꼽 잡고 웃어보자 | Bae-kkob jab-go us-eo-bo-ja | Let’s hold our bellies and laugh |
| 지갑 비어도 마음 부자 | Ji-gab bi-eo-do ma-eum bu-ja | Empty wallet, but rich in heart |
| 이 순간이 진짜 명작 | I sun-gan-i jin-jja myeong-jak | This moment is a true masterpiece |
| 가슴을 뻥 뚫어버려 | Ga-seum-eul ppeong ttul-eo-beol-yeo | Blow your heart wide open |
| 막힘없이 쏟아 부어 | Mak-him-eobs-i ssod-a bu-eo | Pour it out without hesitation |
| 다 같이 소리 질러봐 | Da gat-i so-ri jil-leo-bwa | Scream it out together |
| 준비 됐지 하나 둘 셋 | Jun-bi dwaet-ji ha-na dul set | You ready? One, two, three |