This lesson offers a number of sentences ending in -지요. The one-shape Suppositive ending -지 carries the basic meaning supposedly, and can attach to any base: 하지요, 했지요, 하겠지요. Notice that it also combines with Probable Futures in -(으)ㄹ거에요: 할거지요.
Suppositive verb forms in -지요 correspond to a number of English meanings, depending on whether they occur in statements, yes-no questions, question-word questions, or suggestions and imperatives.
In statements, the basic meaning of -지요 is I suppose; in this usage, the -지 is particularly compatible with -겠-. In a particularly emphatic or assertive intonation (say, in response to a dumb question), -지요 means something like Of course! or You bet!:
- 아마 언니가 하겠지요.
I suppose my big sister will probably do it. - 그 사람이 한국사람이에요? — 물론이지요!
Is that person Korean?– Of course she is! - 교수님이 주무시겠지요.
I suppose Professor is sleeping.
In yes-no questions (with the rising intonation of English yes-or-no questions like Is it raining? or Are you coming with me?), -지요 makes a tag-questions with the effect of Isn’t that right? Isn’t that so? Right? N’est-ce pas? Nicht wahr? (Canadian) Eh? etc.:
- 미국서 돌아오셨지요?
She came back from America, didn’t she? - 값이 비싸지요?
I suppose the price is expensive? or It’s pricey, isn’t it? - 꽃을 좋아하시지요?
I imagine you like flowers[ don’t you]? - [on the telephone] 김선생님 부인이시지요?
It’s Mrs. Kim, isn’t it? - 갔지요?
He’s gone, hasn’t he?
In question-word questions, -지요 carries the nuance of I wonder, or WH[-at, -ere. -y, -o, etc.] did you say it is/was?:
- 이것은 얼마지요?
How much is this (I wonder)? or How much did you say this was? or How much is this again? - 내 안경 어디 갔지요?
Now where have my glasses gone (I wonder)?
Korean suppositives in -지요 can also convey mild or casual suggestions or commands with the force of How about. . .? or Why don’t you. . .?In the command usage, the -지요 is often accompanied by the honorific, giving -(으)시지요:
- 인제 라디오를 좀 듣지요.
How about [us] listening to the radio now? - 자, 드시지요.
Well then,[why don’t you] drink up. - 여기 앉으시지요.
Please sit here! - 제가 (돈을) 내지요!
I’ll pay! or Why don’t I pay? or Let me pay!)