있잖아
itjana
The English phrase "guess what" is translated into Korean as 있잖아 (itjana).
있잖아 is used to grab someone's attention before sharing news, a story or a surprising fact, used to dramatize the unsurprising.
Meaning: used to dramatize the unsurprising (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a combination of the verb 있다 (to exist/be) and the particle -잖아 (as you know/you see), literally meaning "there is/exists, you know".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The base form 있잖아 is used in casual speech (반말) with friends or younger people. To make the phrase suitable for speaking to people older than you or in formal settings, you can add the polite suffix -요 to create 있잖아요. Another informal way to pique someone's interest is to use 아니, 들어봐, which means "No, listen".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is primarily used in its base form 있잖아 during casual speech (반말).
How do you pronounce it?
itjana
Did you know?
- If you use the polite version 있잖아요 with a stranger, it can sound unexpectedly intimate or even flirtatious depending on your tone, because you are using a conversational structure usually reserved for people you know.
- The phrase can be used to start an argument by asserting a fact the other person is ignoring, effectively saying 'You know this is true, right?' instead of 'Guess what'.
- While the English 'guess what' invites a response, the Korean 있잖아 is often used as a filler to hold the floor while the speaker thinks, much like 'um' or 'you know' in English.
Examples in context
- 있잖아, 나 오늘 시험 잘 봤어.itjanna, na oneul siheom jal bwasseo.Guess what, I did well on my exam today.
- 있잖아, 내일 비가 온대.itjanna, naeil biga ondae.Guess what, they say it's going to rain tomorrow.
- 있잖아, 우리 식당 예약했어.itjanna, uri sikdang yeyakhaesseo.Guess what, I made a reservation at the restaurant.
Example conversation
Minji and Minjun are talking at a cafe.
- 민지 Min-ji민준아, 있잖아, 나 이번에 시험 다 맞았어!Minjun-a, itjana, na ibeone siheom da majasseo!Minjun, guess what, I got a perfect score on the test!
- 민준 Min-jun와, 진짜? 정말 축하해!wa, jinja? jeongmal chukahae!Wow, really? Congratulations!
- 민지 Min-ji고마워, 생각보다 너무 쉬웠어.gomawo, saenggakboda neomu swiwosseo.Thanks, it was easier than I thought.
- 민준 Min-jun열심히 공부하더니 결국 해냈구나.yeolsimhi gongbuhadeoni gyeolguk haenaetguna.You studied hard, and you finally did it.
