What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 자러 갈게 is composed of 자다 (to sleep), -러 (in order to) and 갈게 (will go). Literally, it means "I will go to sleep"
Which one should you use?
The phrase 잘 거야. is a shorter, casual way to say "I'm going to sleep," whereas 자러 갈 거야 is a slightly more descriptive way to express the intention of going to sleep in an informal setting.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For more formal or polite situations, you can use 저는 잠을 자요. or add the suffix -요 to make the phrase polite, such as 자러 갈게요.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the suffix -요 to the end of an expression makes it polite for use with people you are not close to or those who are older than you. Additionally, 자 is the informal conjugation of the verb "to sleep".
How do you pronounce it?
jareo galge
When do people say it?
When someone says 자러 갈게, a common and natural response in informal speech is 잘 자 (sleep well).
Did you know?
- In high-intensity social settings, the act of 'sleeping' is sometimes referred to as 기절하다, which literally means 'to faint'.
- While 잘 자 is a common reply to 자러 갈게, you might hear the phrase 굿밤 in texts. This is a 'Konglish' portmanteau combining the English word 'good' and the Korean word 밤 for 'night'.
- The verb 자다 (to sleep) has a very specific honorific counterpart, 주무시다. Using the standard verb for sleep when speaking to a grandparent or teacher is considered a significant social error in Korea.
Examples in context
- 나는 열한 시에 잠을 자.I go to sleep at 11 o'clock.
- 나 이제 자러 갈게.na ije jareo galge.I'm going to sleep now.
- 피곤해서 먼저 자러 갈게.pigonhaeseo meonjeo jareo galge.I'm tired, so I'll go to sleep first.
- 내일 봐, 자러 갈게.naeil bwa, jareo galge.See you tomorrow, I'm going to sleep.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking on the phone late at night.
- 민지 Min-ji지훈아, 아직 안 자?Ji-hun-a, ajik an ja?Ji-hun, aren't you sleeping yet?
- 지훈 Ji-hun응, 아직 드라마 보고 있어.eung, ajik deurama bogo isseo.No, I'm still watching a drama.
- 민지 Min-ji나 너무 졸려. 자러 갈게.na neomu jollyeo. jareo galge.I'm so sleepy. I'm going to sleep.
- 지훈 Ji-hun그래, 민지야 잘 자.geurae, Min-ji-ya jal ja.Okay, Min-ji, sleep well.
