있잖아
itjana
The English phrase "you know what" can be translated into Korean as 있잖아 (itjana).
있잖아 is used as a conversational starter or a filler to grab a listener's attention before you introduce a new topic or share a piece of news.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a combination of the verb 있다 (to exist or be) and the suffix –잖아, which is used to express something the listener should already know or to confirm a shared fact.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a polite version to use with people you are not close to or in a polite social setting, use 있잖아요, which adds the polite suffix –요 to the end.
How do you pronounce it?
itjana
Did you know?
- Korean has no single word for 'you', so the phrase 있잖아 effectively bypasses the need to address the listener directly while still indicating that the listener's attention is required.
- The word 있다 inside the phrase can mean 'to exist', 'to be located', or 'to possess'. By saying 있잖아, you are metaphorically suggesting that there is something 'existing' or 'present' that the listener needs to attend to.
- While 있잖아 is used to start a conversation, it can also be used as a way to gently trail off or hesitate when someone is nervous or unsure how to deliver bad news.
Examples in context
- 있잖아, 나 어제 꿈을 꿨어.itjana, na eoje kkumeul kkwo-sseo.You know what, I had a dream yesterday.
- 있잖아, 그거 진짜 맛있더라.itjana, geugeo jinjja masitdeora.You know what, that was really delicious.
- 있잖아, 나 할 말이 있어.itjana, na hal mari isseo.You know what, I have something to tell you.
Example conversation
Ji-eun wants to tell Hyeon-u about a movie she saw.
- 지은 Ji-eun있잖아, 그 영화 진짜 재미있었어!itjana, geu yeonghwa jinjja jaemi-isseosseo!You know what, that movie was really fun!
- 현우 Hyeon-woo정말? 나도 보고 싶다.jeongmal? nado bogo sipda.Really? I want to see it too.
- 지은 Ji-eun다음에 같이 보러 갈래?da-eume gachi boreo gallae?Do you want to go see it together next time?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo그래, 좋아!geurae, jo-a!Sure, sounds good!
