-자니
-jani
when (someone) suggests...
Built on the quotative '-자고 하니', this reports someone's suggestion or proposal as heard — used to express surprise about it, to give it as the basis for a judgment, or (very casually) to ask the listener what was proposed.
Form
- Attaches to
- Verb, Auxiliary
- Other shapes
- -자 · -자니까
Meanings
- 1
An expression used to indicate that the speaker is surprised or impressed by a recommendation or suggestion heard.
들은 권유나 제안의 내용에 대해 말하는 사람이 놀라거나 감탄함을 나타내는 표현.
※ ‘-자고 하다니’가 줄어든 말이다.
- 2
An expression used to indicate that the recommendation or suggestion heard is the basis for the speaker's judgment.
들은 권유나 제안이 판단의 근거임을 나타내는 표현.
※ '-자 하니'가 줄어든 말이다.
- 3
(formal, highly addressee-lowering) An expression used to ask about a recommendation or suggestion that the listener heard.
(아주낮춤으로) 듣는 사람이 들은 권유나 제안의 내용을 물어볼 때 쓰는 표현.
※ ‘-자고 하니’가 줄어든 말이다.
Examples
이제 와서 없던 일로 하자니 저는 그렇게 못 합니다.
To suggest treating it as if it never happened at this point — I can't do that.
오래 전부터 계획했던 일을 연기하자니 안 됩니다.
Suggesting we postpone something we've been planning for so long — that won't do.
이 밤에 영화를 보러 가자니 넌 피곤하지도 않니?
Suggesting we go watch a movie at this hour — aren't you tired?
금방 온다고 했으니까 좀 더 기다려 보자. 올 때까지 기다리자니 대체 언제까지 기다리자는 거예요?
They said they'd be here soon, so let's wait a bit longer. Wait until they come — just how long are you suggesting we wait?
네가 보자니 보겠지만 난 전쟁 영화는 좀 싫더라.
Since you're suggesting it, I'll watch it, but I'm not really into war movies.
아이들이 아침부터 고기를 먹자니 조금 부담스럽다.
The kids suggesting we eat meat first thing in the morning feels a bit much.
Examples: 한국어기초사전, CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.
Don’t confuse with
Forms with a close meaning — a favourite source of wrong answers on TOPIK.
Quick check
1. What does ‘-자니’ mean?
2. Which form means “when (someone) suggests...”?