잖아 (jan-a, jana) · 잖아요 (jan-a-yo, janayo)
잖아 and 잖아요 share the same meaning, but 잖아 is informal and used in casual speech, while 잖아요 is polite and used in formal or respectful contexts.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Informal ending used to emphasize or confirm a fact the listener already knows, in casual speech
When to use
talking with friends, family conversation, emphasis in casual setting
The nuance
Used only in informal speech with friends or close people; not polite or formal.
Polite ending used to emphasize or confirm a fact the listener already knows, in respectful or formal speech
When to use
workplace conversation, talking with strangers, emphasis in polite context
The nuance
Used in polite speech situations; appropriate when speaking respectfully or formally.
너 그거 알잖아.
neo geu-geo al-jan-a., neo geu geo al jan a.
Natural sentence emphasizing a fact in informal speech with a friend.
너 그거 알잖아요.
neo geu-geo al-jan-a-yo., neo geu geo al jan a yo.
Using polite 잖아요 with a close friend in informal context is unnatural.
선생님, 그거 아시잖아요.
seon-saeng-nim, geu-geo a-si-jan-a-yo., seon saeng nim, geu geo a si jan a yo.
Polite 잖아요 used appropriately to emphasize in a respectful context.
선생님, 그거 알잖아.
seon-saeng-nim, geu-geo al-jan-a., seon saeng nim, geu geo al jan a.
Using informal 잖아 toward a teacher is disrespectful.
우리 집에 가잖아.
u-ri jip-e ga-jan-a., u ri jip e ga jan a.
Natural use of informal 잖아 in a friendly context.
우리 집에 가잖아요.
u-ri jip-e ga-jan-a-yo., u ri jip e ga jan a yo.
Polite 잖아요 is natural in polite situations.
너 지금 뭐 하잖아?
neo ji-geum mwo ha-jan-a?, neo ji geum mwo ha jan a?
Natural informal usage to confirm an action with a friend.
너 지금 뭐 하잖아요?
neo ji-geum mwo ha-jan-a-yo?, neo ji geum mwo ha jan a yo?
Polite usage to confirm an action respectfully.
Which expression should you use to emphasize a fact to a friend?
Which expression is appropriate to emphasize a fact to a boss?
Which expression is natural in family conversation?
