What does 그렇지 mean?

그렇지 (geu-reoh-ji, geureohji)

‘그렇지’ is often used to agree or affirm what someone says or does in conversation.

Korean word 그렇지 meaning agreement and encouragement

Definition & nuance

Core meaning and shades learners miss.

그렇지(geu-reoh-ji, geureohji)

‘그렇지’ is the informal form of ‘그렇다’, used to agree or affirm someone’s statement or situation.

Nuances

  • Friendly and natural way to agree
  • Can imply encouragement or praise
  • Informal, so not suitable for formal situations

When to use

Talking with friends, Encouragement, Agreement

In context

‘그렇지’ is mainly used in conversations to agree or encourage someone, and it’s an informal expression. It can be used independently as an interjection or attached at the end of a sentence to express affirmation.

Real-world examples

  • A: 오늘 날씨 정말 좋지? B: 그렇지!

    a: o-neul nal-ssi jeong-mal joh-ji? b: geu-reoh-ji!, a: o neul nal ssi jeong mal joh ji? b: geu reoh ji!

    ‘그렇지’ is used naturally to agree with the other person’s statement.

  • 그렇지, 너는 항상 최선을 다해.

    geu-reoh-ji, neo-neun hang-sang choe-seon-eul da-hae., geu reoh ji, neo neun hang sang choe seon eul da hae.

    ‘그렇지’ is used at the end of the sentence to encourage.

  • 그렇지 않니?

    geu-reoh-ji an-ni?, geu reoh ji an ni?

    ‘그렇지’ is used in a question form to seek agreement.

  • 그렇지! 너 오늘 늦었어.

    geu-reoh-ji! neo o-neul neuj-eoss-eo., geu reoh ji! neo o neul neuj eoss eo.

    ‘그렇지’ is used for agreement or affirmation, so it sounds odd with criticism.

Quick quiz

  1. Which best explains ‘그렇지’?

    ‘그렇지’를 가장 잘 설명한 것은?(‘geu-reoh-ji’reulga-jangjalseol-myeong-hangeos-eun?, ‘geureohji’reulgajangjalseolmyeonghangeoseun?)
  2. When is it inappropriate to use ‘그렇지’?

    ‘그렇지’를 사용할 때 적절하지 않은 상황은?(‘geu-reoh-ji’reulsa-yong-halttaejeok-jeol-ha-jian-eunsang-hwang-eun?, ‘geureohji’reulsayonghalttaejeokjeolhajianeunsanghwangeun?)

More meaning guides

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