Let's -(으)ㅂ시다 / -자 in Korean

Overview

Korean has multiple ways to say "let's" at the CEFR A2 level. The formal propositive -(으)ㅂ시다 is used in speeches, meetings, and formal situations. The casual -자 is used among friends. The polite level uses either -(으)ㄹ까요 (with question nuance) or simply -아/어요 with suggestive intonation.

How It Works

Level	Pattern	Example	Translation
Formal	stem + (으)ㅂ시다	갑시다	Let's go (formal)
Casual	stem + 자	가자	Let's go (casual)
Polite	-(으)ㄹ까요 / -아/어요	갈까요 / 같이 가요	Shall we go / Let's go

Examples in Context

Korean	Romanization	English	Note
같이 갑시다.	ga-chi gap-si-da	Let's go together.	formal
밥 먹자!	bap meok-ja	Let's eat!	casual
시작합시다.	si-ja-kap-si-da	Let's begin.	formal
같이 가요.	ga-chi ga-yo	Let's go together.	polite
쉬자.	swi-ja	Let's rest.	casual
한잔 합시다.	han-jan hap-si-da	Let's have a drink.	formal
빨리 가자!	ppal-li ga-ja	Let's go quickly!	casual
다음에 만나요.	da-eu-me man-na-yo	Let's meet next time.	polite

Common Mistakes

Using -자 in formal situations

• Wrong: 시작하자 (to a boss or at a meeting)
• Right: 시작합시다 or 시작할까요
• Why: -자 is casual/반말 and inappropriate in formal or professional contexts.

Confusing -(으)ㅂ시다 formation with formal statement

• Wrong: Thinking 갑시다 is a statement
• Right: 갑시다 is a proposal ("let's go"), not a statement ("go")
• Why: The -(으)ㅂ시다 ending is exclusively propositive and always means "let's."

Usage Notes

The formal -(으)ㅂ시다 appears in slogans, military commands, and business meetings. -자 is extremely common among Korean friends and in casual group settings. Note that -자 has a contracted quotation form: 가자고 했어요 (he suggested we go). In modern polite speech, Koreans typically use -(으)ㄹ까요 or 같이 + -아/어요 rather than -(으)ㅂ시다.

An important social note: being the first to suggest 반말 (casual speech) or casual propositive forms like -자 is a significant social act. It implies closeness and equality. The invitation 반말하자 (let's speak casually) itself uses the -자 form and marks a deepening of the relationship.

In Korean group dynamics, -(으)ㅂ시다 is used by leaders or presenters to mobilize collective action. It carries authority and is the standard in motivational slogans: 함께 합시다 (let's do it together), 노력합시다 (let's make an effort). This makes it common in political campaigns and corporate messaging.

Practice Tips

• Practice formal proposals for workplace scenarios: 회의를 시작합시다. 같이 점심 먹읍시다.
• Use -자 with friends for casual plans: 영화 보자! 노래방 가자!
• Convert between all three levels for the same suggestion.

Related Concepts

• Prerequisite: Formal Ending -ㅂ니다/습니다 — formal level foundation