거든요 VS 잖아요

If you watch Korean dramas, 

you’ve probably noticed that characters often say ‘거든요’ and ‘잖아요’ in conversations. 

In fact, native Korean speakers use these expressions all the time in daily life.

However, many Korean learners struggle to understand when and how to use them correctly. 

So let’s break it down with clear explanations and lots of examples.

1. 거든요

- ‘거든요’ is used when you want to add information that the listener might not know.

- ‘거든요’ is also used when explaining a reason that the listener might not know.

- ‘거든요’ sounds soft and explanatory rather than blunt.

- ‘거든요’ is often used in response to a question or to add more detail to a statement.

- ‘거든요’ feels casual and natural in spoken Korean. (It is not used in formal writing.)

< Examples >

가: 왜 늦었어요?  (Why were you late?)

나: 차가 너무 막혔거든요. (Because the traffic was really bad.)

➡ Giving a reason for being late, assuming that '가' doesn’t know about the traffic.

저는 매운 음식을 못 먹어요. 위가 약하거든요. (I can’t eat spicy food. Because my stomach is weak)

➡ Giving background information on why you can’t eat spicy food, assuming the listener doesn’t know.

                 

가: 오늘 기분이 좋아 보여요! (You look happy today!)

나: 맞아요. 오늘 제 생일이거든요. (That’s right. It’s my birthday today!)

➡ Giving background information on why you’re feeling happy, assuming the listener doesn’t know.

저는 한국어를 열심히 공부해요. 한국 회사에서 일하고 싶거든요.  (I study Korean hard because I want to work at a Korean company.)

➡ Explaining the reason for studying Korean, assuming the listener does not know it.

2. 잖아요

- ‘잖아요’ is used when adding information that the speaker assumes the listener already knows.

- ‘잖아요’ is also used when explaining a reason that the speaker assumes the listener already knows.

- ‘잖아요’ is often used to correct someone or to emphasize that something is obvious.

- ‘잖아요’ is often used in response to a question or to add more detail to a statement.

- ‘잖아요’ feels casual and natural in spoken Korean. (It is not used in formal writing.)

< Examples >

가: 오늘 회사에 안 가요? (Are you not going to work today?)

나: 네, 오늘 휴일이잖아요. (No, because today is a holiday, as you know.)

➡ In this case, '나' assumes that '가' already knows that today is a holiday.

저는 매일 채소를 먹어요. 채소는 건강에 좋잖아요.  (I eat vegetables everyday. You know, vegetables are good for your health.)

➡ Explaining the reason for eating vegetables every day, assuming the listener already knows it.

가: 지민 씨가 요리를 잘할까요? (Do you think 지민 is good at cooking?)

나: 그럼요! 요리사잖아요. (Of course! He’s a chef!)

➡ '나' is certain that '가' already knows that 지민 is a chef and is reminding '가' of that fact.

저는 한국어를 열심히 공부해요. 요즘 한국어가 인기가 있잖아요.  (I study Korean hard. You know, Korean is popular these days.)         

➡ Explaining the reason for studying Korean, assuming the listener already knows that Korean is popular.

[ Quick Tip ]

1) '거든요' is similar to 'Because...actually' in English

예: 오늘 학교에 안 가요. 저는 아프거든요. (I’m not going to school today because I’m actually sick.)

2) '잖아요' conveys the meaning of 'As you know' or 'Don’t you remember?' in English

예: 오늘 학교에 안 가요. 일요일이잖아요. (I’m not going to school today. You know, today is Sunday.)

If you have any additional questions, feel free to ask in the comments!😊