Korean

Syllable

지 • ‎(ji)

1. A Hangul syllabic block made up of ㅈ and ㅣ.

Etymology 2

First attested in the Seokbo sangjeol (釋譜詳節 / 석보상절), 1447, as 디.

Noun

지 • ‎(ji)

1. since (somebody) last (did something); from the time that

Usage notes

In the sense of "since", 지 indicates a period of time. The verb or adjective immediately preceding 지 must be in the attributive form (-ㄴ). This attributive form may follow the adverbs 못 or 안. Although 지 means ‘since’ as used with durations, usage differs from English ‘since’ insofar as the Korean verb preceding 지 should be negated where the English clause containing ‘since’ would not, and vice versa: Compare negative Korean “… 안 한 지” with positive English “since (somebody) last …ed”.

The 지 sentence must end in the combination of a timespan (for example 2주) or a question verb asking “how long” (for example 몇 주) and a verb such as 되다 or 지나다.

Examples:

• 어머니를 뵌 지 벌써 오래되었다.

  “It has already been a long time since I've seen my mother.”

• 머리를 못/안 감은 지 2주쯤 되면 느낌이 어떨까요?

  “What will it feel like when (somebody hasn't) washed (their) hair for two weeks?”

Compare 만 and 부터 which differ from 지 in usage.

Etymology 3

Of native Korean origin.

Suffix

지 • ‎(ji)

1. verb suffix used to seek affirmation, or to give the listener(s) an opportunity to express whether they can follow or not, to agree, or to confirm what is said:

   “어렵지요?”‎

   “eoryeopjiyo?”

   It's difficult, isn't it?

   “한국말을 이해하시지요?”‎

   “han-gungmareul ihaehasijiyo?”

   You understand Korean, right?

2. verb suffix a speaker uses to recommend a change in the listener's behaviour, or to soften imperatives:

   (To a hasty eater) “천천히 먹지”‎ ― “cheoncheonhi meokji” ― Eat slowly.

Etymology 4

Of native Korean origin.

Suffix

지 • ‎(ji)

1. suffix either marking the verb that is negated by following 못하다/않다, or marking what a following 말다 says not to do:

   “담배를 피우지 맙시다.”‎

   “dambaereul piuji mapsida.”

   Let's not smoke cigarettes.

   • 지 can optionally receive markers such as 는, 가, and 를:

     많지가 않아요‎ ― manchiga anayo ― … is not much

   • 지 is not used to form a negative copula:

     “다가 아니다”‎ ― “daga anida” ― … is not all

   • 지 is used when saying some action was a mistake (for example when regretting something), and when thinking about better not doing something:

     “… 서울에 오지 말 걸 그랬네요.”‎

     “ Seoure oji mal geol geuraenneyo.”

     “… shouldn't have come to Seoul.”

     “… 서울에 가지 말까 생각도 해 봤지만 ….”‎

     “ Seoure gaji malkka saenggakdo hae bwatjiman .”

     “… have/has been thinking about not going to Seoul, but …”

     But: “서울에 안 가는 게 나을 것 같지요.”‎

     “Seoure an ganeun ge na-eul geot gatjiyo.”

     Not going to Seoul seems better; don't you think so?

See also

• -ㄴ지 (-nji) / -는지 (neunji) / -ㄹ지 (-lji) / -던지 (-deonji)

Etymology 5

Colloquial variant of 저 (jeo, “oneself”)

Pronoun

지 • ‎(ji)

1. (colloquial) oneself; the aforementioned one

   지는 할 거 다 하고 살면서 맨날 나보고 뭐라 그래.‎

   Jineun hal geo da hago salmyeonseo maennal nabogo mwora geurae.

   He does all what he wants and he tells me off everyday!

Synonyms

• 자기 (jagi)

Etymology 6

Korean reading of various Chinese characters.

Noun

지 • ‎(ji, McCune-Reischauer: chi, Yale: ci) ‎(hanja 篪)

1. an ancient bamboo flute with five finger holes; used in aak