[Korean grammar] -지 그래요? Giving Recommendations and Advice

가: 이 문법이 너무 어려워서 잘 모르겠어요.
This grammar point is so difficult to understand.
나: 그럼, 선생님께 여쭤 보지 그래요?
In that case, why not ask the teacher?

가: 옷을 샀는데 디자인이 맘에 안 들어요.
I bought some clothes, but I don’t care for the design.
나: 그럼, 다른 옷으로 바꾸거나 환불을 하지 그래요?
In that case, why don’t you exchange them for something else or get your money back?

This expression is used to suggest that someone do something. It is a much weaker and softer expression than -도록 하다.

가: 처음 가는 길이라서 어떻게 가야 할지 잘 모르겠어요.
It’s my first time going this way, so I don’t really know which way to go.
나: 길을 잘 모르면 택시를 타지 그래요?
If you don’t know the way, then why not take a taxi?

가: 휴대전화가 자꾸 고장이 나요.
My cell phone frequently gives me trouble.
나: 자꾸 고장이 나면 수리만 하지 말고 새 걸로 바꾸지 그래요?
If it gives you a lot of problems, then why not just get a new one instead of getting it repaired?

가: 친구를 만나러 명동에 가야 하는데 차가 막혀서 약속 시간까지 못 갈 것 같아.
I’ve got to go to Myeongdong to meet a friend, but I don’t think I can get there on time due to the traffic.
나: 눈이 와서 그런 것 같은데 약속을 연기하지 그래?
(The traffic’s) probably due to frie snow, so why not postpone your engagement?

1. When stating a reason in the preceding clause, -(으)니까 is used, not -아/어서
* 더워서 창문을 열지 그래요? (X)
->더우니까 창문을 열지 그래요? (〇)

2. The past tense form 지 그랬어요? is used to express one’s disapproval or regret about the fact that another person did not do something despite it having been the preferable course of action.
• 아픈데 참으면서 계속 일을 한 거예요? 많이 아프면 좀 쉬지 그랬어요?
Did you keep working even though you were in pain? If you were in that much pain, why didn’t you get some rest?

This sentence expresses the speaker’s feeling of pity about why another person did not take a break despite being in a lot of pain.