Reported Speech: Suggestion (-자고 하다)

-자고 하다 is used to report suggestions or proposals. When someone says '같이 가자' (Let's go together), you can report it as 같이 가자고 했어요 (They suggested going together). The form is simple: attach -자고 to the verb stem.

This pattern only works with action verbs, not with descriptive verbs (adjectives), since you can only suggest doing an action. The subject of the suggestion and the reported sentence may differ, but context usually makes it clear who suggested what.

-자고 하다 is essential for relaying plans and invitations. It's commonly combined with other expressions: 같이 밥 먹자고 했는데 시간이 없대요 (They suggested eating together, but they said they don't have time). Understanding all four reported speech patterns is a key requirement for TOPIK Level 3.