-어야지 (extra): Reminding Yourself You Really Should

-어야지 as self-talk means I really should… / alright, I will… — a reminder aimed at yourself.

Curriculum gloss: reminding yourself. This Intermediate 4 slot is supplementary: same ending as -어야지, revisited. 우리말샘 -어야지 「003」 / -아야지 「003」: monologue showing the speaker’s will. That is the focus here — not re-teaching every sense.

What it does — private resolve

운동해야지.
물 줘야지.
오늘은 일찍 자야지.
병원에도 한번 가봐야지.

Pet care (Unit 5): the animal does not hear your grammar — you are bracing yourself to follow through.

Forms (reminder)

Stem	Form
ㅏ/ㅗ	-아야지
other / 이다	-어야지

가야지 / 사야지
먹어야지 / 청소해야지

Why revisit — and what not to mix

Form	Job
-어야지 (main)	full map of the ending
-어야지 (this extra)	self-reminder spotlight
-어야 되다	must / have to
-어야겠-	necessity + -겠- colour

Dictionary also has connective condition (「001」) and hearer-directed attention/agreement (「002」). If you need those, return to -어야지 rather than stretching this gloss.

When to use — and when obligation is clearer

Use -어야지 when talking to yourself about a next good act.

Use -어야 되다 when stating external necessity to someone else.

Use -어야겠- when the resolve needs that -겠- package.

Practice rule: if nobody else is being ordered — you are bracing yourself — -어야지 fits.