Learn Hardcore Korean: cheoeumeneun mangseoryeossjiman jigeumeun gateun uigyeoniya, geuraeseo donguihae. - I hesitated at first, but now I have the same opinion, so I agree.

The -은/는 here marks topics and creates contrast: 처음에는 = “as for at first,” 지금은 = “as for now.” Pairing them highlights a change over time. You could say 처음에 and 지금 without -는, but you’d lose some of that contrastive nuance. 처음엔 is just a colloquial contraction of 처음에는.

Why is 망설였지만 in the past tense?

Because it refers to a past state that contrasts with the present: “I hesitated (before), but now…” Using present (망설이지만) would sound off here. You can also say 망설이긴 했지만 for “I did hesitate, but…,” which adds a slight concessive nuance.

How is 망설였지만 formed from 망설이다?

Dictionary form: 망설이다 (to hesitate)
Present stem contraction: 망설이 + 어요 → 망설여요
Past: 망설였- (from 망설여 + 았/었)
Connective: 망설였지만 = “although I hesitated”

Why use the clausal ending -지만 instead of 하지만?

-지만 attaches to the preceding verb/adjective: 망설였지만.
하지만 starts a new sentence: 처음에는 망설였어. 하지만 지금은… Both are correct; -지만 keeps it in one sentence, 하지만 splits it into two for stronger pause/contrast.

What’s the nuance difference between 지금은 and 이제는?

Both can mean “now,” but:

지금은 focuses on the current time point.
이제는 adds the sense of “from now (on)/by now,” often implying a change has just taken effect. In this sentence, either works; 이제는 can slightly emphasize the shift more emotionally.

What does 같은 의견이야 literally mean, and do I need to say “as you”?

Literally “(I have) the same opinion.” Korean often omits the reference when it’s obvious from context. If you want to make it explicit:

너랑 의견이 같아. (My opinion is the same as yours.)
네 의견에 동의해. (I agree with your opinion.)
나도 같은 의견이야. (I’m of the same opinion too.)

Is 같은 의견이야 natural? Are there alternatives?

Yes, it’s natural. Other common ways:

의견이 같아.
같은 생각이야. (a bit more casual)
나도 그래. / 맞아. (very conversational)

Why is it 의견이야 and not 의견이에요 or 의견입니다?

The sentence is in casual speech (반말):

Casual: 의견이야
Polite: 의견이에요
Formal: 의견입니다 Also note the copula rule:
After a consonant-ending noun: 이야/이에요/입니다 (e.g., 의견이야)
After a vowel-ending noun: 야/예요/입니다 (e.g., 친구야, 친구예요)

Is saying both 같은 의견이야 and 그래서 동의해 redundant?

A bit, yes, because “having the same opinion” implies agreement. But saying both is fine for emphasis or clarity: “I share your view, so I agree.” In tighter style, you could keep just one: 지금은 동의해. or 지금은 의견이 같아.

How do I correctly use particles with 동의하다?

Standard patterns:

Agree to/with something: N에 동의하다 (e.g., 그 제안에 동의해)
Agree with someone: N에게/한테 동의하다 (less common than the “something” pattern, but used)
You’ll also hear N에 대해 동의하다 (“agree about/regarding N”) and even N을 동의하다 in casual speech, but N에 동의하다 is the safest.

What’s the difference between 동의하다, 찬성하다, and saying 맞아?

동의하다: to agree with an opinion/claim (semantic agreement).
찬성하다: to be in favor/support of a proposal/plan (endorsement).
맞아: “That’s right/You’re correct” (acknowledging correctness), very conversational.
Context example: you might 동의하다 with someone’s argument and also 찬성하다 with their proposed action.

Can I say 동의하고 있어 to mean “I’m agreeing”?

It’s grammatical but awkward in most contexts because “agree” is a state, not an ongoing activity. Use the simple present: 동의해(요). Use 동의하게 됐어(요) if you want to express “I came to agree (now).”

Is the comma before 그래서 okay? Could it be a new sentence?

Yes. Korean writing often uses either:

…, 그래서 … (same sentence with a comma), or
… 그래서 … / …. 그래서 … (start a new sentence). All are acceptable stylistically.

Why is the subject omitted? How would I include it?

Subjects are often dropped when obvious. Here it’s “I.” To include it:

Casual: 나는 처음에는 망설였지만 지금은 같은 의견이야, 그래서 동의해.
Polite: 저는 처음에는 망설였지만 지금은 같은 의견이에요, 그래서 동의해요.

How do I make the whole sentence polite or formal?

Polite: 처음에는 망설였지만 지금은 같은 의견이에요. 그래서 동의해요.
Formal: 처음에는 망설였지만 지금은 같은 의견입니다. 그래서 동의합니다.
Concise polite option: 처음에는 망설였지만 지금은 동의해요.

Could I use -아서/어서 instead of 그래서?

Yes. You can integrate the reason into one clause:

지금은 의견이 같아서 동의해. (Since our opinions are the same, I agree.) This is slightly tighter and very natural.

What’s the pronunciation of 의 in 의견 and 동의해?

Inside words, 의 is usually pronounced [의]. So:

의견 ≈ [의견]
동의해 ≈ [동의해] As the possessive particle 의 (e.g., 한국의), it’s often pronounced [에] in casual speech, but that’s not the case here.

Any synonym for 망설이다 and nuance?

주저하다: also “to hesitate,” a bit more formal/literary.
고민하다: “to agonize/deliberate,” emphasizes thinking it over rather than the pause in action. All can fit, but 망설이다 focuses most on the hesitation itself.