이나Korean particle · TOPIK 2
ina
One particle with 4 distinct uses in the dictionary. Each is below with its own usage rule and examples.
형태Forms
Which one you use is decided by what comes in front of it — see the usage rule under each meaning below.
A postpositional particle used to indicate something is being chosen though it is not satisfactory.
만족스럽지는 않지만 선택함을 나타내는 조사.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after nouns, pronouns and numerals ending in a consonant or adverbials (and similar forms).
받침 있는 명사, 대명사, 수사, 또는 부사어 등의 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
피곤한데 잠이나 자자.
I'm tired, so let's just get some sleep.
기분도 별론데 어디 가서 술이나 마시자.
I'm not in a great mood either, so let's go somewhere and have a drink.
남의 일에 간섭하지 말고 네 일이나 신경 써.
Stop meddling in other people's business and worry about your own.
대화In conversation
우리 스테이크 먹으러 가요.
Let's go get steak.
돈도 없는데 그냥 자장면이나 먹으러 가자.
We don't have money, so let's just go get some jjajangmyeon.
A postpositional particle used to indicate that one acts in a certain manner though it is untrue.
사실은 그렇지 않지만 그런 것처럼 행동함을 나타내는 조사.
쓰임Usage
주로 빈정거리는 의미를 나타낼 때, 받침 있는 명사, 대명사, 수사, 또는 부사어 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
김 의원은 무슨 왕이나 되는 것처럼 거만하다.
Assemblyman Kim is arrogant as if he were some kind of king.
다리가 천근만근이나 되는 것처럼 무거워서 걸을 수가 없다.
My legs are so heavy I can't walk, as if they weighed a ton.
민준이는 자기가 그 장소의 주인이나 되는 것처럼 당당한 태도를 보였다.
Minjun acted as if he were the owner of the place, with such a confident attitude.
대화In conversation
너는 왜 승규를 싫어해?
Why do you dislike Seunggyu?
승규는 자기가 대장이나 되는 것처럼 남한테 명령해.
Seunggyu orders people around as if he were the boss.
A postpositional particle used to indicate that the amount of something is larger than expected or to emphasize a large amount.
수량이 예상되는 정도를 넘거나 꽤 크거나 많음을 강조하는 조사.
쓰임Usage
주로 놀람의 의미를 나타낼 때, 수량이나 정도를 나타내는, 받침 있는 명사, 대명사, 수사, 또는 부사어 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
민준이는 배고프다며 자장면을 세 그릇이나 먹었다.
Minjun said he was hungry and ate as many as three bowls of jjajangmyeon.
차가 막히는 바람에 서울에서 부산까지 열 시간이나 걸렸다.
Because of the traffic, it took as long as ten hours from Seoul to Busan.
그 가수의 콘서트를 보기 위해 만 명이나 되는 사람들이 모였다.
As many as ten thousand people gathered to see that singer's concert.
대화In conversation
벌써 유월이라니 시간이 참 빠른 것 같아.
It's already June; time really flies.
그러게. 눈 깜짝할 새에 올해가 반이나 지나갔네.
I know. Half the year has passed in the blink of an eye.
A postpositional particle used to make a rough guess at the amount or extent.
수량이나 정도를 대강 짐작할 때 쓰는 조사.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after nouns, pronouns and numerals denoting a quantity or a degree and ending in a consonant or adverbials.
수량이나 정도를 나타내는, 받침 있는 명사, 대명사, 수사, 또는 부사어 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
지금 미국은 몇 시쯤이나 됐나요?
What time is it in the US now, roughly?
광장에 모인 사람들은 한 백여 명이나 돼 보였다.
The people gathered in the square looked to be about a hundred or so.
밤낮으로 열심히 했더니 작업을 벌써 반이나 끝냈다.
I worked hard day and night, so I've already finished about half the work.
대화In conversation
그 아이, 몇 살이나 됐을까?
How old do you think that kid is?
아마 열 살쯤 돼 보였어.
He looked about ten, I guess.
관련 문법Related grammar
Other particles you will meet alongside this one.
자주 묻는 질문Common questions
What does 이나 mean in Korean?
이나 is a particle introduced at 2급 (TOPIK 2). A postpositional particle used to indicate something is being chosen though it is not satisfactory. It has 4 distinct senses, all listed on this page.
When do you use 이나?
Attaches after nouns, pronouns and numerals ending in a consonant or adverbials (and similar forms). The other shape is 나 — same point, different environment.
What is the difference between 이나 and 나?
None in meaning — they are two shapes of the same particle, and which one appears is decided by the sound in front of it, not by what you want to say.
What TOPIK level is 이나?
2급 — TOPIK 2, elementary. It is one of 45 grammar points at that level.
Definition, usage note, examples and dialogue from the 국립국어원 한국어기초사전, used under CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.