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-나Korean sentence ending · TOPIK 6

-na

TOPIK 6 6급Sentence Endings 종결 어미question 의문2 senses

One sentence ending with 2 distinct uses in the dictionary. Each is below with its own usage rule and examples.

(informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used when asking or assuming something.

(두루낮춤으로) 물음이나 추측을 나타내는 종결 어미.

쓰임Usage

Usually used as -나 하다, -나 싶다 or -나 보다. Also used when talking to oneself.

주로 ‘-나 하다', '-나 싶다', '-나 보다’로 쓴다. 혼잣말로도 쓴다.

예문Examples

이제 이 일을 어떡하나?

What should I do now?

어제 무슨 일이 있었나?

What happened yesterday?

오늘 그 사람이 오나?

Is he coming today?

대화In conversation

어제 내가 민준이한테 화를 냈는데 좀 심했나 봐.

I got angry at Minjun yesterday, and I think I was too harsh.

그래서 오늘 민준이가 너한테 한마디도 안 하는구나?

That's why he's not saying a word to you today, right?

(formal, moderately addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending referring to a question.

(예사 낮춤으로) 물음을 나타내는 종결 어미.

쓰임Usage

Usually attaches after verbs, the honorific -으시-, the past -었- or the future -겠-.

주로 동사 또는 ‘-으시-’, ‘-었-’, ‘-겠-’ 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.

예문Examples

요즘 일이 그렇게 많나?

Are you that busy these days?

장 군은 올해 졸업하나?

Are you graduating this year, Jang?

자네는 바둑을 둘 줄 아나?

Do you know how to play Go?

대화In conversation

선생님, 그동안 안녕하셨습니까?

Teacher, how have you been?

그래. 자네 소식은 들었네. 얼마나 고생이 많았나?

Yes, I heard about you. How much have you been through?

관련 문법Related grammar

Other sentence endings you will meet alongside this one.

-거들랑 -geodeullang -걸랑 (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending referring to the reason, cause, or basis for the preceding statement that the speaker thought… TOPIK 6 -게 -ge (formal, moderately addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used when ordering a person who is younger or has close friendly ties with you. TOPIK 6 -게 -ge (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to indicate the following content would obviously be realized if the preceding content… TOPIK 6 -구려 -guryeo (formal, moderately addressee-raising) A sentence-final ending used to indicate that the speaker is impressed by a newly realized fact. TOPIK 6 -그려 geuryeo A postpositional particle used when the speaker talks about what he/she says to the listener in a friendly manner. TOPIK 6 -네 -ne (formal, moderately addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending referring to a simple description. TOPIK 6

자주 묻는 질문Common questions

What does -나 mean in Korean?

-나 is a sentence ending introduced at 6급 (TOPIK 6). (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used when asking or assuming something. It has 2 distinct senses, all listed on this page.

When do you use -나?

Usually used as -나 하다, -나 싶다 or -나 보다. Also used when talking to oneself.

What TOPIK level is -나?

6급 — TOPIK 6, mastery. It is one of 56 grammar points at that level.

Definition, usage note, examples and dialogue from the 국립국어원 한국어기초사전, used under CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.