-는구나Korean sentence ending · TOPIK 3

-neunguna

TOPIK 3 3급 Sentence Endings 종결 어미

(formal, highly addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to imply a certain feeling in a newly learned fact.

형태Forms

-는구나-구나

Which one you use is decided by what comes in front of it — see the usage rule under each meaning below.

(formal, highly addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to imply a certain feeling in a newly learned fact.

(아주낮춤으로) 새롭게 알게 된 사실에 어떤 느낌을 실어 말함을 나타내는 종결 어미.

쓰임Usage

Mainly used in speech, including when talking to oneself.

주로 구어나 혼잣말에서 쓴다.

예문Examples

어린아이들은 키가 금방 자라는구나.

Children really do grow tall so fast.

참으로 오랜만에 아버지의 고향에 와 보는구나.

It's been such a long time since I've come to my father's hometown.

이것저것 하다 보니 하루가 금방 지나가는구나.

Before I know it, the day passes by quickly while doing this and that.

대화In conversation

민준이는 음악을 가리지 않고 참 많이 듣는구나.

Minjun, you really listen to a lot of music, regardless of genre.

네, 저는 어떤 음악이든 다 좋아하거든요.

Yes, I like all kinds of music.

관련 문법Related grammar

Other sentence endings you will meet alongside this one.

-거든 -geodeun 거든요 (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending referring to the reason, cause, or basis for the preceding statement that the speaker thought… TOPIK 3 -는다 -neunda -ㄴ다 · -다 (formal, highly addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to describe an event or fact of the present. TOPIK 3 -니 -ni -으니 (formal, highly addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending referring to a question. TOPIK 3 -던데 -deonde -던데요 (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to admire something in the past while anticipating the listener's response. TOPIK 3 -자 -ja (formal, highly addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to indicate the suggestion to do a certain act together. TOPIK 3 -잖아 -jana -잖아요 (informal addressee-lowering) An expression used to check with or correct the listener on something about a certain situation. TOPIK 3

자주 묻는 질문Common questions

What does -는구나 mean in Korean?

-는구나 is a sentence ending introduced at 3급 (TOPIK 3). (formal, highly addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to imply a certain feeling in a newly learned fact.

When do you use -는구나?

Mainly used in speech, including when talking to oneself. The other shape is -구나 — same point, different environment.

What is the difference between -는구나 and -구나?

None in meaning — they are two shapes of the same sentence ending, and which one appears is decided by the sound in front of it, not by what you want to say.

What TOPIK level is -는구나?

3급 — TOPIK 3, lower intermediate. It is one of 67 grammar points at that level.

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