-느니Korean connective · TOPIK 5
-neuni
One connective with 2 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 connective ending used when the following statement is better than the preceding statement.
앞에 오는 말보다는 뒤에 오는 말이 더 나음을 나타내는 연결 어미.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after 있다, 없다, 계시다, verbs or the honorific -으시-.
'있다', '없다', '계시다', 동사 또는 ‘-으시-’ 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
아무것도 안 하고 시간을 때우느니 뭐라도 할 일을 찾자.
Rather than wasting time doing nothing, let's find something to do.
이렇게 정신 못 차리는 네 꼴을 보느니 차라리 집에 돌아가겠어.
Rather than watching you act like this and not pull yourself together, I'd rather go back home.
아까운 공간을 놀리느니 다른 사람들이 쓸 수 있게 하는 게 낫겠다.
Rather than wasting this precious space, it's better to let others use it.
대화In conversation
우리 모두 이렇게 어색하게 앉아 있느니 서로 자기소개라도 하는 게 어떨까요?
Rather than all of us sitting here awkwardly, how about we introduce ourselves to each other?
좋은 생각이네요.
That sounds like a good idea.
A connective ending used when listing words, thoughts, opinions, etc., that are usually the opposite of one another.
주로 서로 반대되는 말이나 생각, 의견 등을 나열함을 나타내는 연결 어미.
쓰임Usage
‘있다’, ‘없다’, ‘계시다’나 ‘있다’, ‘없다’로 끝나는 형용사, 동사 또는 ‘-으시-’, ‘-었-’, ‘-겠-’ 뒤에 붙여 쓰고, 주로 '-느니 -느니'로 쓴다.
예문Examples
우리는 이 음식을 시키느니 마느니 하며 시끄러웠다.
We were arguing over whether to order this dish or not.
민준이가 발표를 끝내자 잘했느니 못했느니 별별 수군거림이 다 들려왔다.
As soon as Minjun finished his presentation, all sorts of gossip started—whether he did well or not.
박 대리는 이렇게 벌어서는 사느니 못사느니 하며 불평을 늘어놓았다.
Manager Park kept complaining about whether we could make a living this way or not.
대화In conversation
사람들은 다른 사람이 일을 잘하면 왜 이렇게 시샘을 하는지 모르겠어요.
I don't understand why people get so jealous when others do well.
남들이 아무리 다른 사람이 잘하느니 못하느니 해도 자기만 똑바로 잘하면 괜찮아.
No matter what people say about others doing well or not, it's fine as long as you do well yourself.
관련 문법Related grammar
Other connectives you will meet alongside this one.
자주 묻는 질문Common questions
What does -느니 mean in Korean?
-느니 is a connective introduced at 5급 (TOPIK 5). A connective ending used when the following statement is better than the preceding statement. It has 2 distinct senses, all listed on this page.
When do you use -느니?
Attaches after 있다, 없다, 계시다, verbs or the honorific -으시-. The other shape is -느니보다, -느니보다는 — same point, different environment.
What is the difference between -느니 and -느니보다?
None in meaning — they are two shapes of the same connective, and which one appears is decided by the sound in front of it, not by what you want to say.
What TOPIK level is -느니?
5급 — TOPIK 5, advanced. 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.