[UKR-174] -나 / -(으)ㄴ가 — speculative/question markers

Type	Example	Past	Present (processive)	Future (prospective)	Retrospective
AV (vowel)	하다	했는가	하는가	하겠는가	하던가
AV (cons.)	듣다	들었는가	듣는가	듣겠는가	듣던가
DV (vowel)	빠르다	빨랐는가	빠른가	빠르겠는가	빠르던가
DV (cons.)	어둡다	어두웠는가	어두운가	어두우겠는가	어둡던가
Noun (vowel)	남자	남자였는가	남자인가	남자일 것인가	남자던가
Noun (cons.)	사람	사람이었는가	사람인가	사람일 것인가	사람이던가

Where:
AV = action verb / processive verb.
DV = descriptive verb / ‘adjective’.
Nouns take the copula (이다) and this becomes a DV.

*NB: Present DVs use -(으)ㄴ가, AVs use -는가. Past tense uses -았/었는가. Future tense uses -겠는가 or -ㄹ 것인가 (copula form). Retrospective uses -던가.

Introduction
History
-나 VS -ㄴ가
-ㄴ가 as a particle?
i) Genuine question
ii) Uncertain statement
iii) Polite disagreement
iv) Emotional reaction
v) Thinking aloud
Expanded forms

나 보다 / ㄴ가 보다
나 싶다 / ㄴ가 싶다
나 하다 / ㄴ가 하다
나 하면 / ㄴ가 하면

Additional details
Associated grammar
See also
Bibliography
User examples

Introduction

Endings -나 and -(으)ㄴ가 are functional allomorphs. That is, they are phonologically distinct variants with the same grammatical function. In fact, -나 emerged from -ㄴ가 through phonological reduction. Over time, -나 has steadily replaced -ㄴ가 and is now seven times more frequent in modern use.

While older grammar references suggest -ㄴ가 is used with descriptive verbs and -나 with action verbs, recent studies show that this distinction no longer exists in modern Korean. Nowadays, only minor stylistic preferences remain.

History

In Middle Korean (15th century), the plain-style question ending was “nka”. That is, the present tense marker “n” + the question particle “ka”.

Around the 1800s, the “k” sound in “nka” started to disappear when used with 있 and 었 forms, making it sound like “na”. Then, this “na” variant spread to more verbs like 하다 and 알다, and speakers soon began to treat -나 as a separate ending. By around the 1860s, -나 was more common in everyday Korean. It was used for plain-style questions, tentative statements, and rhetorical comments.

Today, -나 and -ㄴ가 are mostly used in the same way. Both endings mean the same thing, and learners can treat them as one form with two shapes.

-나 VS -ㄴ가

Current studies advise teaching -나 and -ㄴ가 together as interchangeable variants. They are essentially the same form with no difference in semantic and pragmatic function (what they mean and why they are used).

The main difference is that -나 is simpler and more flexible, so speakers use it more often and in more contexts. According to conversational data, -나 is used about seven times more often than -ㄴ가.

-ㄴ가 as a particle?

Some scholars suggest -ㄴ가 should be deemed a particle with phrases like 누군가 (somebody) and 어딘가(somewhere). In these cases, -ㄴ가 does not function like a verb ending, but as a particle which forms noun phrases expressing indefiniteness.

However, others will argue that -ㄴ가 isn’t a true particle because -ㄴ가 cannot freely attach to all nouns and has limited productivity.

Expand for examples of -ㄴ가 noun phrases

-ㄴ가 expression	English meaning
누군가	someone
무엇인가	something
어딘가	somewhere
언젠가	sometime
왜인가	for some reason
어떻게인가	somehow
몇 번인가	several times
어느 순간엔가	at some point
누구인가	someone
무슨 일인가	something happened
어떤 사람인가	someone of some kind
얼마인가	how much (approx.)
몇 사람인가	a few people
어디론가	to somewhere
누구에겐가	to someone
어느 날엔가	some day
언제부터인가	since some point
무슨 이유에서인가	for some reason
어디에선가	from somewhere
언제인가부터	since some time
어떤 날엔가	on some day

i) Genuine question

In this usage, -나/-ㄴ가 is used for genuine information-seeking questions. The speaker directs the question toward the listener, who is assumed to be more informed about the topic. These endings highlight the speaker’s uncertainty while giving the floor to the listener. This epistemic stance makes the question sound less forceful or demanding than a neutral factual question.

이 노래 누가 불렀나?
이 노래 누가 불렀는가?
Who sang this song?

Here, the speaker is trying to identify the singer of the song and uses -나/-ㄴ가 to seek the listener’s knowledge.

지금 주문하면 오늘 도착하나요?
지금 주문하면 오늘 도착하는가요?
If I order now, will it arrive today?

Here, -나/-ㄴ가 highlights the speaker’s uncertainty about the delivery time and requests the listener to provide it.

Key features of genuine question -나/-ㄴ가:
• Used when the speaker genuinely does not know the answer.
• Marks the speaker’s uncertainty and requests the listener’s knowledge.
• Carries a softer tone than other question endings.

More examples:

ultimateKOREAN examples:

오늘 회의가 있나요?
Is there a meeting today?

내일 비가 오나?
Will it rain tomorrow?

이게 네가 말한 그 식당이었나?
Was this the restaurant you mentioned?

대통령이 방금 연설을 끝냈나요?
Did the president just finish the speech?

그 영화는 어디에서 촬영했나?
Where was that movie filmed?

점심시간에 카페에 자리가 나나?
Are there usually seats at the café during lunch?

그 분이 아직 회사에 계시나?
Is he still at the office?

Examples from NIKL 사전:

요즘도 많이 바쁜가?
Are you still very busy these days?

자네는 어디가 아픈가?
Are you feeling unwell somewhere?

회사를 그만둔다는 것이 사실인가?
Is it true that you’re quitting your job?

가: 여보게, 새로 시작한 일이 힘든가?
가: Hey, is the new job difficult?
나: 음. 생각처럼 쉽지는 않네.
나: Hmm. It’s not as easy as I thought.

그대가 받은 돈이 적은가?
Was the money you received too little?

자네 얼굴은 왜 그리 붉은가?
Why is your face so red?

자네가 그 상황이라면 어떻게 하는 것이 옳은가?
If you were in that situation, what would be the right thing to do?

가: 여기에 모인 사람들이 얼마나 많은가?
가: How many people are gathered here?
나: 대략 서른 명 정도 됩니다.
나: About thirty people.

김 군은 미국으로 언제 떠나는가?
When is Mr. Kim leaving for the U.S.?

자네 표정이 좋지 않은데 무슨 일이 있는가?
You don’t look well — is something wrong?

가: 오래 기다렸는가?
가: Have you been waiting long?
나: 아닐세. 나도 좀 아까 왔다네.
나: Not at all. I just got here, too.

가: 자네는 이 식당에 와 본 적이 있다던데 여기 음식이 맛있던가?
가: I heard you’ve been to this restaurant before. Is the food good here?
나: 그럼요. 모두에게 맛을 보여 주고 싶어서 오늘 여기에 오자고 한 겁니다.
나: Of course. I wanted everyone to taste it, so I suggested we come here today.

Examples from 표준국어대사전:

자네 언제 떠나나?
When are you leaving?

자네 그 소식 듣고 얼마나 기뻤나?
How happy were you when you heard the news?

여보게, 자네가 날 도와주겠나?
Hey, could you help me out?

어제 무슨 일이 있었나?
What happened yesterday?

자네 어디 아픈가?
Are you feeling unwell?

그래, 아버님은 안녕하신가?
So, is your father doing well?

이 우물은 얼마나 깊은가?
How deep is this well?

시간 좀 있는가?
Do you have a moment?

가진 돈 좀 없는가?
Do you have any money on you?

지금 뭐 하시는가?
What are you doing right now?

ii) Uncertain statement

In this usage, -나/-ㄴ가 is used not to ask a question, but to tentatively assert a fact. The speaker is unsure of the situation but still offers a possible truth. This form often appears when the speaker is thinking aloud or offering a guess during a narrative or explanation. The question form is retained, but the intent is not to seek an answer. Rather, it signals the speaker’s partial knowledge and invites shared consideration.

아직 버스가 안 왔나?
아직 버스가 안 왔는가?
The bus still hasn’t come yet?

Here, the speaker is looking out at the bus stop and offering an observation. The sentence reads like a question, but it functions more as a tentative claim. The speaker thinks the bus hasn’t arrived yet, but leaves room for correction or confirmation.

휴게실이 저쪽이었나?
휴게실이 저쪽이었는가?
Was the break room over there, maybe?

In this example, the speaker is trying to recall a detail and offers a possible answer. The use of -나/-ㄴ가 shows that the speaker isn’t sure but still wants to put the idea forward. It expresses doubt while gently inviting a response.

Key features of uncertain statement -나/-ㄴ가:
• Used when the speaker is unsure but still proposes an idea.
• Does not seek a direct answer, but signals partial knowledge.
• Often appears during explanation, recall, or self-talk.

More examples:

ultimateKOREAN examples:

여기 문이 잠겼나?
I think the door here might be locked.

저 분이 오늘 새로 온 선생님이었나?
I guess they were the new teacher today.

지금쯤 회의가 끝났나?
I suppose the meeting is over by now.

이게 어제 말한 그 문제였나?
So this was the issue you mentioned yesterday?

그 사람이 너한테 전화했나요?
I think they called you.

벌써 10시가 넘었나?
Is it already past 10?

아이들이 아직도 안 자나?
The kids are still up, huh?

Examples from NIKL 사전:

오늘 그 사람이 오나?
Is that person coming today?

밖에 눈이 오나?
Is it snowing outside?

공연에 대한 관객들의 반응이 어떻던가?
How did the audience respond to the performance?

Examples from 표준국어대사전:

밖에 비가 오나?
Is it raining outside?

누구를 택할 것인가는 누가 더 젊은가에 달려 있다.
Who to choose depends on who is younger.

iii) Polite disagreement

In this usage, -나/-ㄴ가 is used to politely challenge a prior statement or assumption. The speaker does not directly confront the other person’s view, but instead uses -나/-ㄴ가 (a question form) to express doubt. Because the sentence ends as a question, the disagreement feels softer and more indirect. This allows the speaker to maintain politeness while signalling that they may not agree.

이 정도면 충분하겠나요?
이 정도면 충분하겠는가요?
Is this really going to be enough?

Here, the speaker challenges the assumption that “this much will be enough”, questioning it using -나/-ㄴ가. The tone is not confrontational, but it clearly expresses doubt and invites reconsideration.

그게 그렇게 큰 문제였나?
그게 그렇게 큰 문제였는가?
Was that really such a big issue?

Here, -나/-ㄴ가 is used to question a belief that something was a serious problem. It is used to frame the speaker’s doubt as a question, softening the disagreement.

Key features of polite disagreement -나/-ㄴ가:
• Used to question or challenge another’s view without direct confrontation.
• Softens doubt by framing it as a question.
• Maintains goodwill between speakers by using a polite and neutral tone.

More examples:

ultimateKOREAN examples:

그게 그렇게 쉬운 일이었나요?
Was it really that easy?

그 사람 말이 다 맞나?
Is everything he said really true?

이게 최선의 방법이었나요?
Was this really the best approach?

이런 얘길 꼭 지금 해야 하나?
Do we really have to talk about this now?

그렇게 생각하는 사람이 많나?
Are there really that many people who think that?

그게 네가 할 말이었나요?
Was that really something you should’ve said?

그렇게 결정해도 괜찮나?
Is it really okay to decide like that?

Examples from NIKL 사전:

요즘 일이 그렇게 많나?
Do you have that much work these days?

그 친구가 그렇게 말하던가?
Did that friend really say that?

Examples from 표준국어대사전:

그게 정말인가?
Is that really true?

그 사람이 그렇게 좋은가?
Is that person really that great?

iv) Emotional reaction

In this usage, -나/-ㄴ가 expresses an emotional reaction, not a request for information. The speaker already knows the situation but uses the question form to convey feelings like frustration, disbelief, or blame. These are rhetorical questions where the speaker doesn’t expect an answer. Instead, the question form adds intensity, highlighting how unexpected or unfair the situation feels.

이렇게 더운 날에 등산을 가나?
이렇게 더운 날에 등산을 가는가?
Who goes hiking on a day this hot?

Here, the speaker knows who/how/why someone is going hiking. The question isn’t about finding out information, but instead expresses disbelief and criticism.

왜 나한테만 그러냐?
왜 나한테만 그러는가?
Why is it always me?

Here, the speaker feels singled out and uses the rhetorical question to show irritation. The form doesn’t seek a reply, but instead dramatizes the speaker’s sense of unfairness.

Key features of emotional reaction -나/-ㄴ가:
• Used when the speaker already knows the situation.
• Typically expresses disbelief, blame, or irritation.
• The question form adds force and highlights the speaker’s stance.

More examples:

ultimateKOREAN examples:

이걸 지금 해야 하나?
Do we seriously have to do this now?

사람이 어떻게 그런 말을 하나?
How could anyone say something like that?

회의 중에 전화를 받나요?
Is it okay to take calls during a meeting?

시간이 없다고 다들 말만 하나?
Is everyone just making excuses about not having time?

그걸 혼자서 다 하라는 건가?
Are they seriously expecting me to do all that alone?

이걸 나더러 믿으란 말인가?
Am I seriously supposed to believe this?

지금 웃을 상황이었나?
Was that really a moment to laugh?

Examples from NIKL 사전:

가족과 멀리 떨어져 생활하느라 얼마나 외롭겠나?
You must feel so lonely living far from your family.

가: 선생님, 그동안 안녕하셨습니까?
가: Teacher, have you been well?
나: 그래. 자네 소식은 들었네. 얼마나 고생이 많았나?
나: Yes. I heard about you. You must have gone through a lot.

무엇 하는가? 어서 가지 않고.
What are you doing? Why aren’t you leaving quickly?

Examples from 표준국어대사전:

인공지능을 우리의 일상을 얼마나 변화시켰나.
How much has AI changed our daily lives.

사교육 열풍, 이대로 괜찮나.
The private education craze — is this really okay?

매년 반복되는 재해의 예방 방법은 무엇인가.
What are the ways to prevent disasters that repeat every year?

위기의 우리 사회, 어디서 답을 찾을 것인가.
In our society in crisis, where can we find answers?

넓게 펼쳐진 동해의 바닷물은 얼마나 푸른가.
How blue is the vast expanse of the East Sea’s water?

늘어나는 일회용품 사용, 이대로 괜찮은가.
The increasing use of disposable products — is this okay as it is?

우주에서 바라본 지구는 얼마나 작은가.
How small the Earth looks when seen from space.

가을이 되어 단풍이 든 나뭇잎은 얼마나 붉은가.
How red the autumn leaves become in fall.

과연 이 땅에도 봄은 오는가?
Will spring ever come to this land?

기술 발달은 우리의 삶을 어떻게 바꾸어 왔는가.
How has technological development changed our lives?

기후 위기, 어떻게 대처할 수 있는가.
The climate crisis — how can we respond to it?

개발에 매몰되어 얼마나 많은 전통 가치가 버려졌던가.
How many traditional values have been discarded in the rush for development.

식민 지배를 겪으며 얼마나 많은 우리의 문화유산이 사라졌던가.
How much of our cultural heritage was lost during colonial rule.

v) Thinking aloud

In this usage, -나/-ㄴ가 is used when the speaker is thinking aloud. The speaker is not addressing the listener directly but instead vocalizing an internal thought. Even though they are framed as questions, they are not meant to be answered by others. Rather, they help the speaker organize their own thoughts while keeping the conversational floor.

내 비밀번호가 뭐였나?
내 비밀번호가 뭐였는가?
What was my password again?

Here, the speaker is trying to remember their password. The question is not directed at anyone else and is an internal thought.

이번 달 카드값이 얼마였나?
이번 달 카드값이 얼마였는가?
How much was my credit card bill this month?

Here, the speaker is mentally reviewing finances. The utterance shows the speaker’s effort to recall information. Again, the question is not a real inquiry to another person (who clearly doesn’t know the answer anyway).

Key features of thinking aloud -나/-ㄴ가:
• Used when the speaker talks to themselves.
• Show the listener that the speaker is processing thought.
• Helps the speaker hold the floor while thinking through something.

More examples:

ultimateKOREAN examples:

오늘이 무슨 요일이었나?
What day was it today again?

그 가게 이름이 뭐였나?
What was the name of that shop?

내 우산을 어디에 뒀나?
Where did I put my umbrella?

그 책을 어디까지 읽었나?
How far did I read in that book?

어제 약 먹었나?
Did I take my medicine yesterday?

회의가 몇 시였나?
What time was the meeting?

그 영화 배우 이름이 뭐였나?
What was that actor’s name in the movie?

Examples from NIKL 사전:

이제 이 일을 어떡하나?
What should I do about this now?

내가 여기서 무얼 하고 있는가?
What am I even doing here?

수업은 언제 끝난다고 하던가?
When did they say the class would end?

승규가 불고기를 좋아했던가?
Did Seung-gyu like bulgogi?

Examples from 표준국어대사전:

이 일을 어떡하나?
What should I do about this?

철수가 많이 아프던가?
Was Cheolsu really that sick?

그게 정말이던가?
Was that really true?

그가 마침 집에 있던가?
Was he home at the time?

걔가 어디 아프던가?
Was she sick or something?

내가 그런 말을 했던가?
Did I really say something like that?

Expanded forms

-나/-ㄴ가 is sometimes expanded with the following forms:

-나 보다 / -ㄴ가 보다

-나 보다/-ㄴ가 보다 expresses a speaker’s inference based on what they have seen, heard, or sensed. It combines the speculative/question marker -나/-ㄴ가 with the verb 보다, where here means “it seems that” rather than ‘to see’.

This form is used to guess or assume that something is true based on external clues, rather than direct knowledge.

그 사람은 한국 드라마를 자주 보나 봐.
그 사람은 한국 드라마를 자주 보는가 봐.
He must watch Korean dramas often.

Here, the speaker is making a judgment about someone’s habits, perhaps because the said person often references drama characters or can speak conversational Korean well. The speaker has circumstantial evidence to make such a conclusion, but does not have certainty.

하늘이 어두워지니 곧 비가 오나 봐요.
하늘이 어두워지니 곧 비가 오는가 봐요.
Since the sky’s getting dark, I guess it’s going to rain soon.

Here, the darkening sky acts as a visual clue. The speaker is inferring the likelihood of rain based on their perception of the situation. Note that the verb 보다 does not describe literal seeing, but a sense-based judgment.

Key Features of -나 보다/-ㄴ가 보다:
• Used to make inferences based on perception or intuition rather than direct knowledge.
• Alternatively, can be used when being ironic or self-reflective.
• Conveys a mild, observational tone, without sounding too assertive or emotional.

More examples:

ultimateKOREAN examples:

벌써 다 끝났나 봐.
벌써 다 끝났는가 봐.
I guess it’s already over.

혼자 밥을 먹는 걸 보니 친구가 없나 보네.
혼자 밥을 먹는 걸 보니 친구가 없는가 보네.
Seeing that he eats alone, I guess he doesn’t have any friends.

오늘따라 기분이 좋아 보이길래 좋은 일 있었나 봐요.
오늘따라 기분이 좋아 보이길래 좋은 일 있었는가 봐요.
You looked in a good mood today, so I guess something nice happened.

그렇게 큰 소리로 말하는 걸 보니 화가 났나 봐.
그렇게 큰 소리로 말하는 걸 보니 화가 났는가 봐.
Judging by how loudly they’re speaking, I think they’re angry.

길에 쓰레기가 하나도 없는 걸 보니 청소를 방금 했나 봐요.
길에 쓰레기가 하나도 없는 걸 보니 청소를 방금 한는가 봐요.
The street is spotless, so someone must have just cleaned it.

그는 요즘 계속 늦게까지 회사에 남아 있는 걸 보니 일이 많나 보다.
그는 요즘 계속 늦게까지 회사에 남아 있는 걸 보니 일이 많은가 보다.
He stays late at work every day lately—he must have a lot to do.

친구들이랑 사진도 많이 찍고 자랑도 하는 걸 보니 그 여행이 정말 즐거웠나 봐.
친구들이랑 사진도 많이 찍고 자랑도 하는 걸 보니 그 여행이 정말 즐거웠는가 봐.
Since he’s sharing lots of photos and stories, the trip must have been really fun.

Examples from NIKL 사전:

복도가 시끌시끌한 걸 보니 옆 반 수업이 일찍 끝났나 보다.
The hallway is noisy—looks like the class next door ended early.

가: 어제 내가 민준이한테 화를 냈는데 좀 심했나 봐.
가: I got mad at Minjun yesterday. I think I overdid it.
나: 그래서 오늘 민준이가 너한테 한마디도 안 하는구나?
나: So that’s why he’s not saying a word to you today?

민준이가 요즘 연락이 뜸한 걸 보니 많이 바쁜가 보네.
Minjun hasn’t been in touch much lately—he must be really busy.

가: 승규가 얼굴이 많이 안 좋던데.
가: Seunggyu looked really unwell.
나: 어디가 아픈가 보다.
나: He must be sick.

지수가 여기를 떠나고 싶은가 보군요.
It seems like Jisoo wants to leave this place.

가: 민준이는 바닷가가 싫은가 본데.
가: I guess Minjun doesn’t like the beach.
나: 그러게. 모래사장에도 안 들어오네.
나: Yeah, he’s not even stepping onto the sand.

머뭇거리는 걸 보니 자신이 없는가 보구나.
He’s hesitating—it looks like he’s not confident.

땅이 질척이는 걸 보니 비가 많이 왔는가 보다.
The ground’s all muddy—looks like it rained a lot.

코를 골며 자는 걸 보니 남편이 많이 피곤했던가 보다.
Hearing him snore in his sleep, I guess my husband must’ve been really tired.

Examples from 표준국어대사전:

물이 찬가 보다.
The water must be cold.

천당인가 하는 데가 좋긴 좋은가 보군. ≪서기원, 조선백자 마리아상≫
That place they call heaven—it really must be nice. (Seo Gi-won, *Joseon White Porcelain Madonna*)

-나 싶다 / -ㄴ가 싶다

-나 싶다/-ㄴ가 싶다 expresses the speaker’s speculation or wonder by embedding a question-like thought within a declaration. It combines the speculative/question marker -나/-ㄴ가 with the verb 싶다 meaning ‘I think/wonder/get the feeling that’.

-싶다 Example:

왜 그런 말을 했는지 싶다.
I wonder why I said that.

This form is used as an indirect way to express thoughts, suppositions or regrets.

옷이 너무 크나 싶다.
옷이 너무 큰가 싶다.
I think (It seems) the clothes are too big.

Here, the speaker mulls over the size of the clothes, framing “too big” as a speculation rather than a statement.

우리 계획이 충분히 준비되었나 싶어.
우리 계획이 충분히 준비되었는가 싶어.
I wonder if our plan is sufficiently prepared.

Here, the speaker considers whether there is enough preparation. Their doubt (insufficient preparation) is hidden inside an inward rumination.

Three key features of -나 싶다/-ㄴ가 싶다:
• Typically pessimistic and conveys doubt or regret.
• Softens assertions by presenting them as indirect questions in thought.
• Functions as an introspective or reflective device.

More examples:

ultimateKOREAN examples:

미래가 불확실하나 싶다.
미래가 불확실한가 싶다.
I feel like the future is uncertain.

성격이 정말 친절하나 싶어.
성격이 정말 친절한가 싶어.
I think they are really kind.

책 내용이 이해하기 어렵나 싶다.
책 내용이 이해하기 어려운가 싶다.
I feel this book is difficult.

핸드폰 배터리가 금방 닳나 싶어요.
핸드폰 배터리가 금방 닳는가 싶어요.
I wonder if the phone battery drains quickly.

새로운 카페 분위기가 마음에 들려나 싶어.
새로운 카페 분위기가 마음에 들려는가 싶어.
I wonder if I’ll like the atmosphere of the new café.

그가 돌아오지 않나 싶던 순간에 바로 전화벨이 울렸다.
그가 돌아오지 않는가 싶던 순간에 바로 전화벨이 울렸다.
Just as I was thinking he might not come back, the phone rang.

저녁 노을이 사라지나 싶지 않을 정도로 오랫동안 붉게 물들어 있었다.
저녁 노을이 사라지는가 싶지 않을 정도로 오랫동안 붉게 물들어 있었다.
The dusk lingered so long that it didn’t seem as if the sunset would ever fade.

Examples from NIKL 사전:

지수가 안색이 좋지 않아서 많이 아팠나 싶었지.
Jisoo didn’t look well, so I thought she might be really sick.

형이 왜 저렇게 화가 났나 싶어서 나는 곰곰이 생각해 보았다.
I thought hard about why my brother was so angry.

누나의 결혼 문제는 먼저 부모님께 알려 드리는 게 순서가 아닌가 싶어.
I feel like telling our parents about our sister’s marriage plans should come first.

자꾸 실수를 하는 것을 보니 마치 내가 그 일에 적합하지 않은가 싶었다.
Seeing myself keep making mistakes, I started to wonder if I wasn’t suited for the job.

가: 지수가 열이 심하다던데 좀 어때요?
가: I heard Jisoo has a high fever. How is she doing?
나: 좀 나아지는가 싶으면 열이 또 오르고 그래서 걱정이에요.
나: Just when I think she’s getting better, her fever spikes again. So I’m worried.

내가 처음 바다에 갔던 게 네 살 때였던가 싶다.
I think I might have first gone to the sea when I was four.

가: 언니 요새도 그림 그려요?
가: Do you still paint these days?
나: 아니, 아이 낳고 나서 그림 그려 본 게 언제던가 싶다.
나: No, I’m not sure when I last painted—maybe before I had the baby.

Examples from 표준국어대사전:

얼굴에 핏기가 없는 것이 어디가 아픈가 싶다.
You look pale—I wonder if you’re sick.

제 분수에 그 정도면 족하지 않은가 싶어서, 결국 그 집을 사기로 하였습니다.
I thought, “Isn’t that enough for someone like me?” So in the end, I decided to buy the house.

무슨 일이 있었는가 싶었다.
I wondered if something had happened.

-나 하다/-ㄴ가 하다

-나 하다/-ㄴ가 하다 expresses the speaker’s conjecture or wondering. It combines the speculative/question marker -나/-ㄴ가 with 하다 to create the meaning ‘to think/wonder’.

This form is used when the speaker notices something and wonders what might be going on.

밖에 무슨 일이 있나 하다.
밖에 무슨 일이 있는가 하다.
I wonder if something’s going on outside.

Here, the speaker senses something outside and internally speculates about it. This expresses a mild curiosity.

보고서가 충분했나 했어요.
보고서가 충분했는가 했어요.
I was wondering whether the report was enough.

Here, -나 했다/-ㄴ가 했다 expresses past speculation. With an uncertain tone, the speaker is conveying that they had previously wondered about the adequacy of the report.

Three key features of -나 하다/-ㄴ가 하다:
• Expresses immediate wondering/imagining.
• Carries a soft, hedged tone.
• Can appear in present (하다) or past (했다) tense, depending on when the wondering occurred.

More examples:

ultimateKOREAN examples:

날 못 알아보나 하다.
날 못 알아보는가 하다.
I’m wondering whether they don’t recognize me.

영화가 재미있나 해요.
영화가 재미있는가 해요.
I wonder if this movie is entertaining.

집에 아무도 없나 했어.
집에 아무도 없는가 했어.
I was wondering if anyone was home.

오늘 회사 일이 많나 해요.
오늘 회사 일이 많은가 해요.
I wonder if there’s a lot of work at the office these days.

벨이 울리나 하는 순간 문이 저절로 열렸다.
벨이 울리는가 하는 순간 문이 저절로 열렸다.
Just as the bell rang (and I was wondering about it), the door opened by itself.

몸이 안 좋아 보이시나 해서 말 안 걸었어요.
몸이 안 좋아 보이시는가 해서 말 안 걸었어요.
You looked unwell, so I didn’t talk to you.

메일을 못 받았나 했는데 스팸함에 들어가 있었어.
메일을 못 받은가 했는데 스팸함에 들어가 있었어.
I thought maybe I didn’t receive the email, but it was sitting in my spam folder.

Examples from NIKL 사전:

승규가 땀을 많이 흘리길래 방이 더웠나 했어.
I saw Seunggyu sweating a lot, so I wondered if the room was hot.

아무리 기다려도 이름을 안 부르길래 나만 빠졌나 했어.
No matter how long I waited, they didn’t call my name, so I thought maybe I was the only one left out.

난 네가 시험이 끝났다고 하길래 이제 좀 한가한가 했지.
You said your exams were over, so I figured maybe you’d be a bit freer now.

나는 그가 왜 그냥 갔는가 하며 궁금해했다.
I wondered why he just left like that.

Examples from 표준국어대사전:

난 혹시 저분이 어머니이신가 했지.
I wondered if that person might be your mother.

그 친구 머리가 꽤 좋은가 보다.
It seems that friend is quite smart.

저는 저 애가 왜 저러는가 했지요.
I was wondering why that kid was acting like that.

난 혹시 그날 비가 오지 않았던가 했지.
I wondered if maybe it hadn’t rained that day.

-나 하면/-ㄴ가 하면

-나 하면/-ㄴ가 하면 expresses complementary or contrasting situations. It combines the speculative/question marker -나/-ㄴ가 with the conditional 하면 to mean “if one asks whether”.

-하면 Example:

왜냐하면
because (lit: If you were to ask why,)

This form neutrally presents coexisting situations, where the first clause sets a frame for the second. When the two situations are complementary, addition emerges (first example). And when the two situations are opposing, contrast emerges (second example).

한국산은 경치가 좋나 하면 오래된 절도 많이 있다.
한국산은 경치가 좋은가 하면 오래된 절도 많이 있다.
Korea’s mountains not only have nice views, but also have many old temples.

Here, the speaker presents two complementary features of Korean mountains: They have nice views and many old temples. -나 하면/-ㄴ가 하면 links two coexisting features, with the following clause (about temples) as additional information enhancing the listener’s overall understanding.

직원이 적은 회사가 있나 하면 많은 회사도 있다.
직원이 적은 회사가 있는가 하면 많은 회사도 있다.
While some companies are small, others are large.

Here, the speaker presents two contrasting situations with the first (small size) as a frame for the second (large size). The contrasting situations are presented as equally valid realities.

Note that a common expression is {왜 ㅁㅁㅁ나 하면 ㅁㅁㅁ} which provides the reason (first clause) for a situation (second clause).

왜 제가 아침을 안 먹나 하면 시간이 없거든요.
왜 제가 아침을 안 먹는가 하면 시간이 없거든요.
The reason I don’t eat breakfast is that I don’t have time.

• Juxtaposes two clauses to express either additive or contrastive meaning.
• The first clause is a neutral frame for the second.
• The second clause creates a balanced perspective of the two situations.

More examples:

ultimateKOREAN examples:

웃나 하면 금방 화내요.
웃는가 하면 금방 화내요.
One moment they laugh, the next they’re angry.

어떤 날은 춥나 하면 어떤 날은 덥지.
어떤 날은 추운가 하면 어떤 날은 덥지.
While some days are cold, others are hot.

그 학생은 수학을 잘하나 하면 영어는 못해.
그 학생은 수학을 잘하는가 하면 영어는 못해.
That student is good at math but bad at English.

한국 음식을 좋아하나 하면 맵다고 싫어하는 사람도 있어요.
한국 음식을 좋아하는가 하면 맵다고 싫어하는 사람도 있어요.
While some like Korean food, others say it’s too spicy.

조용하고 성실한 학생이 있나 하면 활발하고 장난스러운 학생도 있다.
조용하고 성실한 학생이 있는가 하면 활발하고 장난스러운 학생도 있다.
Just as there are quiet and diligent students, there are lively and mischievous ones.

말이 들판을 한가로이 거니나 하면, 어느 순간 거센 바람처럼 달리기도 한다.
말이 들판을 한가로이 거니는가 하면, 어느 순간 거센 바람처럼 달리기도 한다.
Just as horses wander leisurely across the meadows, in an instant they can also gallop like a fierce wind.

이 동네는 조용해서 살기 좋나 하면 밤마다 오토바이 소음 때문에 짜증 날 때도 있다.
이 동네는 조용해서 살기 좋은가 하면 밤마다 오토바이 소음 때문에 짜증 날 때도 있다.
This neighbourhood is quiet and pleasant to live in, but at night the motorcycle noise can be irritating.

Examples from NIKL 사전:

집의 상태가 좋은가 하면 집값이 비쌌다.
While the condition of the house was good, the price was expensive.

Additional details

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Associated grammar

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Bibliography

— Ahn, J., & Sun, E. (2014). Korean Grammar in Use: Advanced. Paju-si: Darakwon.
— Byon, A.S. (2017). Modern Korean Grammar: A Practical Guide. New York: Routledge.
— Cho, W.S. (2020). Korean Grammar: A One-Stop Reference Book: Volume I: The Overall Grammatical System. Hanam-si: Pagiljong Press.
— Choo, M., & Kwak, H. (2008). Using Korean: A Guide to Contemporary Usage. New York: Cambridge University Press.
— Ihm, H.B., Hong, K.P., & Chang, S.I. (2001). Korean Grammar for International Learners. Seoul: Yonsei University Press.
— Jeong, S. (2018). The discourse-pragmatic uses of the Korean interrogative sentence enders-na/-(u) nka,-nya, and-ni. University of California, Los Angeles.
— Kang, A. (2018). Negative politeness in Korean questions: Interaction between epistemic uncertainty and conventional indirectness. 어학연구 (Language Research).
— King, R., Yeon, J., & Lee, I. (2015) Continuing Korean. Boston: Tuttle Publishing.
— King, R., Yeon, J., Kim, C., & Baker, D. (2015). Advanced Korean. Boston: Tuttle Publishing.
— Kim, S., Curtis, E., Cho, H. (2017). Korean Grammar: The Complete Guide to Speaking Korean Naturally. Singapore: Tuttle Publishing.
— Kingdom, L. (2015). Essential Korean Grammar: Your Essential Guide to Speaking and Writing Korean Fluently!. Singapore: Tuttle Publishing.
— NIKL 사전, [s.v. -나²].
— NIKL 사전, [s.v. -ㄴ가].
— NIKL 사전, [s.v. -은가].
— NIKL 사전, [s.v. -는가].
— NIKL 사전, [s.v. -던가].
— Min, J., & Ahn, J. (2010). Korean Grammar in Use: Beginning to Early Intermediate. Paju-si: Darakwon.
— Yeon, J., & Brown, L. (2008). Korean: A Comprehensive Grammar. New York: Routledge.
— 김정숙, 김인균, 박동호, 이병규, 이해영, 정희정, 최정순 & 허용. (2005). 외국인을 위한 한국어 문법2: 용법 편. 서울: 국립국어원.
— 고석주. (2019). ‘인가’의 문법 범주에 대하여. 이중언어학, 76, 1-19.
— 국립국어원 표준국어대사전, [s.v. -나¹¹].
— 국립국어원 표준국어대사전, [s.v. -ㄴ가].
— 국립국어원 표준국어대사전, [s.v. -은가²].
— 국립국어원 표준국어대사전, [s.v. -는가].
— 국립국어원 표준국어대사전, [s.v. -던가].
— 안예리. (2015). 근대국어’-ㄴ가’와’-ㄴ지’의 영향관계-송준길가와 송병필가 언간의 비교를 중심으로. 국어사연구, (21), 325-355.
— 안주호. (2015). {-ㄴ가},{-나} 형 어미에 대한 말뭉치 기반 연구. 언어학, 23(2), 133-156.
— 유필재. (2023). 현대국어 의문형 어미 ‘-는가/-은가,-나’의 통시적 변화. 대동문화연구, 123, 155-176.
— 이순화. (2010). 종결어미 ‘-ㄴ가’,‘-ㄴ지’,‘-ㄹ까’,‘-ㄹ지’에 대한 연구 (Doctoral dissertation, The Graduate School, Ajou University).
— 채숙희. (2024). 한국어 교재의 의문형 종결어미 ‘-는가/(으) ㄴ가’,‘-나’,‘-(으) ㄹ까’제시 양상에 대한 일고찰. 한민족어문학, 103, 107-146.

User examples

Send in an example!

Usage

i) Genuine question

ii) Uncertain statement

iii) Polite disagreement

iv) Emotional reaction

v) Thinking aloud

Conjugation of -나

Conjugation of -(으)ㄴ가

Contents

Introduction

History

-나 VS -ㄴ가

-ㄴ가 as a particle?

i) Genuine question

ii) Uncertain statement

iii) Polite disagreement

iv) Emotional reaction

v) Thinking aloud

Expanded forms

나 보다 / ㄴ가 보다

나 싶다 / ㄴ가 싶다

나 하다 / ㄴ가 하다

나 하면 / ㄴ가 하면

Additional details

Associated grammar

See also

Bibliography

User examples

Introduction

History

-나 VS -ㄴ가

-ㄴ가 as a particle?

i) Genuine question

ii) Uncertain statement

iii) Polite disagreement

iv) Emotional reaction

v) Thinking aloud

Expanded forms

-나 보다 / -ㄴ가 보다

-나 싶다 / -ㄴ가 싶다

-나 하다/-ㄴ가 하다

-나 하면/-ㄴ가 하면

Additional details

Associated grammar

See also

Bibliography

User examples