Processing keyword: ~는지 [neunji] (Whether or not)

Korean Grammar Point: ~는지 [neunji] (Whether or not)

1. Introduction

Welcome to your lesson on the Korean grammar point ~는지 [neunji]. This structure is essential when expressing uncertainty, curiosity, or when asking indirect questions. It translates to "whether," "if," or "I wonder" in English. By mastering ~는지, you'll enhance your ability to inquire and speculate in Korean, making your conversations more natural and nuanced.

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2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning and Usage

The suffix ~는지 is used to:

• Express uncertainty or speculation about information.
• Pose indirect questions or wonder about something.
• State knowledge or lack thereof regarding a fact. In English equivalents:
• "Whether"
• "If"
• "I wonder"

Structure and Formation

Formation Diagram

For Action Verbs:

[Verb Stem] + 는지

For Descriptive Verbs (Adjectives):

- If the stem ends with a vowel: [Stem] + ㄴ지
- If the stem ends with a consonant: [Stem] + 은지

For Nouns + 이다:

[Noun] + 인지

Visual Aid: Table of Endings

Type	Ending	Example	Result
Action Verb	는지	가다 (to go)	가는지
Descriptive Verb (vowel)	ㄴ지	크다 (to be big)	큰지
Descriptive Verb (consonant)	은지	작다 (to be small)	작은지
Noun + 이다	인지	학생이다 (to be a student)	학생인지

Detailed Explanation

1. Using with Action Verbs

Attach ~는지 directly to the verb stem.

• Example:

  Verb Infinitive	Verb Stem	+ 는지	Result	Translation
  먹다 (to eat)	먹	먹 + 는지	먹는지	Whether (someone) eats

2. Using with Descriptive Verbs (Adjectives)

• If the stem ends with a vowel, add ~ㄴ지.
• If the stem ends with a consonant, add ~은지.
• Examples:
  • Vowel-ending stem:

    Adjective Infinitive	Stem	+ ㄴ지	Result	Translation
    예쁘다 (to be pretty)	예쁘	예쁘 + ㄴ지	예쁜지	Whether (something) is pretty

  • Consonant-ending stem:

    Adjective Infinitive	Stem	+ 은지	Result	Translation
    작다 (to be small)	작	작 + 은지	작은지	Whether (something) is small

3. Using with Nouns + 이다

Attach ~인지 to the noun.

• Example:

  Noun + 이다	+ 인지	Result	Translation
  친구이다 (to be a friend)	친구 + 인지	친구인지	Whether (someone) is a friend

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3. Comparative Analysis

Comparing ~는지 with ~(으)ㄴ/는지

Both forms are used to express uncertainty or to ask indirect questions, but they differ slightly in usage based on tense and context.

• ~는지: Used with present tense action verbs.
• ~(으)ㄴ지: Used with past tense verbs or present tense descriptive verbs. Examples:

1. Present Action Verb
   • 학생이 오는지 알아요?
     • Do you know whether the student is coming?
2. Past Action Verb
   • 학생이 왔는지 알아요?
     • Do you know whether the student came?
3. Descriptive Verb
   • 그곳이 조용한지 궁금해요.
     • I wonder if that place is quiet.

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4. Examples in Context

Formal Situations

1. 회의가 언제 시작하는지 알려 주시겠어요? Could you let me know when the meeting starts?
2. 그분이 한국분인지 아닌지 확인해 주세요. Please check whether he is Korean or not.

Informal Situations

1. 내일 시간이 있는지 물어봤어? Did you ask if they have time tomorrow?
2. 이거 맛있는지 한번 먹어 볼래? Do you want to try this to see if it's tasty?

Written Context

1. 그 책이 재미있는지 리뷰를 읽어 보세요. Read the review to see if the book is interesting.
2. 상품이 언제 도착하는지 이메일로 알려 드리겠습니다. We will inform you by email when the product arrives.

Spoken Context

1. 영화가 벌써 시작했는지 모르겠어. I don't know if the movie has already started.
2. 그 가게에서 파는지 한번 찾아볼게요. I'll check whether they sell it at that store.

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5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

• Using ~는지 allows for polite and indirect questioning, which aligns with the Korean communication style that often favors indirectness to maintain harmony and show respect.

Levels of Politeness and Formality

• The ending of the sentence should reflect the appropriate level of politeness.
• Formal Polite Endings:
  • 합니다, 합니까, 해요, 세요
• Informal Casual Endings:
  • 해, 니, 냐
• Examples:
  • Formal: 지금 몇 시인지 아십니까? Do you know what time it is now?
  • Informal: 지금 몇 시인지 알아? Do you know what time it is now?

Idiomatic Expressions Using ~는지

1. 갈지 말지 고민 중이에요. I'm debating whether to go or not.
2. 그게 사실인지 아닌지 모르겠어요. I don't know whether that's true or not.

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6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

1. Incorrect Attachment to Verb Stems
   • Mistake: 먹다 + 은지 → 먹은지 ❌
   • Correction: 먹다 + 는지 → 먹는지 ✅ Action verbs in present tense should be followed by ~는지, not ~은지.
2. Confusion with Tenses
   • Mistake: 갔다 + 는지 → 갔는지 ❌
   • Correction: 갔다 + 는지 → 갔는지 ✅ Past tense of action verbs uses ~았/었는지.

Learning Strategies

• Create Sentence Patterns: Practice by creating sentences using a variety of verbs and adjectives.
• Flashcards: Make flashcards with different verbs/adjectives and their ~는지 forms.
• Mnemonic Devices: Remember that Action Verbs use ~는지, whereas Descriptive Verbs consider the final letter:
  • Vowel-ending stem + ~ㄴ지
  • Consonant-ending stem + ~은지

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7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• ~는지 is used to express uncertainty, curiosity, or to ask indirect questions.
• Attach ~는지 to action verbs and adjust endings for descriptive verbs.
• Use 인지 after nouns + 이다.
• Ensure the sentence ending matches the appropriate politeness level.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. Form the ~는지 structure for the verb 마시다 (to drink). Answer: 마시는지
2. How do you attach ~는지 to the adjective 좋다 (to be good)? Answer: 좋은지
3. Translate to Korean: "I wonder if it will rain tomorrow." Answer: 내일 비가 올지 궁금해요.
4. Identify and correct the mistake: 그 사람이 학생는지 몰라요. Correction: 그 사람이 학생인지 몰라요.

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Congratulations on completing the lesson! Practice using ~는지 in your daily conversations to become more comfortable with this grammar point.

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