Processing keyword: ~는지 알다/모르다 [neunji alda/moreuda] (Know/don't know whether)

Korean Grammar Point: ~는지 알다/모르다 [neunji alda/moreuda] (Know/don't know whether)

는지 알다/모르다 [neunji alda/moreuda] (Know/Don't Know Whether)

1. Introduction

In Korean, expressing whether you know or don't know a particular piece of information is essential for everyday conversation. The grammar point ~는지 알다/모르다 allows speakers to communicate this effectively. It is equivalent to saying "know/don't know whether/if..." in English.

2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

The structure ~는지 알다/모르다 is used to indicate that someone knows or doesn't know about a specific fact, action, or situation. It connects the clause ending with ~는지 (whether/if) to the verbs 알다 (to know) or 모르다 (to not know).

Structure

The formation of ~는지 알다/모르다 varies depending on the type of word it attaches to:

1. Action Verbs (Present Tense)

[Verb Stem] + 는지 알다/모르다

• Example:
  가다 (to go) → 가 는지 알다/모르다

2. Action Verbs (Past Tense)

[Verb Stem] + 았/었는지 알다/모르다

• Example:
  갔다 (went) → 갔 는지 알다/모르다

3. Descriptive Verbs (Adjectives)

[Adjective Stem] + (은)지 알다/모르다

• Stem ends with a consonant: 은지
• Stem ends with a vowel: ㄴ지
• Examples:
  크다 (to be big) → 큰 지 알다/모르다
  작다 (to be small) → 작 은지 알다/모르다

4. Nouns with '이다'

[Noun] + 인지 알다/모르다

• Example:
  학생이다 (to be a student) → 학생 인지 알다/모르다

Formation Diagram

3. Comparative Analysis

Comparing ~는지 알다/모르다 with ~ㄹ까(요)

• ~는지 알다/모르다: Used to express knowledge or ignorance about a fact.
  • Example:
    그가 어디 사는지 알아요?
    (Geuga eodi saneunji arayo?)
    "Do you know where he lives?"
• ~ㄹ까(요): Used to express wonder or ask a question about something uncertain.
  • Example:
    그가 어디 살까요?
    (Geuga eodi salkkayo?)
    "I wonder where he lives." Nuance Difference:
• ~는지 알다/모르다 is about knowing specific information.
• ~ㄹ까(요) expresses speculation or a polite question.

4. Examples in Context

Formal Speech

1. 회의가 언제 시작하는지 아십니까?
   (Hoeuiga eonje sijakaneunji asimnikka?)
   "Do you know when the meeting starts?"
2. 그분의 연락처를 아는지 모르겠습니다.
   (Geubunui yeollakcheoreul aneunji moreugesseumnida.)
   "I don't know if I know his contact information."

Informal Speech

1. 영화가 몇 시에 시작하는지 알아?
   (Yeonghwaga myeot sie sijakaneunji ara?)
   "Do you know what time the movie starts?"
2. 지수는 이 소식을 들었는지 몰라.
   (Jisuneun i sosigeul deureotneunji molla.)
   "I don't know if Jisoo heard this news."

Questions

1. 네가 무슨 말을 하는지 알아?
   (Nega museun mareul haneunji ara?)
   "Do you know what you are saying?"
2. 주소를 어디서 찾는지 알려 주세요.
   (Jusoreul eodiseo chatneunji allyeo juseyo.)
   "Please tell me where to find the address."

Negative Sentences

1. 그 사람이 누구인지 몰라요.
   (Geu sarami nuguinji mollayo.)
   "I don't know who that person is."
2. 왜 늦었는지 모르겠어요.
   (Wae neujeotneunji moreugesseoyo.)
   "I don't know why he was late."

5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

• Politeness Levels:
  In Korean, it is important to use the appropriate speech level. When using 알다/모르다, conjugate them according to the level of formality:
  • Formal Polite: 압니다 / 모릅니다
    (abnida / moreumnida)
  • Informal Polite: 알아요 / 몰라요
    (arayo / mollayo)
  • Casual: 알아 / 몰라
    (ara / molla)

Idiomatic Expressions

• 알면 알수록 모르다
  (Almyeon alsurok moreuda)
  "The more you know, the less you understand."
• 아는 게 힘이다
  (Aneun ge himida)
  "Knowledge is power."

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

1. Forgetting to Attach ~는지
   • Incorrect:
     숙제를 했는 알다.
     (Sukjereul haenneun alda.)
   • Correct:
     숙제를 했는지 알다.
     (Sukjereul haenneunji alda.) Tip: Always include ~는지 before 알다/모르다 to link the clause properly.
2. Using the Wrong Tense Marker
   • Incorrect:
     그가 올는지 몰라요.
     (Geuga olneunji mollayo.)
   • Correct:
     그가 오는지 몰라요.
     (Geuga oneunji mollayo.) Tip: Use 오는지 for the present tense of action verbs.

Learning Strategies

• Understanding Context:
  Practice by forming sentences about things you know or don't know in your daily life.
• Memorization Aid:
  Associate ~는지 with "whether," and remember that it must precede 알다/모르다.

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• ~는지 알다/모르다 is used to express knowledge or ignorance about a fact or situation.
• The structure varies slightly depending on whether it's an action verb, descriptive verb, or noun.
• Correct conjugation and politeness level are important for natural speech.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. Fill in the blank:
   "Do you know if it's going to rain tomorrow?"
   내일 비가 _____ 알아요?
2. Choose the correct sentence:
   a) 그 사람이 누구인지 몰라요.
   b) 그 사람이 누구는지 몰라요. Answers:
3. 내일 비가 오는지 알아요?
4. a) 그 사람이 누구인지 몰라요.

By mastering ~는지 알다/모르다, you'll enhance your ability to communicate uncertainties and questions about knowledge in Korean, making your conversations more nuanced and fluent.