Processing keyword: ~인지 [inji] (Whether)

Korean Grammar Point: ~인지 [inji] (Whether)

1. Introduction

In this lesson, we'll explore the Korean grammar point ~인지 (inji), which is used to express "whether" or "if" in English. Understanding ~인지 will help you form indirect questions and convey uncertainty or curiosity in Korean.

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2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning and Usage

~인지 is a grammatical construction used to:

• Express doubt, curiosity, or uncertainty.
• Form indirect questions similar to "whether" or "if" in English.
• Inquire or ponder about a fact, situation, or possibility.

Structure and Formation

For Nouns

Attach -인지 directly to the noun.

• Noun + 인지 Example:
• 학생 (student) + 인지 = 학생인지
  • Whether (someone) is a student

For Verbs

1. Present Tense:
   • Verb stem + -는지

     Verb	Verb Stem	+ 는지	Result	Meaning
     가다	가	가 + 는지	가는지	Whether (someone) goes
     먹다	먹	먹 + 는지	먹는지	Whether (someone) eats

2. Past Tense:
   • Verb stem + -았/었/였는지

     Verb	Past Stem	+ 는지	Result	Meaning
     갔다	갔	갔 + 는지	갔는지	Whether (someone) went
     먹었다	먹었	먹었 + 는지	먹었는지	Whether (someone) ate

3. Future Tense:
   • Verb stem + -(으)ㄹ지

     Verb	Verb Stem	+ (으)ㄹ지	Result	Meaning
     가다	가	갈 + 지	갈지	Whether (someone) will go
     먹다	먹	먹을 + 지	먹을지	Whether (someone) will eat

For Adjectives

1. Present Tense:
   • Adjective stem + -은지/ㄴ지

     Adjective	Stem Ending	+ 은지/ㄴ지	Result	Meaning
     크다 (big)	Vowel	크 + ㄴ지	큰지	Whether (something) is big
     작다 (small)	Consonant	작 + 은지	작은지	Whether (something) is small

2. Past Tense:
   • Adjective stem + -았/었/였는지

     Adjective	Past Stem	+ 는지	Result	Meaning
     컸다 (was big)	컸	컸 + 는지	컸는지	Whether (something) was big
     작았다 (was small)	작았	작았 + 는지	작았는지	Whether (something) was small

3. Future Tense:
   • Adjective stem + -(으)ㄹ지

     Adjective	Stem Ending	+ (으)ㄹ지	Result	Meaning
     크다 (big)	Vowel	클 + 지	클지	Whether (something) will be big
     작다 (small)	Consonant	작을 + 지	작을지	Whether (something) will be small

Visual Aid: Formation Summary

[Noun] + 인지
[Verb Stem] +
    Present: -는지
    Past: -았/었/였는지
    Future: -(으)ㄹ지
[Adjective Stem] +
    Present: -은지/ㄴ지
    Past: -았/었/였는지
    Future: -(으)ㄹ지

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3. Comparative Analysis

Comparing ~인지 with ~(으)ㄴ/는지

• ~인지 is used after nouns.
• ~(으)ㄴ/는지 is used after verb and adjective stems.
• Both are used to form indirect questions expressing uncertainty or inquiry. Examples:
• 그 사람이 학생인지 모르겠어요.
  • I don't know whether that person is a student.
• 그 사람이 어디에 사는지 아세요?
  • Do you know where that person lives?

Nuances

• ~인지 아닌지: Emphasizes "whether or not."
  • 그것이 사실인지 아닌지 확인해 봅시다.
    • Let's check whether that is true or not.

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4. Examples in Context

Formal Style

1. 회의가 언제 시작하는지 아십니까?
   • Do you know when the meeting starts?
2. 그분이 한국 분인지요?
   • Is that person Korean?
3. 이 약을 복용해도 되는지요?
   • Is it okay to take this medicine?

Informal Style

1. 내일 시간이 있는지 알려 줄래?
   • Can you let me know if you have time tomorrow?
2. 저 영화가 재미있는지 봤어?
   • Did you see if that movie is interesting?
3. 그 가게가 아직 문을 여는지 몰라.
   • I don't know if that store is still open.

Mixed Tenses

1. 그가 어제 왔는지 안 왔는지 모르겠어요. (Past tense)
   • I don't know whether he came yesterday or not.
2. 비가 올지 모르겠네요. (Future tense)
   • I wonder if it will rain.
3. 음식이 매운지 안 매운지 물어봤어요. (Present tense)
   • I asked whether the food is spicy or not.

Written Context

1. 이 제품이 안전한지 검토해야 합니다.
   • We need to review whether this product is safe.
2. 그 사건이 사실인지 아닌지 조사 중입니다.
   • We are investigating whether that incident is true or not.

Spoken Context

1. 뭐 먹을지 생각해 봤어?
   • Have you thought about what to eat?
2. 그 이야기가 정말인지 믿을 수 없어.
   • I can't believe whether that story is true.

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5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

• Indirectness in Korean Communication:
  • Using ~인지 allows speakers to express uncertainty politely, reflecting the Korean cultural preference for indirectness and harmony in communication.
• Politeness Levels:
  • The grammar point ~인지 itself doesn't change politeness but works with sentence endings to match the appropriate politeness level.

Levels of Politeness and Formality

• Formal Polite Endings:
  • -ㅂ니다, -습니까, -세요
• Informal Polite Endings:
  • -아요, -어요
• Casual Endings:
  • -아, -어 Examples:
• 그가 학생인지 아세요? (Informal polite)
  • Do you know if he is a student?
• 그분이 어디에 사시는지 알려 주실 수 있습니까? (Formal polite)
  • Could you let me know where he lives?

Idiomatic Expressions

• ~인지도 모르다: "Might even be"
  • 비가 올지도 몰라요.
    • It might even rain.
• ~인지 아닌지: "Whether or not"
  • 그것이 가능한지 아닌지 확인해 보겠습니다.
    • I will check whether or not that is possible.

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6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Common Mistakes

1. Incorrect Tense Usage:
   • Incorrect: 먹었인지 (Using -인지 after past verb stem)
   • Correct: 먹었는지
2. Wrong Adjective Ending:
   • Incorrect: 재미있는지
   • Correct: 재미있는지 (Present tense adjective)
3. Confusing with 인지하다 (to recognize):
   • Be careful not to confuse ~인지 (whether) with the verb 인지하다.

Tips

• For Verbs:
  • Present Tense: Use -는지
  • Past Tense: Use -았/었/였는지
  • Future Tense: Use -(으)ㄹ지
• For Adjectives:
  • If the stem ends with a vowel, use -ㄴ지
    • 예쁘다 → 예쁜지
  • If the stem ends with a consonant, use -은지
    • 작다 → 작은지
• Practice Common Patterns:
  • Regularly practice with common verbs and adjectives to become familiar with the patterns.
• Mnemonic Device:
  • "Is it?" Think of 인지 as "is it?" to recall that it's used to express wondering or uncertainty.

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7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• ~인지 is used to form indirect questions expressing "whether" or "if."
• The suffix changes depending on whether it's attached to a noun, verb, or adjective, and according to tense.
• Ensure verb and adjective stems are correctly modified before adding -는지, -은지/ㄴ지, or -(으)ㄹ지.
• Politeness is maintained through sentence endings, not the use of ~인지 itself.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. Fill in the blank: How do you express "whether it's interesting" using 재미있다? Answer: 재미있는지
2. Translate to Korean: "I don't know if she will come tomorrow." Answer: 그녀가 내일 올지 모르겠어요.
3. Choose the Correct Form: Which is correct for "whether it was big" using 크다? a) 큰지 b) 컸는지 Answer: b) 컸는지

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By understanding and practicing ~인지, you'll be able to express curiosity and form indirect questions naturally in Korean. Keep practicing with different verbs, adjectives, and nouns to become comfortable with this grammar point.

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