-거나
Or
-거나 is used to connect two actions or descriptions with 'or'. For example, 'I will watch a movie or read a book.'
How It Works
-거나 is a straightforward and common way to express a choice between two or more actions or states. It attaches directly to the verb or adjective stem, regardless of whether the stem ends in a vowel or a consonant.
Construction:
Verb/Adjective Stem + -거나
- 먹다 (to eat) → 먹거나 (eat or...)
- 가다 (to go) → 가거나 (go or...)
- 예쁘다 (to be pretty) → 예쁘거나 (be pretty or...)
- 좋다 (to be good) → 좋거나 (be good or...)
Usage:
1. Listing two options: It connects two clauses, presenting them as alternatives.
• 주말에는 보통 집에서 쉬거나 친구를 만나요. (On weekends, I usually rest at home or meet friends.)
2. Listing multiple options: You can repeat -거나 to list more than two choices.
• 심심할 때 음악을 듣거나, 영화를 보거나, 게임을 해요. (When I'm bored, I listen to music, watch a movie, or play games.)
Important Distinction:
While -거나 is for verbs and adjectives, a different particle, -(이)나, is used to mean 'or' with nouns.
- Verbs: 커피를 마시거나 주스를 마실 거예요. (I will drink coffee or drink juice.)
- Nouns: 커피나 주스를 마실 거예요. (I will drink coffee or juice.)
It is often compared with -든지, which also means 'or'. While they are often interchangeable, -든지 can carry a stronger nuance of indifference, meaning 'it doesn't matter which one'. -거나 is a more neutral listing of options.
Examples (5)
- 주말에는 보통 영화를 보거나 책을 읽어요.
On weekends, I usually watch a movie or read a book.
Word by Word: On weekends usually movie watch or book read.
- 날씨가 덥거나 비가 오면 실내에서 놀아요.
If the weather is hot or it rains, we play indoors.
Word by Word: Weather is hot or rain comes if indoors at play.
- 저녁으로 피자를 시키거나 파스타를 만들까요?
Shall we order pizza or make pasta for dinner?
Word by Word: For dinner pizza order or pasta shall we make?
- 질문이 있거나 도움이 필요하면 언제든지 말해주세요.
If you have a question or need help, please tell me anytime.
Word by Word: Question exists or help is needed if anytime please tell me.
- 피곤하면 잠을 자거나 따뜻한 차를 마시는 게 좋아요.
If you're tired, it's good to sleep or drink warm tea.
Word by Word: Tired if sleep sleep or warm tea drinking is good.
Common Mistakes
Using -거나 with nouns instead of -(이)나.
Not Quite저는 커피거나 주스를 마시고 싶어요.Better저는 커피나 주스를 마시고 싶어요.-거나 is used to connect verbs and adjectives. For connecting nouns, you must use -(이)나. The correct sentence means 'I want to drink coffee or juice.'
Confusing -거나 (or) with -고 (and/and then).
Different Meaning아침에 일어나거나 세수를 해요.Better아침에 일어나고 세수를 해요.The incorrect sentence means 'In the morning, I wake up OR wash my face,' which is illogical. These actions happen in sequence. Use -고 to mean 'and then' for sequential actions.
Learn This First
To express 'or' with verbs, you need to understand verb conjugation.
Related Patterns
- -나 (선택)Or, About
-거나 is used for verbs and adjectives, while -(이)나 is the equivalent 'or' particle used for nouns. They serve the same function for different word types.
- -든지No Matter What/who/how, Etc.
Both mean 'or' for verbs/adjectives. However, -든지 often implies indifference ('it doesn't matter which'), whereas -거나 is a more neutral way to list choices.
- -고And, And Then
-고 means 'and' or 'and then', connecting actions that happen together or in sequence. This contrasts with -거나, which presents actions as alternatives ('or').
- Verb stems
-거나 attaches directly to verb stems and adjective stems. Understanding how to identify the stem of a verb or adjective is fundamental to using this pattern correctly.
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.