-깨나
Quite a Bit/rather
-깨나 is a particle meaning 'quite a bit' or 'rather', used to emphasize a significant amount of something, often with a negative or sarcastic tone.
How It Works
-깨나 is an emphatic particle that attaches directly to nouns, regardless of whether they end in a vowel or a consonant. Its primary function is to signify 'quite a bit of', 'a good deal of', or 'rather'.
Key Nuances:
The main difference between using -깨나 and a simple adverb like 많이 (a lot) is the added nuance. -깨나 suggests that the quantity is significant enough to be noteworthy, and this often comes with a specific tone:
- Negative/Burdensome: It can imply that the large amount of something caused trouble or hardship. (e.g., 말썽깨나 피우다 - to cause quite a bit of trouble).
- Sarcastic/Disapproving: It can be used to comment on someone's wealth, knowledge, or status in a slightly sarcastic or critical way. (e.g., 돈깨나 있다고 자랑한다 - boasts that he has quite a bit of money).
- Surprising/Impressive: It can also express surprise at the considerable degree of something. (e.g., 힘깨나 쓰겠다 - looks like he can use quite a bit of strength).
Because of these nuances, -깨나 is more common in spoken Korean and is generally used when talking about a third person rather than oneself, unless describing a past hardship.
Examples (4)
- 그 사람은 돈깨나 버는 모양이에요.
It seems that person earns quite a bit of money.
Word by Word: That person money-quite-a-bit earns seems.
Here, '돈깨나' implies a significant amount of money, and the tone could be slightly envious or observational.
- 어릴 때 말썽깨나 피워서 부모님 속을 썩였어요.
I caused quite a bit of trouble when I was young, so I worried my parents.
Word by Word: When young trouble-quite-a-bit caused so parents' inside rotted.
This shows the negative nuance. '말썽깨나' emphasizes that the amount of trouble was substantial and had a negative consequence.
- 그 일 때문에 고생깨나 했지.
I went through a good deal of hardship because of that work.
Word by Word: That work because of hardship-quite-a-bit did.
This is an example of using it for oneself to describe a past difficulty. The emphasis is on the considerable amount of suffering.
- 저 친구는 시골에서 힘깨나 썼을 것 같아.
That friend looks like he must have been quite strong back in the countryside.
Word by Word: That friend in countryside strength-quite-a-bit used would seem.
'힘깨나 썼을 것 같다' is a common expression suggesting someone looks physically strong and capable.
Common Mistakes
Using -깨나 in simple positive statements
Not Quite저는 운동을 깨나 좋아해요.Better저는 운동을 아주 좋아해요.-깨나 carries a special nuance (often negative, sarcastic, or surprising) and is not a neutral substitute for 'a lot' or 'very'. For a simple positive statement like 'I like exercise a lot', use adverbs like 아주 or 많이.
Attaching -깨나 to verbs or adjectives
Not Quite그녀는 예쁘깨나.Better저 배우는 얼굴깨나 알려져 있다.-깨나 is a particle that must be attached directly to a noun. In the correct sentence, it attaches to '얼굴' (face) to mean 'that actor's face is quite well-known', emphasizing their notable fame.
Related Patterns
- -는 모양이다It Seems, Appears
Often used with -깨나 to make an inference or assumption about someone having 'quite a bit' of something. For example, '돈깨나 있는 모양이다' (It seems they have quite a bit of money).
- -조차Even, Not Even
Both are emphatic particles that add nuance. While -깨나 emphasizes a large quantity, -조차 ('even') emphasizes an extreme or unexpected item in a negative situation. They are related in their function of adding strong, often negative, emphasis to nouns.
- -밖에Only, Except
Provides a contrast. -깨나 emphasizes a large or significant amount, while -밖에 ('only', 'nothing but') emphasizes a small amount and must be followed by a negative verb. They both modify the noun's quantity but in opposite ways.
- -치고For, Considering
Like -깨나, -치고 is an advanced particle attached to nouns to add a specific nuance. -치고 means 'for a...' or 'considering it's a...', used for making generalizations. Both particles go beyond simple case marking to add complex meaning.