-나 마나
Whether or Not, Pointless
Used to say that doing an action is pointless because the result will be the same regardless.
How It Works
The grammar pattern -나 마나 / -으나 마나 is used to express that performing an action is pointless because the result will be the same whether you do it or not. It conveys a sense of futility or a predictable, unchangeable outcome.
How to use:
Attach to the verb stem.
- For stems ending in a vowel or ㄹ: Drop the ㄹ and attach -나 마나. (e.g., 가다 → 가나 마나; 만들다 → 만드나 마나)
- For stems ending in a consonant (except ㄹ): Attach -으나 마나. (e.g., 먹다 → 먹으나 마나)
While -나 마나 is sometimes used colloquially for consonant stems, -으나 마나 is the grammatically standard form. For irregular verbs, the usual changes apply before adding -으나 마나 (e.g., 묻다 → 물으나 마나).
This expression is often followed by a phrase that confirms the predictable outcome, such as:
- 똑같다 (it's the same)
- 소용없다 (it's no use)
- 뻔하다 (it's obvious)
- A statement describing the inevitable result.
For example, if you know a friend will refuse your request, you could say, "부탁하나 마나 거절할 거예요," meaning "It's pointless to ask; he'll refuse anyway."
It's similar to the English expressions "There's no point in..." or "It makes no difference whether..."
Examples (4)
- 그에게 물어보나 마나 대답은 똑같을 거예요.
It's pointless to ask him; his answer will be the same anyway.
Word by Word: To him ask whether or not the answer will be the same.
- 지금 출발하나 마나 기차는 이미 떠났어요.
Whether we leave now or not, it's no use; the train has already left.
Word by Word: Now depart whether or not the train already left.
- 그 영화는 보나 마나 결말이 뻔해요.
There's no point in watching that movie; the ending is obvious.
Word by Word: That movie watch whether or not the ending is obvious.
- 약을 먹으나 마나 감기가 낫지 않아요.
Whether I take medicine or not, my cold doesn't get better.
Word by Word: Medicine take whether or not the cold does not get better.
For verb stems ending in a consonant, like 먹다, the standard grammatical form is -으나 마나.
Common Mistakes
Confusing -나 마나 with patterns expressing choice, like -거나.
Not Quite시험을 보거나 마나 떨어질 거예요.Better시험을 보나 마나 떨어질 거예요.-거나 is used to list alternative actions (A or B). -나 마나 is a set phrase meaning 'whether one does X or not, the result is the same'. The incorrect sentence sounds like you're choosing between taking the test and not taking it, which is awkward. The correct sentence means 'It's pointless to take the test; I'll fail anyway.'
Learn This First
To express 'whether or not/pointless', you need alternative patterns and conjugation.
Related Patterns
- -아/어 봤자Even if You Do
Both express futility. -아/어 봤자 means 'even if you do X, it's no use', focusing on the lack of a positive result despite the action. -나 마나 focuses on the outcome being identical whether the action is performed or not.
- -거나 말거나Whether or Not
Both mean 'whether or not', but the nuance is different. -거나 말거나 expresses the speaker's indifference to someone else's action ('I don't care if you do it or not'). -나 마나 expresses that the action itself is pointless due to a fixed outcome.
- -더라도Even if, Although
-더라도 means 'even if' or 'although' and presents a hypothetical condition that doesn't affect the main clause. It doesn't necessarily imply futility. Example: '가더라도 전화해' (Even if you go, call me). -나 마나 specifically implies the action is useless.
- -(으)ㄹ 필요가 있다/없다Need to, Don't Need to
-나 마나 often implies that there is -ㄹ 필요가 없다 (no need to do something). If an action is '하나 마나' (pointless to do), then logically there is '할 필요가 없다' (no need to do it).