B2 Advanced Grammar 11 min read Hard

Korean Dialects: Regional Verb Endings (-na, -no)

Regional endings transform standard Korean into soulful, expressive 'Satoori' that builds immediate rapport in casual social settings.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

In Gyeongsang dialects, use -na for yes/no questions and -no for open-ended questions to sound like a local.

  • Use -na for questions requiring a yes/no answer: 밥 먹었나? (Did you eat?)
  • Use -no for questions requiring descriptive answers: 뭐 하노? (What are you doing?)
  • These endings replace standard Seoul-style endings like -니 or -나요.
Verb Stem + (-na / -no) = Regional Question

Overview

Korean, or 한국어 (Hangugeo), is often presented to learners as a monolithic entity governed by 표준어 (pyojuneo), the standard language based on the Seoul dialect. However, the Korean peninsula is home to a rich tapestry of regional dialects, known collectively as 사투리 (saturi). For an upper-intermediate learner, moving beyond the textbook standard is essential for authentic communication and a deeper understanding of Korean culture.

Among the most prominent and grammatically distinct dialects is the Gyeongsang dialect (경상도 사투리), spoken in the southeastern region encompassing major cities like Busan and Daegu.

The single most defining grammatical feature of the Gyeongsang dialect is its unique system of interrogative (question) endings. Unlike Standard Korean, which primarily uses intonation to differentiate question types in casual speech, Gyeongsang dialect employs two distinct endings: -나 for Yes/No questions and -노 for Wh-questions (questions using words like who, what, where, when, why, how). This distinction isn't a modern quirk; it's a fascinating linguistic fossil, reflecting a grammatical structure present in Middle Korean that has been lost in the standard Seoul dialect.

Understanding this binary system is the key to unlocking the logic and rhythm of Gyeongsang speech, allowing you to comprehend everything from conversations in K-dramas to the casual banter of native speakers from the region.

How This Grammar Works

The core principle of this grammar is the explicit marking of question types. In Standard Korean informal speech (해체, haeche), the same sentence ending, -어/아, can serve as both a statement and a question, with only a rising intonation signaling the interrogative. The Gyeongsang dialect removes this ambiguity by using dedicated endings for the two fundamental categories of questions.
  1. 1Yes/No Questions with -나?
The ending -나? is used for questions where the expected answer is a simple confirmation or denial (네/아니요, yes/no). You use this when you're seeking to validate a piece of information. The intonation on -나? typically rises, similar to a standard Yes/No question in English or Standard Korean.
  • 밥 먹었나? (Did you eat?) - Seeking a 'yes' or 'no'.
  • 이 영화 재미있나? (Is this movie fun?) - Seeking a 'yes' or 'no'.
  1. 1Wh-Questions with -노?
The ending -노? is used for questions that require a specific piece of information as an answer. These are questions that contain an interrogative word (a 'Wh-word' or '5W1H'). You use this when you are asking for details.
The intonation on -노? is typically flat or slightly falling, as the interrogative word itself already signals that it's a question.
  • 뭐 먹었노? (What did you eat?) - Requires information about the food item.
  • 언제 왔노? (When did you arrive?) - Requires information about the time.
  • 이거는 얼마노? (How much is this?) - Requires information about the price.
This strict division is a powerful tool. A speaker's choice between -나? and -노? immediately clarifies the type of information they are seeking. The system provides a logical and efficient structure that, once learned, makes Gyeongsang questions exceptionally clear.
Compare the standard and dialect forms directly:
| Question Type | Standard Korean (Seoul Dialect) | Gyeongsang Dialect | Logic |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Yes/No | 갔어? (Did you go?) | 갔나? | Seeks confirmation. |
| Wh- | 어디 갔어? (Where did you go?) | 어디 갔노? | Seeks specific information (어디). |
| Yes/No | 예뻐? (Is it pretty?) | 예쁘나? | Seeks confirmation. |
| Wh- | 뭐가 예뻐? (What is pretty?) | 뭐가 예쁘노? | Seeks specific information (뭐가). |
This explicit grammatical marking is a preserved feature from older forms of Korean. In the 하오체 (haoche) speech level of the 19th and early 20th centuries, for instance, there was a similar distinction between explanation-seeking questions (-ㄴ고?) and yes/no questions (-ㄴ가?). The Gyeongsang dialect maintains a living version of this historical grammar in its most casual speech.

Formation Pattern

1
The endings -나? and -노? attach to verb and adjective stems, as well as the copula (이다), following consistent conjugation rules. The pattern depends on tense and whether the stem is a verb, adjective, or noun + copula.
2
Verbs and Adjectives
3
The rule is applied to the stem after it has been conjugated for tense (past, present, future). The choice between -나 and -노 depends only on the question type, not the verb/adjective itself.
4
Past Tense: Stem + -았/었- + 나/노?
5
This is the most common and clearest application of the rule. It's used frequently in everyday conversation.
6
| Verb/Adjective Stem | Tense | Question Type | Full Form | Translation |
7
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
8
| 먹다 (to eat) | Past | Yes/No | 먹었나? | Did you eat? |
9
| 먹다 (to eat) | Past | Wh- | 뭐 먹었노? | What did you eat? |
10
| 예쁘다 (to be pretty) | Past | Yes/No | 예뻤나? | Was it pretty? |
11
| 보다 (to see) | Past | Wh- | 어제 뭐 봤노? | What did you see yesterday? |
12
Present Tense: Adjective Stem + -나/노? or Action Verb Stem + -나/노?
13
For adjectives, the endings attach directly to the stem. For action verbs, the usage can be more nuanced, but -노? is very common for present-tense Wh-questions about an ongoing action.
14
| Verb/Adjective Stem | Tense | Question Type | Full Form | Translation |
15
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
16
| 춥다 (to be cold) | Present | Yes/No | 춥나? | Is it cold? |
17
| 춥다 (to be cold) | Present | Wh- | 오늘 와 이리 춥노? | Why is it so cold today? |
18
| 하다 (to do) | Present | Wh- | 지금 뭐 하노? | What are you doing now? |
19
| 자다 (to sleep) | Present | Yes/No | 아직 자나? | Is he still sleeping? |
20
Future Tense: Stem + -겠- + 나/노?
21
The future/conjecture marker -겠- is inserted before the question ending.
22
| Verb Stem | Tense | Question Type | Full Form | Translation |
23
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
24
| 가다 (to go) | Future | Yes/No | 내일 부산 가겠나? | Will you (be able to) go to Busan tomorrow? |
25
| 하다 (to do) | Future | Wh- | 이걸 누가 하겠노? | Who would do this? |
26
Nouns with the Copula 이다 (to be)
27
When asking a question about a noun (e.g., "Is this a book?" or "What is this?"), a different but related set of endings is used: -가? for Yes/No and -고? for Wh-questions. The -고? ending is the 이다 equivalent of -노?. The form changes slightly depending on whether the noun ends in a vowel or a consonant.
28
Noun ends in a Vowel: Noun + -가/고?
29
| Noun | Question Type | Full Form | Translation |
30
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
31
| 의사 (doctor) | Yes/No | 저 사람 의사가? | Is that person a doctor? |
32
| 의사 (doctor) | Wh- | 무슨 의사고? | What kind of doctor is he? |
33
| 이거 (this) | Wh- | 이거 뭐고? | What is this? |
34
Noun ends in a Consonant: Noun + -이가/이고?
35
The particle 이 is inserted for smoother pronunciation.
36
| Noun | Question Type | Full Form | Translation |
37
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
38
| 학생 (student) | Yes/No | 학생이가? | Are you a student? |
39
| 학생 (student) | Wh- | 어느 학교 학생이고? | Which school's student are you? |
40
| 책 (book) | Wh- | 이거 무슨 책이고? | What book is this? |

When To Use It

Understanding the context for these endings is as important as the grammar itself. Using them incorrectly can make you sound rude or unnatural.
  • Informal Relationships: This grammar belongs to 해라체 (haerache), a plain speech level. It's the equivalent of 반말 (banmal) and is used only with close friends, family members of similar or younger age, and in other casual contexts where 반말 is appropriate. Never use it with superiors, elders, or in formal or professional settings.
  • Regional Identity: Using -나/노 is a strong marker of a Gyeongsang-do background. While widely recognized across Korea due to media exposure, it's actively used primarily by people from or with strong ties to the region. For learners, the initial goal should be comprehension, not production, to avoid sounding like you are mimicking or mocking the dialect.
  • Media Consumption: You will encounter these endings constantly in Korean media. The movie 친구 (Friend) is almost entirely in Gyeongsang dialect. Dramas like the 응답하라 (Reply) series, especially 1997 and 1994, heavily feature characters who use it. Recognizing -나/노 will dramatically improve your listening comprehension of a vast amount of popular culture.
  • Online Communication: In texting, social media comments, and regional online communities, -나/노 are used frequently. Because text lacks intonation, these grammatical endings make the writer's intent perfectly clear, which is a significant advantage over standard 해 which can be ambiguous.

Common Mistakes

Learners often stumble in a few predictable ways when first encountering this grammar. Being aware of these pitfalls can help you avoid them.
  1. 1Mixing Up -나? and -노?
This is the most fundamental error. Using the wrong ending is the equivalent of saying "Did you eat what?" It's grammatically jarring to a native speaker. Always check: does my question expect a 'yes' or 'no', or does it contain a 'Wh-word' (뭐, 언제, 어디, etc.)?
| Mistake | Correction | Reason |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| *오늘 뭐했나? | 오늘 뭐했노? | The question contains 뭐 (what), a Wh-word, so it requires -노?. |
| *밥 먹었노? | 밥 먹었나? | The question expects a 'yes' or 'no' answer, so it requires -나?. |
| *이거 얼마가? | 이거 얼마고? / 이거 얼마노? | 얼마 (how much) is a Wh-word, requiring -고? (for the implied copula) or -노?. |
  1. 1Confusing Gyeongsang -나? with Standard -나(요)?
Standard Korean has a similar-sounding ending, -나(요)? or -는가(요)?, which has a completely different function. It expresses doubt, curiosity, or a self-directed question ("I wonder..."). The Gyeongsang -나? is a direct, assertive question seeking a 'yes' or 'no' answer.
  • Standard -나? (I wonder...): 비가 오나? (I wonder if it's raining.) - Spoken to oneself, looking out the window.
  • Gyeongsang -나? (Direct question): 비 오나? (Is it raining?) - Asked directly to another person, expecting an answer.
  1. 1Using Dialect Endings in Formal Contexts
Applying -나/노 when you should be using polite (-아요/어요?) or formal (-ㅂ/습니까?) speech is a serious social error. It will be perceived as disrespectful. This grammar is strictly for informal situations with peers or juniors.
  1. 1Applying Verb Rules to Nouns
Learners sometimes forget that the copula (이다) has its own special forms (-가?/고?). You cannot attach -나/노 directly to a noun.
  • Wrong: *이 사람 친구나?
  • Right: 이 사람 친구가? (Is this person a friend?)
  • Wrong: *이름이 뭐나?
  • Right: 이름이 뭐고? (What is your name?)

Real Conversations

Seeing the grammar in context makes it much easier to understand. Here are a few short, realistic dialogues.

Dialogue 1: Friends Meeting at a Cafe

A

A

왔나? 일찍 왔네. (You're here? You came early.)
B

B

응. 근데 오늘 와 이리 춥노. (Yeah. But why is it so cold today?)
A

A

겨울 아이가. 안 춥나? (It's winter, isn't it? Aren't you cold?)
B

B

괜찮다. 뭐 마실래? (I'm okay. What do you want to drink?)

Breakdown:

- 왔나?: A classic Yes/No greeting. "Are you here?"

- 와 이리 춥노: A Wh-question. 와 (why) triggers the -노 ending.

- 안 춥나?: A negative Yes/No question. "Are you not cold?"

- 아이가: A very common Gyeongsang pattern for noun questions, short for 아니가? (Isn't it?).

Dialogue 2: A Phone Conversation

A

A

어디고? (Where are you?)
B

B

나 아직 회사다. 일 좀 남았다. (I'm still at the office. I have some work left.)
A

A

아 진짜? 언제 마치노? (Oh really? When do you finish?)
B

B

한 시간 뒤에. 먼저 저녁 먹어라. (In about an hour. Go ahead and eat dinner first.)

Breakdown:

- 어디고?: The copula Wh-question. 어디 + 이다 -> 어디이고? -> 어디고?.

- 언제 마치노?: A clear Wh-question. 언제 (when) requires the -노 ending.

Dialogue 3: Texting About Weekend Plans

A

A

주말에 시간 있나? (Do you have time this weekend?)
B

B

토요일은 약속 있고, 일요일은 괜찮다. 왜? (I have plans Saturday, but Sunday is fine. Why?)
A

A

영화나 볼까 싶어서. 요즘 재밌는 거 뭐 하노? (I was thinking maybe we could see a movie. What fun movies are out these days?)
B

B

글쎄, 한번 찾아보자. (Hmm, let's look it up.)

Breakdown:

- 시간 있나?: A perfect Yes/No question checking for availability.

- 뭐 하노?: A classic Wh-question used here to mean "What [movies] are they showing?"

Quick FAQ

Q

As a learner, should I try to use these endings myself?

A: It's best to approach this with caution. Your primary goal should be comprehension. Using dialect endings without a convincing accent and deep familiarity can sometimes sound like you're making fun of the dialect, even if you have good intentions.
Stick to Standard Korean in your own speech unless you become very close with speakers from the region and feel confident in your ability to use it naturally.
Q

Are there polite versions of -나/노?

A: Yes. The Gyeongsang dialect has a full range of politeness levels. A common polite ending that corresponds to the standard -아요/어요? level is -는교? or -ㄴ교?.
For example, 진지 드셨는교? is a polite way of asking 식사하셨어요? (Did you eat?). However, the -나/노 forms are by far the most common in informal speech and media.
Q

Do other dialects have special question endings?

A: Yes, many do. For example, the Jeolla dialect (전라도 사투리) is famous for its melodic -잉? ending, which can be attached to both statements and questions to add a soft or friendly feeling (e.g., 밥 먹었어잉?). However, the strict grammatical split between Yes/No and Wh-questions is the most defining characteristic of the Gyeongsang system.
Q

Is it always wrong for a Seoul speaker to use -나?

A: Not necessarily, but the function is different. As mentioned in the 'Common Mistakes' section, Standard Korean uses -나(보다) to express supposition (그 사람이 인기가 많나 봐 - It seems that person is popular) or -나 for self-talk (내가 뭘 잘못했나? - I wonder what I did wrong). In these cases, it's not a direct question to another person, which is the key difference from the Gyeongsang usage.

3. Gyeongsang Interrogative Conjugation

Verb Stem Yes/No (-na) Open-ended (-no)
먹다
먹
먹나?
뭐 먹노?
가다
가
가나?
어디 가노?
하다
하
하나?
뭐 하노?
오다
오
오나?
왜 오노?
자다
자
자나?
왜 자노?
보다
보
보나?
뭐 보노?

Meanings

These endings are specific to the Gyeongsang province dialect. They function as interrogative markers that distinguish between binary (yes/no) and open-ended (wh-) questions.

1

Yes/No Question

Used for questions where the answer is binary.

“집에 가나?”

“이거 맛있나?”

2

Open-ended Question

Used for questions requiring information (who, what, where, why).

“뭐 하노?”

“누구랑 있노?”

Reference Table

Reference table for Korean Dialects: Regional Verb Endings (-na, -no)
Type Structure Example
Yes/No
Stem + -na
밥 먹나?
Open-ended
Stem + -no
뭐 하노?
Adjective Y/N
Stem + -na
예쁘나?
Adjective Open
Stem + -no
왜 예쁘노?
Past Y/N
Stem + -anna
먹었나?
Past Open
Stem + -anno
뭐 먹었노?

Formality Spectrum

Formal
가시나요?

가시나요? (Asking a friend)

Neutral
가요?

가요? (Asking a friend)

Informal
가나?

가나? (Asking a friend)

Slang
가나?

가나? (Asking a friend)

Gyeongsang Question Map

Gyeongsang Question

Yes/No

  • -na Binary

Open-ended

  • -no Descriptive
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Examples by Level

1

밥 먹나?

Are you eating?

2

뭐 하노?

What are you doing?

3

가나?

Are you going?

4

어디 가노?

Where are you going?

1

오늘 날씨 좋나?

Is the weather nice today?

2

왜 웃노?

Why are you laughing?

3

이거 내 거가?

Is this mine?

4

누구랑 있노?

Who are you with?

1

그거 진짜인가?

Is that really true?

2

어떻게 알았노?

How did you know?

3

다 왔나?

Have you arrived?

4

뭐라 하노?

What are you saying?

1

지금 바쁘나?

Are you busy right now?

2

무슨 일 있노?

Is something wrong?

3

벌써 갔나?

Did you already leave?

4

왜 안 오노?

Why aren't you coming?

1

이게 정답인가?

Is this the correct answer?

2

어디서 들었노?

Where did you hear that?

3

다 이해했나?

Did you understand everything?

4

누가 그랬노?

Who said that?

1

그게 말이 되나?

Does that make sense?

2

어떻게 그런 생각을 했노?

How did you come up with that idea?

3

정말 괜찮나?

Are you really okay?

4

무슨 생각을 하노?

What are you thinking about?

Easily Confused

Korean Dialects: Regional Verb Endings (-na, -no) vs Standard Korean -니

Learners think -ni is the same as -na.

Common Mistakes

✗

뭐 먹나?

✓

뭐 먹노?

Open-ended questions need -no.
✗

오늘 춥노?

✓

오늘 춥나?

Yes/no questions need -na.
✗

어디 가나요?

✓

어디 가노?

Dialect endings are informal.
✗

왜 그랬나?

✓

왜 그랬노?

Why is an open-ended question.

Sentence Patterns

___ 먹었나?

Real World Usage

Texting very common

뭐 하노?

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💡

Listen first

Listen to Busan natives to hear the pitch.

Smart Tips

Check if it's yes/no.

뭐 먹나? → 뭐 먹노?

Pronunciation

na (low-high-low)

Falling-Rising Pitch

Gyeongsang dialect often uses a specific pitch contour.

Question

가나? (↗)

Rising pitch for yes/no.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Na is for 'No' (Yes/No), No is for 'Not a Yes/No' (Open-ended).

Visual Association

Imagine a binary switch for -na and a wide-open door for -no.

Rhyme

Use -na for a yes or no, use -no for what you know.

Story

A traveler goes to Busan. He asks 'Are you hungry?' using '배고프나?'. The local says 'Yes'. Then he asks 'What do you want?' using '뭐 먹고 싶노?'. The local smiles because he sounds like a local.

Word Web

먹나먹노가나가노하나하노

Challenge

Write 5 questions for a friend from Busan using -na and -no.

Cultural Notes

The dialect is very expressive.

Ancient Silla kingdom roots.

Conversation Starters

“

오늘 밥 먹었나?

Journal Prompts

Write about your day in Busan.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank.

밥 ___?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 먹나
Yes/no question.

Score: /1

Practice Exercises

1 exercises
Fill in the blank.

밥 ___?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 먹나
Yes/no question.

Score: /1

Practice Bank

4 exercises
Translate to Busan Satoori: 'What is this?' Translation

What is this? (Busan style)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 이게 뭐고?
Match the dialect ending to its vibe. Match Pairs

Match the pairs:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: All matched correctly
Reorder: [하노] [지금] [뭐] Sentence Reorder

지금 뭐 하노

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 지금 뭐 하노
Fill in the blank: 'I'm leaving now! (Friendly/Busan)' Fill in the Blank

낸 이제 간___!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 데이

Score: /4

FAQ (1)

Only if you are joking or showing off.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish low

Intonation

Spanish lacks morphological markers for question types.

French low

Est-ce que

French doesn't change verb endings.

German low

Verb-first

German changes word order.

Japanese low

Ka

Japanese is not dialect-specific.

Arabic low

Hal/A

Arabic uses particles at the start.

Chinese low

Ma

Chinese is not dialect-specific.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Poetic 'But': Literary Contrast (-건만)

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