Indirect Questions: Knowing Who, Where, and If (-는지)
who, where, or if into sentences with know, wonder, or ask.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use -는지 to embed a question inside another sentence, like saying 'I don't know who he is.'
- Attach -는지 directly to verb stems for present tense: 어디 가는지 (where he is going).
- Use -었/았는지 for past tense: 무엇을 먹었는지 (what he ate).
- Use -을/ㄹ 건지 for future tense: 언제 올 건지 (when he will come).
Overview
The Korean grammar pattern -(으)ㄴ/는지 serves as a crucial tool for embedding questions within larger sentences, transforming them into nominal clauses. This construction is fundamental for indirect speech, politeness, and conveying uncertainty in Korean communication. Instead of posing a direct question like 어디예요? (Where is it?), you can integrate it into a statement or another question, such as 어디에 있는지 알아요? (Do you know where it is?).
This softens the inquiry, reflecting the cultural emphasis on indirectness and respect in many Korean social interactions. Mastery of -(으)ㄴ/는지 is essential for moving beyond basic sentence structures and expressing more nuanced thoughts, allowing you to ask, wonder, or know about who, what, where, when, why, how, or if/whether something is true, happened, or will happen.
How This Grammar Works
-(으)ㄴ/는지 functions as a nominalizer, converting an entire clause that would otherwise be a direct question into a noun clause. This newly formed noun clause then acts as the object of a main verb that expresses cognition, inquiry, or uncertainty. Common main verbs that follow -(으)ㄴ/는지 include 알다 (to know), 모르다 (to not know), 궁금하다 (to wonder), 묻다 (to ask), 생각하다 (to think/consider), 확인하다 (to check/confirm), 결정하다 (to decide), and 알아보다 (to find out/investigate).-(으)ㄴ지, -는지, or -(으)ㄹ지 depends critically on the type of predicate (action verb, descriptive verb, or noun + 이다) and the tense (present, past, future/speculative) of the embedded question.누가 (who), 무엇을 (what), 어디에 (where), 언제 (when), 왜 (why), 어떻게 (how)), the -(으)ㄴ/는지 construction directly incorporates that question word. For instance, 그가 누구인지 궁금해요. (I wonder who he is.) or 열차가 언제 오는지 모르겠어요. (I don't know when the train is coming.). If the embedded question is a yes/no question (lacking an interrogative pronoun), -(으)ㄴ/는지 conveys the meaning of "if" or "whether." For example, 그가 갔는지 모르겠어요. (I don't know if he went.) Here, the underlying question is 그가 갔어요? (Did he go?).-(으)ㄴ/는지 allows for a more indirect and often more polite way of seeking information or expressing a lack of knowledge.Formation Pattern
-(으)ㄴ/는지 requires careful attention to the type of predicate (action verb, descriptive verb, or noun + 이다) and the tense of the embedded clause. The core principle involves attaching the appropriate form of -(으)ㄴ/는지 to the verb stem or noun. Romanization is provided for key examples, but learners should prioritize understanding Hangeul.
가다, to go) | Example (먹다, to eat) |
-는지 | 가는지 (ga-neun-ji) | 먹는지 (meok-neun-ji) |
-(았/었)는지 | 갔는지 (gan-neun-ji) | 먹었는지 (meo-geot-neun-ji) |
-(으)ㄹ지 (Note: This form specifically conveys future uncertainty or possibility, not just future tense.) | 갈지 (gal-ji) | 먹을지 (meo-geul-ji) |
친구가 어디에 가는지 알아요? (Do you know where your friend is going?) Formal: 압니다 / Casual: 알아요
그 사람이 무엇을 먹었는지 기억 안 나요. (I don't remember what that person ate.) Formal: 기억 안 납니다 / Casual: 기억 안 나요
내일 비가 올지 모르겠어요. (I don't know if it will rain tomorrow.) Formal: 모르겠습니다 / Casual: 모르겠어요
크다, big) | Example (작다, small) |
-ㄴ지 / Consonant ending stem: -은지 | 큰지 (keun-ji) | 작은지 (jak-eun-ji) |
-(았/었)는지 | 컸는지 (keot-neun-ji) | 작았는지 (ja-gat-neun-ji) |
-(으)ㄹ지 | 클지 (keul-ji) | 작을지 (jak-eul-ji) |
이 옷이 비싼지 궁금해요. (I wonder if these clothes are expensive.) Formal: 궁금합니다 / Casual: 궁금해요
시험이 쉬웠는지 물어봤어요. (I asked if the exam was easy.) Formal: 물어봤습니다 / Casual: 물어봤어요
날씨가 좋을지 걱정돼요. (I'm worried if the weather will be good.) Formal: 걱정됩니다 / Casual: 걱정돼요
이다 (to be)
이다 (to be), a specific form is used.
학생, student) | Example (의사, doctor) |
-인지 / Noun with final vowel: -인지 | 학생인지 (hak-saeng-in-ji) | 의사인지 (ui-sa-in-ji) |
이었는지/였는지 | 학생이었는지 (hak-saeng-i-eot-neun-ji) | 의사였는지 (ui-sa-yeot-neun-ji) |
일지 | 학생일지 (hak-saeng-il-ji) | 의사일지 (ui-sa-il-ji) |
그 사람이 한국 사람인지 몰랐어요. (I didn't know if that person was Korean.) Formal: 몰랐습니다 / Casual: 몰랐어요
그 사건이 사고였는지 조사하고 있어요. (They are investigating whether that incident was an accident.) Formal: 조사하고 있습니다 / Casual: 조사하고 있어요
그것이 사실일지 의문이에요. (It's questionable whether that is true.) Formal: 의문입니다 / Casual: 의문이에요
있다 (to exist/have) and 없다 (to not exist/have)
있다 and 없다 consistently follow the action verb present tense rule with -(는)지.
있다 | 있는지 | it-neun-ji |
없다 | 없는지 | eop-neun-ji |
지갑이 어디에 있는지 기억이 안 나요. (I don't remember where my wallet is.) Formal: 기억이 안 납니다 / Casual: 기억이 안 나요
여기에 주차장이 없는지 확인해 주세요. (Please check if there's no parking lot here.) Formal: 확인해 주십시오 / Casual: 확인해 주세요
-(으)ㄴ/는지 forms. Consult a comprehensive list of irregular verbs for full details.
ㅂ Irregular Verbs (e.g., 돕다 (to help), 춥다 (to be cold), 아름답다 (to be beautiful))
ㅂ changes to ㅜ (or ㅗ for 돕다) before vowel endings. This applies to -(으)ㄴ지 for descriptive verbs and -(으)ㄹ지 for future/speculative.
아름답다 (beautiful) → 아름다운지 (areum-da-un-ji) / 아름다울지 (areum-da-ul-ji)
춥다 (cold) → 추운지 (chu-un-ji) / 추울지 (chu-ul-ji)
돕다 (help) → 도와주는지 (present, action verb) / 도왔는지 (past) / 도울지 (future/speculative)
ㄷ Irregular Verbs (e.g., 듣다 (to listen), 걷다 (to walk))
ㄷ changes to ㄹ before vowel endings. This applies to -(으)ㄴ지 for descriptive verbs (if any, though most are action) and -(으)ㄹ지 for future/speculative.
듣다 (listen) → 듣는지 (deut-neun-ji) (present, action verb) / 들었는지 (deu-reot-neun-ji) (past) / 들을지 (deu-reul-ji) (future/speculative)
ㄹ Irregular Verbs (e.g., 살다 (to live), 만들다 (to make))
ㄹ drops when followed by -ㄴ, -ㅂ, -ㅅ, or -(으)ㄹ. This primarily affects descriptive verbs using -(으)ㄴ지 and the future -(으)ㄹ지 when the stem ends in ㄹ.
살다 (live) → 사는지 (sa-neun-ji) (present, action verb, ㄹ drops before -는) / 살았는지 (sa-rat-neun-ji) (past) / 살지 (sal-ji) (future/speculative, ㄹ remains)
만들다 (make) → 만드는지 (man-deu-neun-ji) (present, action verb, ㄹ drops before -는) / 만들었는지 (man-deu-reot-neun-ji) (past) / 만들지 (man-deul-ji) (future/speculative, ㄹ remains)
길다 (long) → 긴지 (gin-ji) (present, descriptive verb, ㄹ drops before -ㄴ) / 길었는지 (gi-reot-neun-ji) (past) / 길지 (gil-ji) (future/speculative, ㄹ remains)
ㅅ Irregular Verbs (e.g., 낫다 (to be better/recover), 잇다 (to connect))
ㅅ drops before vowel endings.
낫다 (recover) → 낫는지 (nat-neun-ji) (present, action verb) / 나았는지 (na-at-neun-ji) (past) / 나을지 (na-eul-ji) (future/speculative)
ㅎ Irregular Descriptive Verbs (e.g., 빨갛다 (to be red), 까맣다 (to be black))
ㅎ and the following vowel change (ㅏ or ㅐ become ㅐ).
빨갛다 (red) → 빨개진지 (ppal-gae-jin-ji) (if it turned red) / 빨갛지 (ppal-gat-ji) (if it is red, no vowel ending, so no change). For -(으)ㄴ지, the ㅎ drops and the vowel changes. 빨갛다 → 빨간지 (ppal-gan-ji).
-(으)ㄹ지: While listed within the formation tables, -(으)ㄹ지 specifically denotes future uncertainty or possibility, or a sense of deliberation/speculation about a future event or choice. It is distinct from merely expressing the future tense of an embedded question about a known fact. For example, 내일 시험이 어려울지 모르겠어요. (I don't know if tomorrow's exam will be difficult.) expresses uncertainty about difficulty. Compare 내일 시험이 어려웠는지 물어봤어요. (I asked if yesterday's exam was difficult.) which is about a past fact. The semantic role of -(으)ㄹ지 is crucial to its correct application.
When To Use It
-(으)ㄴ/는지 is indispensable in various communication contexts, particularly when directness is either inappropriate, too blunt, or simply not possible due to a lack of information. Its primary functions revolve around managing uncertainty, politeness, and indirect reporting.- Expressing Curiosity or Wonder: When you are genuinely curious about something and wish to express that internal state.
그 가수가 어디 사는지 궁금해요.(I wonder where that singer lives.) Formal:궁금합니다/ Casual:궁금해요이 책이 얼마인지 알고 싶어요.(I want to know how much this book is.) Formal:알고 싶습니다/ Casual:알고 싶어요
- Seeking Information Politely: To make requests or inquiries less direct and thus more courteous.
은행이 몇 시에 문을 여는지 아세요?(Do you know what time the bank opens?) Formal:아십니까/ Casual:아세요김 선생님이 어느 분인지 말씀해 주시겠어요?(Could you tell me who Mr. Kim is?) Formal:말씀해 주시겠습니까/ Casual:말씀해 주시겠어요
- Reporting Questions Indirectly: When recounting what someone asked, or relaying a question without directly quoting it.
친구가 언제 여행을 갈 건지 저에게 물어봤어요.(My friend asked me when they would go on a trip.) Formal:물어봤습니다/ Casual:물어봤어요보고서가 언제까지 끝내야 하는지 아직 몰라요.(I still don't know by when the report needs to be finished.) Formal:모릅니다/ Casual:몰라요
- Expressing Uncertainty or Lack of Knowledge: Acknowledging that you do not know specific information.
이 문제가 왜 이렇게 어려운지 이해가 안 돼요.(I don't understand why this problem is so difficult.) Formal:이해가 안 됩니다/ Casual:이해가 안 돼요오늘 회의가 있는지 없는지 확인해봐야겠어요.(I should check if there's a meeting today or not.) Formal:확인해봐야겠습니다/ Casual:확인해봐야겠어요
- Deliberation or Decision-Making: Especially with
-(으)ㄹ지, used when considering options or making a choice. 점심으로 무엇을 먹을지 고민 중이에요.(I'm debating what to eat for lunch.) Formal:고민 중입니다/ Casual:고민 중이에요이번 주말에 어디로 갈지 아직 결정 못 했어요.(I haven't decided where to go this weekend yet.) Formal:결정 못 했습니다/ Casual:결정 못 했어요
Common Mistakes
-(으)ㄴ/는지. Awareness of these common errors can significantly accelerate mastery.- Confusing Action and Descriptive Verb Forms in Present Tense: This is perhaps the most frequent error.
- Incorrect:
그가 바쁘는지 몰랐어요.(I didn't know if he was busy.) - Correct:
그가 바쁜지 몰랐어요.(바쁘다is a descriptive verb, thus바쁜지.) - Rule Reminder: Action verbs use
-는지in present tense (e.g.,가는지,먹는지). Descriptive verbs use-(으)ㄴ지(e.g.,예쁜지,큰지). Remember that있다and없다always follow the action verb rule, taking있는지and없는지.
- Incorrectly Applying
ㄹIrregular Verb Rules: Many learners forget to drop theㄹwhen forming-(으)ㄴ/는지withㄹending stems. - Incorrect:
그 사람이 살는지 모르겠어요.(I don't know if that person lives.) - Correct:
그 사람이 사는지 모르겠어요.(살다is anㄹirregular verb;ㄹdrops before-는.) - Rule Reminder: For action verbs ending in
ㄹ(e.g.,살다,만들다), theㄹdrops before-는지. For descriptive verbs ending inㄹ(e.g.,길다), theㄹdrops before-(으)ㄴ지to form-ㄴ지.
- Misusing
-(으)ㄹ지for Present/Past Facts:-(으)ㄹ지is for future uncertainty or speculation, not for questioning established present or past facts. - Incorrect:
그가 학생일지 궁금해요.(I wonder if he is a student.) (If you are wondering about his current status as a student, use present tense.) - Correct:
그가 학생인지 궁금해요.(I wonder if he is a student.) - Rule Reminder: Use
-(으)ㄹ지only when there is genuine uncertainty about a future event or possibility. For present or past conditions, use-(으)ㄴ/는지and-(았/었)는지respectively.
- Omitting the Main Verb:
-(으)ㄴ/는지creates a noun clause, which typically requires a main verb (like알다,모르다,궁금하다) to complete the sentence. While casual speech might occasionally drop the final verb for effect, it's grammatically incomplete. - Incorrect (in most formal contexts):
이 책이 얼마인지. - Correct:
이 책이 얼마인지 궁금해요.(I wonder how much this book is.)
- Confusing with Conditional
-(으)면(If): While both can translate to
Conjugation of -는지
| Tense/Type | Verb/Adj | Formation |
|---|---|---|
|
Present (Verb)
|
가다
|
가는지
|
|
Past (Verb)
|
가다
|
갔는지
|
|
Future (Verb)
|
가다
|
갈 건지
|
|
Present (Adj)
|
예쁘다
|
예쁜지
|
|
Copula
|
학생이다
|
학생인지
|
Meanings
This grammar pattern turns a direct question into an indirect one, allowing it to function as the object of verbs like 'to know', 'to wonder', or 'to tell'.
Unknown Information
Used to express uncertainty or lack of knowledge about a fact.
“누가 오는지 알아요?”
“무엇을 해야 하는지 모르겠어요.”
Indirect Inquiry
Used to ask for information politely by embedding the question.
“이게 얼마인지 알려주세요.”
“언제 끝나는지 말씀해 주시겠어요?”
Confirmation
Used to check if a fact is true or to confirm a situation.
“그가 정말로 가는지 확인해 봐.”
“비가 오는지 창밖을 봐.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Present
|
Stem + 는지
|
어디 가는지
|
|
Past
|
Stem + 었/았는지
|
무엇을 먹었는지
|
|
Future
|
Stem + 을/ㄹ 건지
|
언제 올 건지
|
|
Adjective
|
Stem + (으)ㄴ지
|
얼마나 큰지
|
|
Copula
|
Noun + 인지
|
누구인지
|
|
Negative
|
안 + Verb + 는지
|
안 먹는지
|
Formality Spectrum
그가 어디에 있는지 모릅니다. (General statement)
그가 어디에 있는지 몰라요. (General statement)
그가 어디에 있는지 몰라. (General statement)
걔 어디 있는지 몰라. (General statement)
The -는지 Connection
Question
- 누가 who
- 어디 where
- 언제 when
Examples by Level
어디 가는지 몰라요.
I don't know where (he) is going.
누가 오는지 알아요?
Do you know who is coming?
무엇을 먹었는지 기억이 안 나요.
I don't remember what I ate.
언제 끝나는지 궁금해요.
I am curious when it ends.
이게 얼마인지 말해 주세요.
Please tell me how much this is.
그 사람이 왜 화가 났는지 모르겠어요.
I don't know why he is angry.
어떻게 하는지 가르쳐 줄 수 있어요?
Can you teach me how to do it?
비가 오는지 창밖을 확인해 보세요.
Check outside to see if it is raining.
어디가 맛있는지 추천해 주세요.
Please recommend where is delicious.
결과가 언제 나올 건지 확인해 보았습니다.
I checked when the results will come out.
그가 정말로 갈 건지 의문입니다.
It is doubtful whether he will actually go.
어떤 옷이 더 예쁜지 고민 중이에요.
I am debating which clothes are prettier.
누가 이 프로젝트를 맡을 건지 결정해야 해요.
We must decide who will take on this project.
그가 왜 그런 결정을 내렸는지 이해하기 어렵습니다.
It is difficult to understand why he made such a decision.
상황이 어떻게 변할 건지 예측하기는 쉽지 않습니다.
It is not easy to predict how the situation will change.
그녀가 어디에 있는지 아무도 모르는 것 같습니다.
It seems no one knows where she is.
무엇이 문제인지 근본적인 원인을 찾아야 합니다.
We must find the root cause of what the problem is.
과연 그 계획이 실현 가능한지 다시 한번 검토해 볼 필요가 있습니다.
There is a need to re-examine whether that plan is truly feasible.
그가 진심으로 사과하는지 의심스럽다는 의견이 지배적입니다.
The prevailing opinion is that it is doubtful whether he is apologizing sincerely.
어느 쪽이 더 합리적인지 논의를 거쳐 결정할 예정입니다.
We plan to decide after discussion which side is more rational.
그 사건이 언제 발생했는지에 대한 증거가 불충분합니다.
Evidence regarding when the incident occurred is insufficient.
Easily Confused
Both nominalize verbs.
Common Mistakes
어디 가요를 알아요?
어디 가는지 알아요?
무엇을 먹었어는지 몰라요.
무엇을 먹었는지 몰라요.
예쁜는지 몰라요.
예쁜지 몰라요.
그가 갈 것인지 알아요.
그가 갈 건지 알아요.
Sentence Patterns
___(이/가) ___는지 아세요?
Real World Usage
어디 도착했는지 알려줘!
언제부터 출근 가능한지 궁금합니다.
이 기차가 어디로 가는지 아세요?
주문이 언제 도착하는지 확인해 주세요.
다들 어디 가는지 궁금하다.
이게 무슨 뜻인지 모르겠어요.
Focus on the stem
No direct endings
Use with '알다'
Politeness
Smart Tips
Use -는지 to soften the question.
Pronunciation
Linking
The 'j' sound in -는지 often links with the following word.
Falling
어디 가는지 몰라요↘
Statement of fact
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of -는지 as a 'Question Hook' that grabs a question and pulls it into your sentence.
Visual Association
Imagine a fishing rod catching a question mark and reeling it into a box labeled 'Knowledge'.
Rhyme
When you don't know the who or the where, add -는지 with care.
Story
Min-su is lost. He wonders 'Where is the station?' He uses -는지 to ask a stranger: '역이 어디에 있는지 아세요?' The stranger points the way. Min-su is happy.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences today using 'I don't know...' with -는지.
Cultural Notes
Using indirect questions is considered more polite in Korean culture as it avoids direct confrontation or bluntness.
Derived from the verb '지다' (to become) and the nominalizer '-는'.
Conversation Starters
오늘 저녁에 뭐 먹을지 생각했어요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
그가 어디에 ___ 몰라요.
무엇을 ___ 몰라요.
Find and fix the mistake:
어디 가요를 알아요?
어디에 살아요? -> I don't know...
Can I use -는지 with adjectives?
A: 언제 와요? B: ___.
I / know / who / is / coming
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises그가 어디에 ___ 몰라요.
무엇을 ___ 몰라요.
Find and fix the mistake:
어디 가요를 알아요?
어디에 살아요? -> I don't know...
Can I use -는지 with adjectives?
A: 언제 와요? B: ___.
I / know / who / is / coming
Future tense form
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercises그가 무엇을 ___ 아세요?
학교가 ___ 모르겠어요.
Choose the correct Korean sentence:
영화가 재미있는지 물어봤어요.
어디로 / 지 / 모르겠어요 / 갈
Match the correct pairs.
Do you know if Kimchi is spicy?
Select the correct ending.
어제 누가 왔는지 알아요? (Correct)
문제가 ___ 궁금해요.
이것이 뭐___ 아세요?
문이 / 확인해 / 닫혔는지 / 주세요
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
Yes, it works with almost all verbs.
It is neutral and used in all registers.
Follow standard conjugation rules.
Yes, e.g., 'Do you know where he is?'
Adjectives have different conjugation rules in Korean.
Yes, use -었/았는지.
No, -기 is for general nouns.
Use -는지.
Scaffolded Practice
1
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3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Embedded questions
English uses word order changes; Korean uses verb endings.
ka
Korean -는지 is more versatile.
si / interrogative
Korean uses the same ending for all questions.
ob
Korean -는지 is a suffix.
si
Korean -는지 is a suffix.
是否
Korean is agglutinative.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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