Whether or Not (-ㄴ/은/는지)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use -는지 to turn a question into a statement, like saying 'I wonder whether...' or 'I know who...'.
- Use -는지 with verbs: 먹는지 (whether they eat).
- Use -ㄴ/은지 with adjectives: 예쁜지 (whether it is pretty).
- Use -인지 with nouns: 학생인지 (whether they are a student).
Overview
Korean grammar employs -(느)ㄴ/은/는지 (romanization: -(neu)n/eun/neunji) as a sophisticated grammatical construction to embed indirect questions or express uncertainty within a larger sentence. This pattern allows speakers to convey that they are inquiring about, wondering about, or do not know the truth value of a proposition, rather than directly asking a question. It functions similarly to English phrases such as “whether or not,” “if,” or “I wonder.” At a B1 CEFR level, mastering -(느)ㄴ/은/는지 is crucial for engaging in more nuanced conversations, formulating polite inquiries, and expressing complex thoughts beyond simple declarative or interrogative sentences.
This pattern moves beyond basic question formation, allowing you to discuss the act of questioning or the state of not knowing.
The core linguistic principle behind -(느)ㄴ/은/는지 is nominalization; it transforms an entire clause (which implicitly contains a question) into a noun phrase. This noun phrase then typically functions as the object of a main verb that expresses an action or state related to the uncertainty or inquiry. For instance, instead of directly asking 비가 와요? (Is it raining?), you can integrate this question into a sentence like 비가 오는지 몰라요. (I don't know whether it's raining.).
This adds a layer of indirectness and often politeness, which is highly valued in Korean communication. Understanding its precise application will significantly enhance your ability to convey curiosity, doubt, or the need for verification in a natural and idiomatic way.
How This Grammar Works
-(느)ㄴ/은/는지 serves as an indirect question marker. It takes a propositional statement or question and embeds it within another clause, allowing you to express your relationship to that information—whether you know it, don't know it, are curious about it, or need to confirm it. This pattern is appended to verb stems, adjective stems, or nouns, and its form changes slightly depending on the grammatical category and tense.-는지 clause acts as a nominalized clause, effectively turning the question into a concept that can be the object of various main verbs.-(느)ㄴ/은/는지 are those related to cognition, inquiry, or discovery. These include 알다 (to know), 모르다 (to not know), 궁금하다 (to be curious), 묻다 (to ask), 확인하다 (to check/confirm), 생각하다 (to think/consider), 결정하다 (to decide), and 알려주다 (to inform/let know). For example, if you want to ask someone to verify if a package has arrived, you would say 소포가 도착했는지 확인해 주세요. (Please check whether the package has arrived.).소포가 도착했는지 functions as the object of 확인하다.안 or 말다. The construction becomes Verb Stem -는지 안 Verb Stem -는지 for action verbs, or Adjective Stem -(으)ㄴ지 안 Adjective Stem -(으)ㄴ지 for adjectives, or Verb Stem -(으)ㄹ지 말지 for future actions. For instance, 그가 오는지 안 오는지 모르겠어요. (I don't know whether he's coming or not.) clearly presents both alternatives.Formation Pattern
-(느)ㄴ/은/는지 depends systematically on whether the preceding word is a verb, an adjective, or a noun, and its tense. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for correct application.
-는지 to the verb stem, regardless of whether it ends in a batchim (final consonant) or not.
-는지 | 가다 (to go) | 가는지 | ganeunji |
-는지 | 먹다 (to eat) | 먹는지 | meongneunji |
ㄹ (irregular) | Drop ㄹ, add -는지 | 만들다 (to make) | 만드는지 | mandeuneunji |
지금 어디에 가는지 모르겠어요. (I don't know where he's going now.)
친구가 뭘 먹는지 궁금해요. (I'm curious what my friend is eating.)
-ㄴ지 | 크다 (to be big) | 큰지 | keunji |
-은지 | 작다 (to be small)| 작은지 | jageunji |
있다/없다 (exceptions) | -는지 | 있는지/없는지 | 있는지/없는지 | inneunji/eomneunji |
ㅂ (irregular) | Drop ㅂ, add -운지 | 아름답다 (to be beautiful) | 아름다운지 | areumdaunji |
날씨가 좋은지 모르겠어요. (I don't know if the weather is good.)
방이 넓은지 확인해 보세요. (Please check if the room is spacious.)
친구가 집에 있는지 궁금해요. (I'm curious if my friend is home.)
-(이)ㄴ지. The 이 is included if the noun ends in a consonant.
-인지 | 학생 (student) | 학생인지 | haksaenginji |
-ㄴ지 | 의사 (doctor) | 의사인지 | uisainji |
그 사람이 선생님인지 물어봤어요. (I asked if that person was a teacher.)
이게 제 것인지 아닌지 모르겠어요. (I don't know if this is mine or not.)
-았/었/했는지 to the respective past tense stem.
가다 | 갔- | -는지 | 갔는지 | gannneunji |
먹다 | 먹었- | -는지 | 먹었는지 | meogeonneunji |
공부하다 | 공부했- | -는지 | 공부했는지 | gongbuhaenneunji |
좋다 | 좋았- | -는지 | 좋았는지 | joanneunji |
시험이 어땠는지 궁금해요. (I'm curious how the exam was.)
친구가 벌써 왔는지 모르겠어요. (I don't know if my friend has already come.)
-(으)ㄹ지. This form frequently combines with 모르다 to express “I don’t know whether/if something will happen.”
-ㄹ지 | 가다 (to go) | 갈지 | galji |
-을지 | 먹다 (to eat) | 먹을지 | meogeulji |
ㄹ | Drop ㄹ, add -ㄹ지 | 만들다 (to make) | 만들지 | mandeulji |
내일 비가 올지 모르겠어요. (I don't know if it will rain tomorrow.)
어느 식당으로 갈지 아직 결정 못 했어요. (I haven't decided which restaurant to go to yet.)
-(느)ㄴ/은/는지, the honorific suffix -(으)시- is inserted before the -(느)ㄴ/은/는지 pattern.
가시다 (to go, honorific) → 가시는지 (가시는지 아세요? - Do you know if they are going?)
오시다 (to come, honorific) → 오셨는지 (부장님께서 오셨는지 확인해 주세요. - Please check if the section chief has come.)
계시다 (to be, honorific) → 계실지 (선생님이 계실지 모르겠네요. - I don't know if the teacher will be there.)
-(느)ㄴ/은/는지 for various grammatical contexts, providing the necessary flexibility to express complex inquiries.
When To Use It
-(느)ㄴ/은/는지 is a versatile pattern used in a variety of contexts to express inquiry, uncertainty, or the process of checking information. Its primary function is to embed questions indirectly, making your communication more polite, reflective, or simply factual regarding an unknown.-(느)ㄴ/은/는지 with verbs like 모르다 (to not know), 잘 모르겠다 (I'm not sure), or 궁금하다 (to be curious).그가 언제 도착하는지 모르겠어요.(I don't know when he is arriving.)시험 결과가 좋은지 궁금해요.(I'm curious if the exam results are good.)내일 회의가 있는지 잘 모르겠어요.(I'm not sure if there's a meeting tomorrow.)
-(느)ㄴ/은/는지 allows you to frame your inquiry more softly, often with 알다 (to know), 묻다 (to ask), or 알려주다 (to inform).김 선생님이 계시는지 아세요?(Do you know if Mr. Kim is here? - more polite than김 선생님 계세요?)이 책이 얼마인지 물어봤어요.(I asked how much this book was.)결과가 나오면 저에게 알려주세요.(Please let me know when the results come out.)
-(느)ㄴ/은/는지 with 확인하다 (to confirm/check).문이 잠겼는지 확인해 주세요.(Please check if the door is locked.)주문이 제대로 들어갔는지 확인해야 해요.(I need to confirm if the order was placed correctly.)
생각하다 (to think/consider) or 고민하다 (to worry/deliberate).점심으로 뭘 먹을지 생각 중이에요.(I'm in the middle of thinking about what to eat for lunch.)어떤 옷을 살지 고민하고 있어요.(I'm deliberating about which clothes to buy.)
-(느)ㄴ/은/는지 can end a sentence, often implying a trailing thought or internal question. This adds a nuanced, pondering tone.벌써 시간이 이렇게 됐는지...(Has it already gotten this late, I wonder...)내가 뭘 잘못했는지...(What did I do wrong, I wonder...)
-(느)ㄴ/은/는지 can be used to present information that the speaker knows but frames it as if it were an answer to an implied question, especially in formal reports or when providing detailed explanations. 조사 결과, 그 물질이 유해한지 밝혀졌습니다. (As a result of the investigation, it was revealed that the substance is harmful.) Here, the harm is now known, but it's framed as what the investigation sought to answer. This usage is more advanced but demonstrates the pattern's adaptability.-(느)ㄴ/은/는지 for expressing complex cognitive states and communication needs in Korean.Common Mistakes
-(느)ㄴ/은/는지. Awareness of these pitfalls can prevent miscommunication and improve fluency.-(느)ㄴ/은/는지 with -(으)ㄴ 지 (Time Duration):-(으)ㄴ 지 (with a space) indicates the duration since an event occurred, and it is usually followed by a time expression and 되다 (to pass/become).- Incorrect:
한국에 온지 3년 됐어요.(Missing space, implies
Formation Rules
| Type | Present | Past | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Action Verb
|
-는지
|
-았/었는지
|
가는지 / 갔는지
|
|
Descriptive Verb
|
-ㄴ/은지
|
-았/었는지
|
예쁜지 / 예뻤는지
|
|
Noun
|
-인지
|
-이었/였는지
|
학생인지 / 학생이었는지
|
Common Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction |
|---|---|
|
무엇인지
|
뭔지
|
|
어디인지
|
어딘지
|
|
누구인지
|
누군지
|
Meanings
This pattern embeds an interrogative clause into a larger sentence, often used with verbs like 'to know', 'to wonder', or 'to decide'.
Indirect Question
Expressing uncertainty or curiosity about a fact.
“무엇을 먹는지 고민이에요.”
“누가 오는지 아세요?”
Determining a Fact
Used when the speaker is verifying information.
“그 사람이 한국 사람인지 확인해 보세요.”
“이게 맛있는지 먹어 봐요.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Verb + -는지
|
그가 오는지 알아요.
|
|
Negative
|
Verb + -지 않다 + -는지
|
그가 오지 않는지 몰라요.
|
|
Question
|
Verb + -는지 + 아세요?
|
그가 오는지 아세요?
|
|
Past
|
Verb + -았/었는지
|
그가 갔는지 몰라요.
|
|
Adjective
|
Adj + -ㄴ/은지
|
날씨가 좋은지 보세요.
|
|
Noun
|
Noun + -인지
|
이게 책인지 확인하세요.
|
Formality Spectrum
그가 오는지 모르겠습니다. (General)
그가 오는지 몰라요. (General)
그가 오는지 몰라. (General)
걔 오는지 몰라. (General)
The -는지 Universe
Verbs
- 먹는지 whether eating
Adjectives
- 예쁜지 whether pretty
Nouns
- 학생인지 whether student
Examples by Level
누가 오는지 몰라요.
I don't know who is coming.
어디에 가는지 몰라요.
I don't know where he is going.
무엇을 먹는지 몰라요.
I don't know what he is eating.
이게 뭔지 몰라요.
I don't know what this is.
그가 학생인지 아세요?
Do you know if he is a student?
날씨가 좋은지 확인하세요.
Check if the weather is good.
그가 어디에 사는지 알아요.
I know where he lives.
시간이 있는지 물어보세요.
Ask if he has time.
시험이 언제 끝나는지 궁금해요.
I am curious when the exam ends.
그가 왜 화가 났는지 모르겠어요.
I don't know why he is angry.
이 영화가 재미있는지 보세요.
See if this movie is interesting.
어디에서 만나는지 알려 주세요.
Please let me know where we are meeting.
그 계획이 가능한지 검토 중입니다.
We are reviewing whether the plan is feasible.
누가 이 일을 담당하는지 확인이 필요합니다.
We need to verify who is in charge of this task.
그가 진실을 말하는지 의심스러워요.
I doubt whether he is telling the truth.
어떤 결과가 나오는지 지켜봅시다.
Let's watch to see what results come out.
그가 왜 그런 선택을 했는지 이해하기 어렵습니다.
It is hard to understand why he made such a choice.
이 현상이 왜 발생하는지 연구가 필요합니다.
Research is needed on why this phenomenon occurs.
누구의 책임인지 명확히 밝혀야 합니다.
We must clarify whose responsibility it is.
그가 진정으로 원하는 것이 무엇인지 고민해 보세요.
Think about what he truly wants.
그가 과연 그 일을 해낼 수 있는지 의문이 듭니다.
I have doubts about whether he can actually pull that off.
어느 쪽이 옳은지 판단하기는 쉽지 않습니다.
It is not easy to judge which side is right.
그가 어떤 의도로 말했는지 짐작이 갑니다.
I can guess what his intention was when he said that.
상황이 어떻게 돌아가는지 파악하는 것이 급선무입니다.
Grasping how the situation is unfolding is the top priority.
Easily Confused
Both turn verbs into nouns, but -기 is for activities and -는지 is for questions.
Both look similar, but -ㄹ/을지 is for future possibilities.
Both involve -는, but -는 것 makes a noun phrase, while -는지 makes an interrogative clause.
Common Mistakes
가다는지
가는지
예쁘는지
예쁜지
학생다인지
학생인지
먹다는지
먹는지
갔다는지
갔는지
좋다는지
좋은지
어디 가는지 알아요?
어디에 가는지 알아요?
먹을는지
먹을지
궁금해요 무엇인지
무엇인지 궁금해요
누가 오는지 물어봤어요
누가 오는지 물어봤어요
그가 왜 했는지 몰랐다
그가 왜 했는지 몰랐다
어떻게 하는지 알아요
어떻게 하는지 알아요
그가 누구인지 알아요
그가 누구인지 알아요
Sentence Patterns
___이/가 ___는지 아세요?
___이/가 ___는지 궁금해요.
___이/가 ___는지 확인해 보세요.
___이/가 ___는지 모르겠어요.
Real World Usage
어디인지 알려줘!
어떤 업무를 담당하는지 궁금합니다.
기차가 몇 시에 도착하는지 아세요?
배달이 언제 오는지 확인해 주세요.
이게 맛있는지 알려줘~
이 현상이 왜 발생하는지 분석합니다.
Verb vs Adjective
Don't forget the stem
Use with '궁금하다'
Politeness
Smart Tips
Use -는지 with '아세요?' to sound more natural.
Use -는지 with '모르겠어요'.
Use -는지 with '확인해 보세요'.
Use -는지 with '궁금해요'.
Pronunciation
Linking
The 'ㄴ' sound often links to the next syllable.
Rising
그가 오는지 아세요? ↑
Used for questions.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of '는지' as a 'Question Bridge' that connects a mystery to a fact.
Visual Association
Imagine a giant question mark (?) turning into a bridge that connects two islands (the question and the answer).
Rhyme
When you're not sure and want to know, add -는지 to make it flow.
Story
Min-su was lost. He didn't know where the station was (어디에 있는지). He asked a stranger. The stranger knew where it was (어디에 있는지 알아요). Now Min-su is happy.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences about things you are curious about today using -는지.
Cultural Notes
Used in both formal and informal settings to show politeness when asking.
Used to report status updates professionally.
Often shortened in texting.
Derived from the combination of the present tense marker -는 and the particle -지.
Conversation Starters
오늘 날씨가 어떤지 아세요?
이 식당이 맛있는지 궁금해요.
그가 왜 화가 났는지 아세요?
어떤 영화가 재미있는지 추천해 줄 수 있어요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
그가 어디에 (가다) ____ 몰라요.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
그가 학생다인지 몰라요.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
I don't know what he is eating.
Answer starts with: 그가 ...
A: 그가 올까요? B: ____.
Use: 궁금하다, 언제, 시험, 끝나다
Which takes -는지?
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises그가 어디에 (가다) ____ 몰라요.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
그가 학생다인지 몰라요.
아세요 / 어디에 / 있는지 / 도서관이
I don't know what he is eating.
A: 그가 올까요? B: ____.
Use: 궁금하다, 언제, 시험, 끝나다
Which takes -는지?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesDo you know if he is a student?
어제 어디에 ___ 물어봤어요.
Match them!
알아요? / 오는지 / 버스가 / 언제
Which one uses the correct spacing for 'whether'?
냉장고에 우유가 ___ 확인해 보세요.
이 옷이 작은지 몰랐어요. (Assume 'small')
괜찮은지 궁금해요.
How to ask if someone is busy?
누가 케이크를 ___ 알아요? (만들다)
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
Yes, it works with almost all action verbs.
Use -았/었는지, e.g., '갔는지'.
It can be used in both formal and informal speech depending on the ending (-요 or -습니다).
It's just a contraction for adjectives.
Yes, '알다' and '모르다' are the most common partners.
Yes, -ㄹ지 is for future/uncertainty.
Yes, it's very common in both formal and informal writing.
Mixing up verb and adjective endings.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
si / interrogative pronouns
Korean attaches it to the verb, Spanish uses separate words.
si / interrogative pronouns
Korean is agglutinative, French is analytical.
ob / interrogative pronouns
German changes word order, Korean changes verb suffix.
ka
Korean has more complex conjugation rules for adjectives.
是否 / question words
Chinese has no verb conjugation.
ما إذا / interrogative pronouns
Arabic is highly inflected for gender and number.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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