Beginner Estimated read: 3 mins

-거나

Attached to a verb or adjective stem to indicate a choice between two actions or states. It corresponds to 'or' in English.

Summary

Equivalent

Or (Between Verbs/Adjectives)

Also: 아니면 (Or - conjunction for answering)

Example

In the morning, I usually eat bread or drink milk.

아침에 주로 빵을 먹거나 우유를 마십니다.

Grammar rules

  • Attach '-거나' directly to the stem regardless of whether it ends in a vowel or consonant.
  • It is the verb/adjective equivalent of the noun particle '(이)나'.
  • It can be used to list two options where one of them will occur.

    일요일에는 집에서 쉬거나 친구를 만나요. (On Sundays, I rest at home or meet friends.)

Patterns

1

All Verbs/Adjectives

Present/Past · Verb/Adjective Stem + 거나

Example sentences

All Verbs/Adjectives · Present/Past · Verb/Adjective Stem + 거나

In the morning, I usually eat bread or drink milk.

아침에 주로 빵을 먹거나 우유를 마십니다.

All Verbs/Adjectives · Present/Past · Verb/Adjective Stem + 거나

When I am busy or sick, I don't exercise.

바쁘거나 아플 때는 운동을 안 해요.

All Verbs/Adjectives · Present/Past · Verb/Adjective Stem + 거나

I will watch a movie or go shopping this weekend.

주말에 영화를 보거나 쇼핑을 할 거예요.

Conversation

A: How do you relieve stress when you are stressed?

스트레스를 받을 때 어떻게 풀어요?

B: I go to a karaoke or eat something delicious.

저는 노래방에 가거나 맛있는 것을 먹어요.

Practice

Fill in the blank

Complete the sentence with the choice ending '-거나'.

Hobbies.

Adjective choice.