Beginner Estimated read: 3 mins

-(으)ㄴ가요? / -나요?

Used to ask a question politely and softly. It sounds much gentler and friendlier than standard '-아/어요?' or '-습니까?'.

Summary

Equivalent

Is it...? / Do you...? (Softly)

Also: -아/어요? (Standard polite question - but less soft/gentle than -가요/나요)

Example

Do you have time today? (Polite & soft)

오늘 시간 있으신가요?

Grammar rules

  • Use '-(으)ㄴ가요?' for adjectives in the present tense (e.g., 예쁜가요?, 작은가요?).
  • Use '-나요?' for verbs in the present tense (e.g., 먹나요?, 가나요?).
  • For past tense of both verbs and adjectives, use '-았/었/했나요?' (e.g., 먹었나요?, 예뻤나요?).
  • For adjectives ending in '있다/없다' (like 재미있다), use '-나요?' instead of '-(으)ㄴ가요?'.

    재미있는가요 (X) -> 재미있나요? (O - Is it fun?)

Patterns

1

Adjectives (Present)

Present Soft Question · Stem + (으)ㄴ가요?

2

Verbs (Present)

Present Soft Question · Verb Stem + 나요?

3

All Verbs/Adjectives (Past)

Past Soft Question · Stem + 았/었/했나요?

4

Nouns (Present)

Present Soft Question · Noun + 인가요?

Example sentences

Adjectives (Present) · Present Soft Question · Stem + (으)ㄴ가요?

Do you have time today? (Polite & soft)

오늘 시간 있으신가요?

Verbs (Present) · Present Soft Question · Verb Stem + 나요?

Did you watch that movie yesterday?

어제 그 영화를 보셨나요?

All Verbs/Adjectives (Past) · Past Soft Question · Stem + 았/었/했나요?

Are these clothes a little small for me?

이 옷이 저한테 조금 작은가요?

Conversation

A: By any chance, do you know Kim Sumi's phone number?

혹시 김수미 씨 전화번호를 아시나요?

B: Yes, I know it.

네, 알아요.

Practice

Fill in the blank

Select the correct soft question ending.

Verb (Present).

Adjective (Present).