Overview
The connective ending -거나 is used to list two or more actions, states, or facts as alternatives or choices. It functions similarly to "or" in English, presenting options without implying a strong preference for any particular one. It's a versatile ending that can connect verbs and adjectives.
Usage
-거나 is attached to the stem of a verb or adjective to indicate that the preceding clause is one of several possible actions or states. It suggests that any of the listed options are acceptable, possible, or could occur.
- Listing actions/states: When you want to say "do A or do B," or "be A or be B."
- Example: 주말에 집에서 쉬거나 친구를 만나요. (On the weekend, I rest at home or meet friends.)
- Expressing indifference: It can convey a nuance of "it doesn't matter which one."
- Example: 비가 오거나 말거나 우리는 소풍을 갈 거예요. (Whether it rains or not, we are going on a picnic.)
- Connecting multiple options: You can list more than two options by repeating -거나.
- Example: 밥을 먹거나 빵을 먹거나 과일을 먹거나 아무거나 좋아요. (Eating rice, eating bread, or eating fruit, anything is fine.)
- With nouns: While primarily for verbs/adjectives, it can be used with nouns by attaching -이거나 (from 이다).
- Example: 학생이거나 선생님이거나 모두 환영합니다. (Whether you are a student or a teacher, everyone is welcome.)
Conjugation Rules
The conjugation for -거나 is very straightforward:
Simply attach -거나 directly to the verb or adjective stem. There are no changes based on whether the stem ends in a consonant (batchim) or a vowel.
- Verbs:
- 먹다 (to eat) -> 먹거나
- 하다 (to do) -> 하거나
- 읽다 (to read) -> 읽거나
- Adjectives:
- 예쁘다 (to be pretty) -> 예쁘거나
- 좋다 (to be good) -> 좋거나
- 작다 (to be small) -> 작거나
Knowledge Plus
- Comparison with -(으)나: While both can mean "or," -(으)나 is often used in more formal or literary contexts, or to connect contrasting ideas (like "but"). -거나 is more common for simply listing choices or possibilities in everyday conversation.
- Comparison with -든지: -든지 also expresses choice ("whether A or B"), often with a stronger nuance of "no matter which." -거나 is generally a more neutral listing of alternatives. For instance, "아무거나" (anything) uses
거나 to mean "any one of them."
- Repetition: -거나 can be repeated for emphasis or to list multiple items clearly: "V1거나 V2거나 V3거나..."
- Fixed expressions: It appears in some fixed expressions like "아무거나" (anything), "누구거나" (anyone), "언제거나" (anytime), though in these cases,
거나 is often seen as part of the fixed word rather than a productive grammatical ending.