Core Grammar Rule: -(느)ㄴ다거나/-(으)ㄹ다거나/-다거나
This pattern is used to list two or more actions, states, or facts as examples from a range of possibilities. It's similar to saying "things like... or..." or "either... or..." in English, often to provide reasons, examples, or symptoms.
Meaning & Usage
Meaning: It connects clauses to list various possibilities, actions, or situations. It implies that the listed items are just some examples among others.
When to use: Use it when you want to explain a situation by giving multiple examples. It's very common when describing symptoms to a doctor, listing reasons for being late, or explaining why you like or dislike something.
Conjugation Rules
Action Verbs:
Verb stem ends in a vowel or ㄹ: -ㄴ다거나 (e.g., 가다 → 간다거나, 만들다 → 만든다거나)
Verb stem ends in a consonant (except ㄹ): -는다거나 (e.g., 먹다 → 먹는다거나)
Descriptive Verbs (Adjectives):
Attach -다거나 directly to the verb stem. (e.g., 아프다 → 아프다거나, 많다 → 많다거나)
Nouns:
Attach -(이)라거나 to the noun. (e.g., 학생 → 학생이라거나, 의사 → 의사라거나)
Past Tense:
Attach -았/었다거나 to the verb stem. (e.g., 갔다 → 갔다거나, 먹었다 → 먹었다거나)
Action (Vowel/ㄹ): -ㄴ다거나 / Action (Consonant): -는다거나 / Descriptive: -다거나 / Noun: -(이)라거나
Native Nuance & Mistakes
To sound more natural, it's important to understand when to use -다거나 versus other listing particles like -거나 or -(이)나.
-다거나 vs. -거나
Context: -다거나 is used to list facts, situations, or reported speech as examples. It feels like you're presenting pieces of information. -거나 is used to list actions or choices for the listener or speaker. It's more about presenting options.
Example:
(O) 주말에는 영화를 본다거나 책을 읽어요. (On weekends, I do things like watch movies or read books. - Listing factual habits)
(O) 주말에 영화를 보거나 책을 읽하자. (Let's either watch a movie or read a book this weekend. - Presenting choices)
Don't Overuse for Simple Noun Choices
Context: When you are simply listing two noun options, using (이)나 is much more natural and common than -(이)라거나. Using -(이)라거나 for simple choices can sound overly descriptive or even a bit dramatic.
Example:
Do: 커피나 주스 주세요. (Coffee or juice, please.)
Don't: 커피라거나 주스라거나 주세요. (This sounds unnatural, as if you're describing "a thing called coffee or a thing called juice".)
Do: 영화를 본다거나 책을 읽어요. (O) / Don't: 영화를 보거나 책을 읽어요. (Also O, but different nuance)
Common Endings with -다거나
The pattern -(느)ㄴ다거나 is often combined with other grammatical endings to add specific nuances like worry, speculation, or simple factual statements.
Expressing Worry: ...다거나 -(으)ㄹ까 봐
Use this combination to list potential negative outcomes or things you are worried about.
It translates to "I'm worried that [A] might happen, or [B] might happen..."
Example: 사이즈가 안 맞다거나 색상이 화면과 다르다거나 할까 봐. (I'm worried that the size won't fit, or the color will be different from the screen.)
Expressing Speculation: ...다거나 -(으)ㄹ 것 같다
Use this to list possibilities you are guessing or assuming to be true.
It's like saying "I think that either [A]..., or [B]..."
Example: 예쁜 건 이미 품절이 됐다거나 엄청 비쌀 것 같아. (I feel like the pretty ones are probably already sold out, or they'll be super expensive.)
Stating Facts: ...다거나 하다
This is the most straightforward combination, used to simply list facts, symptoms, or situations.
The final 하다 (or 해요) acts as the main verb for the sentence.
Example: 머리가 계속 아프다거나 소화가 잘 안된다거나 해요. (I keep having a headache, or I have trouble with digestion.)
...할까 봐 / ...-(으)ㄹ 것 같다 / ...해요
Responding to Worries and Symptoms
When someone uses -(느)ㄴ다거나 to list problems or concerns, you can respond by offering reassurance, suggesting solutions, or asking for more details.
Offer Reassurance
A common and supportive response is to tell the person not to worry too much. This shows you are listening and care about their feelings.
Examples:
너무 걱정 마세요. (Don't worry too much.)
너무 앞서서 걱정하는 거 아니야? (Aren't you worrying too far ahead?)
Suggest a Solution or Next Step
If appropriate, you can offer practical advice or suggest what to do next. This moves the conversation towards a resolution.
Examples:
리뷰 많은 다른 걸로 찾아보면 되지. (We can just look for something else with a lot of reviews.)
일단 한번 찾아보자. (Let's at least try looking.)
Ask Follow-up Questions
In situations like discussing health symptoms, it's helpful to ask for more specific information to better understand the situation.
Examples:
구체적으로 어떤 증상이 있으세요? (Specifically, what kind of symptoms do you have?)
식욕은 어떠세요? (How is your appetite?)
너무 걱정 마세요. / 일단 한번 찾아보자.
Politeness & Formality
This grammar pattern can be used in both polite and casual speech, but the sentence ending determines the overall tone.
Polite Speech (해요체)
Context: When speaking to someone older, a superior, or in formal/public settings like a doctor's office or a business meeting. You combine the ~다거나 clauses with a polite sentence ending like -아요/어요 or -ㅂ니다/습니다.
Example: 머리가 아프다거나 속이 안 좋다거나 해요. (I have a headache, or I feel nauseous.)
Casual Speech (반말)
Context: When speaking with close friends, family, or people younger than you. The ~다거나 clauses are followed by a casual ending like -아/어 or can be part of a larger casual sentence. Often, it's combined with expressions of worry or speculation like ~할까 봐.
Example: 주말에 비가 온다거나 차가 많이 막힐까 봐. (I'm worried that it might rain or the traffic will be bad.)
Polite: 증상이 있다거나 열이 나요. / Casual: 증상이 있다거나 열이 나.