Core Pattern Rule: Asking Questions with -나 / -(으)ㄴ가?
This pattern is used to ask a question in a soft, wondering tone. It can be a question you ask yourself (a rhetorical or self-directed question) or a gentle, less direct question to someone else.
Meaning & Usage
Meaning: Expresses curiosity, doubt, or wonder about a fact or situation. It's like thinking out loud, e.g., "I wonder if..." or "Is it...?"
When to use: Use it when you're not sure about something and are pondering it. It's softer and more indirect than a standard -아/어요? question.
Formation Rules
The ending changes based on the word type.
Verbs & 있다/없다: Attach -나? directly to the verb stem.
오다 → 오나? (Is it coming?)
늦었다 → 늦었나? (Am I late?)
있다 → 있나? (Is it there?)
Adjectives: Attach -(으)ㄴ가? to the adjective stem.
Vowel stem + -ㄴ가?: 비싸다 → 비싼가? (Is it expensive?)
Consonant stem + -은가?: 괜찮다 → 괜찮은가? (Is it okay?)
Nouns: Attach -(이)ㄴ가? to the noun.
Vowel ending + -ㄴ가?: 거짓말 + 이다 → 거짓말인가? (Is it a lie?)
Consonant ending + -인가?: 꿈 + 이다 → 꿈인가? (Is it a dream?)
With 아니다, it becomes 아닌가?: 고장이 아니다 → 고장이 아닌가? (Is it not broken?)
내가 늦었나? / 맛이 괜찮은가? / 비가 오나? / 여기가 아닌가?
-나 vs. -(으)ㄴ가: Choosing the Right Ending
The most important rule for using this pattern correctly is knowing when to use -나 and when to use -(으)ㄴ가. Learners often mix these up.
Use -나 for Verbs
-나 attaches to action verbs and the existence verbs 있다 and 없다. It questions an action or a state of being.
Action: 비가 오나? (Is it raining?)
Existence: 집에 있나? (Is he/she at home?)
Past Action: 그 사람이 벌써 갔나? (Did that person already leave?)
Use -(으)ㄴ가 for Adjectives & Nouns
-(으)ㄴ가 attaches to descriptive verbs (adjectives) and nouns (with 이다). It questions a quality, characteristic, or identity.