-나

See also: 나

Korean

Pronunciation

• (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key): [na̠]
• Phonetic hangul: [나]

Romanizations
Revised Romanization?	na
Revised Romanization (translit.)?	na
McCune–Reischauer?	na
Yale Romanization?	na

Etymology 1

First attested in the nineteenth century, as a contraction of -는가 (-neun'ga).

Suffix

-나 • (-na)

1. An interrogative marker in the familiar speech level; with -요 (-yo), also used in the polite speech level.

   자네는 전공을 무엇으로 정했나? ― jane-neun jeon'gong-eul mueos-euro jeonghaen-na? ― What did you choose to major in?

   서울역에 어떻게 가나요? ― seouryeog-e eotteoke ga-na-yo? ― How can I get to Seoul Station?

2. Conveys a question addressed to oneself.

   내가 미쳤나, 어떻게 이런 실수를... ― Nae-ga micheon-na, eotteoke ireon silsu-reul... ― Was I insane? How could I make such a mistake...

   잘 지내나 싶어서 전화했지. ― Jal jinae-na sipeoseo jeonhwa-haetji. ― I called you to see how you're doing.

3. (Gyeongsang) In the plain speech level, an interrogative marker denoting polar (yes-or-no) questions.

   Coordinate term: (for wh-questions) -노 (-no)

4. Used in -나 보다 (-na boda).

Usage notes

• (monologic question): Often followed by 싶다 (sipda, “to feel like”) and 하다 (hada, “to say”).

See also

• -고 (-go) (Gyeongsang)
• -가 (-ga) (Gyeongsang)

Etymology 2

From Middle Korean -나〮 (Yale: -ná). See the main entry for more.

Particle

-나 • (-na)

1. Post-vowel allomorphic form of -이나 (-ina).

   차나 커피 드시겠어요?

   Cha-na keopi deusigesseoyo?

   Would you like tea or coffee?

Etymology 3

From Middle Korean -나〮 (Yale: -ná). See the main entry for more.

Suffix

-나 • (-na)

1. Post-vowel and post-liquid allomorphic form of -으나 (-euna).

   표현은 다르나 내용은 같다.

   Pyohyeon-eun dareu-na naeyong-eun gatda.

   The expressions are different, but the content is the same.