(이)나 vs -거나

Beginner · TOPIK I

Both mean 'or', but (이)나 attaches to nouns while -거나 attaches to verb and adjective stems. (이)나 also means 'just… (for lack of better)' and 'as many as'.

(이)나A postpositional particle used to indicate something is being chosen though it is not satisfactory.-거나A connective ending used when one of either the preceding statement or the following statement can be chosen.

Rules of thumb

Choosing between nouns: N(이)나 N (커피나 차 'coffee or tea').
Choosing between actions or states: V-거나 V (영화를 보거나 책을 읽어요 'I watch a film or read').
(이)나 can mean 'just… (I guess)' when settling for something (심심한데 영화나 볼까요? 'I'm bored — shall we just watch a movie?').
After a quantity, (이)나 means 'as many as' (다섯 그릇이나 먹었어요 'ate as many as five bowls').
Use 나 after a vowel, 이나 after a consonant.

Example sentences

(이)나
Would you like coffee or tea?
-거나
On weekends I watch movies or read books.
주말에는 영화나 책을 읽어요.
Incorrect
On weekends I read movies or books. [Wrong: two different actions (watching / reading) must be linked with -geona]
(이)나
I'm bored — shall we just listen to some music?
-거나
If you're sick or tired, take a rest.

← All confused pairs