Or (-거나)
-거나
Connects two alternatives, meaning 'or' between verb/adjective clauses.
Pattern
Verb/Adjective stem + -거나 + Alternative clause
Explanation
-거나 is used to present alternatives or choices between two or more actions or states. It attaches directly to the verb or adjective stem. It is the clausal equivalent of the particle (이)나 used between nouns.
For example, 주말에 영화를 보거나 책을 읽어요 means 'On weekends, I watch movies or read books.' The pattern can be repeated to list multiple alternatives: 먹거나 자거나 운동해요 (I eat, sleep, or exercise).
-거나 can also be used in the pattern -거나 -거나 하다 to express 'whether... or...': 비가 오거나 말거나 갈 거예요 (Whether it rains or not, I will go). This is a more advanced usage that appears frequently in intermediate Korean texts.
Examples
주말에 영화를 보거나 책을 읽어요.
Jumare yeonghwareul bogeona chaekeul ilgeoyo.
On weekends, I watch movies or read books.
커피를 마시거나 차를 마셔요.
Keopireul masigeona chareul masyeoyo.
I drink coffee or tea.
춥거나 비가 오면 집에 있어요.
Chupgeona biga omyeon jibe isseoyo.
If it's cold or it rains, I stay home.
비가 오거나 말거나 운동할 거예요.
Biga ogeona malgeona undonghaal geoyeyo.
Whether it rains or not, I will exercise.
Common Mistakes
Wrong
커피나 마시거나 차를 마셔요.
Correct
커피를 마시거나 차를 마셔요.
Don't mix (이)나 (noun particle) with -거나 (verb ending). Use -거나 to connect verb clauses.
Wrong
영화를 보거나 아니면 책을 읽어요.
Correct
영화를 보거나 책을 읽어요.
아니면 (or/otherwise) is redundant when using -거나. One or the other is sufficient.
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