든지 (deun-ji, deunji) · 거나 (geo-na, geona)
'든지' and '거나' both indicate choices but differ in grammatical position and nuance.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
A connective ending used to freely choose one among multiple options
When to use
formal choice listing, written style choice expression, verb/adjective connection examples
The nuance
Attached to the stem of verbs or adjectives to list two or more choices; used more often in written or formal language than in spoken Korean.
A connective ending used to choose one among multiple options, commonly used in everyday conversation
When to use
casual choice listing, spoken style choice expression, verb/adjective connection examples
The nuance
Attached to the stem of verbs or adjectives to list two or more choices; very common in spoken Korean and more casual than '든지'.
책을 읽든지 영화를 보든지 하세요.
chaek-eul ik-deun-ji yeong-hwa-reul bo-deun-ji ha-se-yo., chaek eul ik deun ji yeong hwa reul bo deun ji ha se yo.
'든지' is appropriately used in a formal sentence, naturally listing two choices.
책을 읽거나 영화를 보거나 하세요.
chaek-eul ik-geo-na yeong-hwa-reul bo-geo-na ha-se-yo., chaek eul ik geo na yeong hwa reul bo geo na ha se yo.
'거나' fits well in casual choice listing and sounds natural.
밥을 먹든지 아니면 물을 마시든지.
bap-eul meok-deun-ji a-ni-myeon mul-eul ma-si-deun-ji., bap eul meok deun ji a ni myeon mul eul ma si deun ji.
In formal style, '든지' can be repeated to list two choices.
밥을 먹거나 아니면 물을 마시거나.
bap-eul meok-geo-na a-ni-myeon mul-eul ma-si-geo-na., bap eul meok geo na a ni myeon mul eul ma si geo na.
In spoken style, repeating '거나' to list choices is natural.
오늘은 비가 오든지 눈이 올 거야.
o-neul-eun bi-ga o-deun-ji nun-i ol geo-ya., o neul eun bi ga o deun ji nun i ol geo ya.
'든지' is for listing choices, but this sentence predicts weather, so it's incorrect.
오늘은 비가 오거나 눈이 올 거야.
o-neul-eun bi-ga o-geo-na nun-i ol geo-ya., o neul eun bi ga o geo na nun i ol geo ya.
'거나' can be naturally used in choice listing and future prediction sentences.
커피를 마시든지 차를 마시거나 할래?
keo-pi-reul ma-si-deun-ji cha-reul ma-si-geo-na hal-rae?, keo pi reul ma si deun ji cha reul ma si geo na hal rae?
Mixing '든지' and '거나' in one sentence is awkward and confusing.
커피를 마시든지 차를 마시든지 할래?
keo-pi-reul ma-si-deun-ji cha-reul ma-si-deun-ji hal-rae?, keo pi reul ma si deun ji cha reul ma si deun ji hal rae?
In formal style, repeating '든지' is natural.
Which is the most natural choice expression in everyday conversation?
Which choice expression suits formal sentences?
Why is the sentence '오늘은 비가 오든지 눈이 올 거야' incorrect?
