는지 (neun-ji, neunji) · 은지 (eun-ji, eunji)
는지 is used for indirect questions or uncertainty, while 은지 indicates a past time reference.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
A connective ending expressing doubt or indirect questions
When to use
indirect questions, expressing uncertainty, within questions or doubt
The nuance
Attach to verb or adjective stems to form indirect questions or express uncertainty.
An adverbial suffix indicating a past time point emphasizing elapsed time since then
When to use
past time reference, emphasizing elapsed time, expressing duration since event
The nuance
Attach to verb stems to indicate elapsed time since a past event or point.
그 사람이 어디에 사는지 알아요?
geu sa-ram-i eo-di-e sa-neun-ji al-a-yo?, geu sa ram i eo di e sa neun ji al a yo?
는지 correctly used for an indirect question.
그 사람이 어디에 사은지 알아요?
geu sa-ram-i eo-di-e sa-eun-ji al-a-yo?, geu sa ram i eo di e sa eun ji al a yo?
은지 cannot be used in indirect questions.
비가 올지 모르겠어요.
bi-ga ol-ji mo-reu-gess-eo-yo., bi ga ol ji mo reu gess eo yo.
는지 properly expresses uncertainty.
비가 올은지 모르겠어요.
bi-ga ol-eun-ji mo-reu-gess-eo-yo., bi ga ol eun ji mo reu gess eo yo.
은지 is not used to express uncertainty.
한국에 온 지 3년 되었어요.
han-guk-e on ji 3nyeon doe-eoss-eo-yo., han guk e on ji 3nyeon doe eoss eo yo.
은지 correctly used to indicate elapsed time since arrival.
한국에 는 지 3년 되었어요.
han-guk-e neun ji 3nyeon doe-eoss-eo-yo., han guk e neun ji 3nyeon doe eoss eo yo.
는지 is not used to express elapsed time.
그가 언제 도착했는지 기억이 안 나요.
geu-ga eon-je do-chak-haess-neun-ji gi-eok-i an na-yo., geu ga eon je do chak haess neun ji gi eok i an na yo.
는지 correctly used in indirect question.
그가 언제 도착했은지 기억이 안 나요.
geu-ga eon-je do-chak-haess-eun-ji gi-eok-i an na-yo., geu ga eon je do chak haess eun ji gi eok i an na yo.
은지 cannot be used in indirect questions.
Which is appropriate for indirect questions?
Which expression is used in '한국에 온 지 5년 됐어요.'?
What is the role of ‘-지’ in ‘비가 올지 모르겠어요.’?
