는지 (neun-ji, neunji) · 은지 (eun-ji, eunji) · 인지 (in-ji, inji)
는지, 은지, and 인지 all express questions or speculation, but each has distinct grammatical roles and usage contexts.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
A connective ending expressing doubt or uncertainty
When to use
Indirect questions, Expressing uncertainty, Expressing speculation
The nuance
Attach to verb or adjective stems to form indirect questions or express speculation, often in the pattern '~는지 모르다'.
Particle indicating past time or reference point
When to use
Expressing elapsed time, Setting reference points, Mentioning past time
The nuance
Attach to nouns to indicate elapsed time or reference point, often in expressions like '~은지 ~됐다' to show passage of time.
Particle or connective ending expressing doubt or speculation
When to use
Question after nouns, Forming indirect questions, Expressing speculation
The nuance
Attach to nouns as a particle to form questions/speculation, or to verb/adjective stems to form indirect questions; commonly used in '~인지 모르겠다' for speculation.
그가 언제 오는지 알아요?
geu-ga eon-je o-neun-ji al-a-yo?, geu ga eon je o neun ji al a yo?
'-는지' attaches to verb '오다' to form an indirect question.
그가 언제 은지 알아요?
geu-ga eon-je eun-ji al-a-yo?, geu ga eon je eun ji al a yo?
'은지' indicates elapsed time and cannot be used for indirect questions.
친구가 학생인지 궁금해요.
chin-gu-ga hak-saeng-in-ji gung-geum-hae-yo., chin gu ga hak saeng in ji gung geum hae yo.
'인지' attaches to noun '학생' to express a question.
친구가 학생는지 궁금해요.
chin-gu-ga hak-saeng-neun-ji gung-geum-hae-yo., chin gu ga hak saeng neun ji gung geum hae yo.
'는지' cannot attach to nouns; it attaches only to verbs/adjectives.
이 일을 한 지 3년 됐어요.
i il-eul han ji 3nyeon dwaess-eo-yo., i il eul han ji 3nyeon dwaess eo yo.
'한 지' expresses elapsed time from a past point, related to '은지' usage.
이 일을 은지 3년 됐어요.
i il-eul eun-ji 3nyeon dwaess-eo-yo., i il eul eun ji 3nyeon dwaess eo yo.
'은지' must attach to nouns and is used with past verb forms; standalone use is incorrect.
그가 올지 모르겠어요.
geu-ga ol-ji mo-reu-gess-eo-yo., geu ga ol ji mo reu gess eo yo.
'올지' is a form of '인지' attached to verb '오다' expressing speculation.
그가 올은지 모르겠어요.
geu-ga ol-eun-ji mo-reu-gess-eo-yo., geu ga ol eun ji mo reu gess eo yo.
'은지' does not attach to verbs and cannot express speculation.
Which of the following forms an indirect question?
Which expresses elapsed time?
Which attaches to nouns to express questions?
