Pattern: -(았/었)는지
-(았/었)는지 (-(ass, (ass, eoss)neun-ji, eoss)neunji)
-(았/었)는지 expresses indirect questions or uncertainty about past situations or facts.
When and how native speakers actually use it.
Indicates doubt or curiosity about something that happened or was true in the past.
When to use
Indirect questions, Guessing past facts, Unclear memory
The nuance
Attach -(았/었)는지 to the past stem of verbs or adjectives. It's mainly used for indirect questions, guesses, or when memory is unclear. Example: 'I don't know where he went.'
그가 왜 그렇게 했는지 모르겠어요.
geu-ga wae geu-reoh-ge haess-neun-ji mo-reu-gess-eo-yo., geu ga wae geu reoh ge haess neun ji mo reu gess eo yo.
Correct because it expresses an indirect question about a past action.
그 사람이 어디에 갔는지 알려 주세요.
geu sa-ram-i eo-di-e gass-neun-ji al-ryeo ju-se-yo., geu sa ram i eo di e gass neun ji al ryeo ju se yo.
Correct as it is an indirect question about a past place.
내가 그 말을 했는지 몰라요.
nae-ga geu mal-eul haess-neun-ji mol-ra-yo., nae ga geu mal eul haess neun ji mol ra yo.
Correct because it expresses uncertainty about one's past action.
그가 왜 그렇게 했는지 모르겠어요.
geu-ga wae geu-reoh-ge haess-neun-ji mo-reu-gess-eo-yo., geu ga wae geu reoh ge haess neun ji mo reu gess eo yo.
-(았/었)는지 attaches to past action to form indirect question.
내일 비가 올는지 궁금해요.
nae-il bi-ga ol-neun-ji gung-geum-hae-yo., nae il bi ga ol neun ji gung geum hae yo.
-(았/었)는지 cannot be used for future tense.
그가 지금 어디에 있는지 몰라요.
geu-ga ji-geum eo-di-e iss-neun-ji mol-ra-yo., geu ga ji geum eo di e iss neun ji mol ra yo.
For present tense, use -(는지, not -(았/었)는지.
Which expression do you use to indirectly ask about past facts?
Which sentence is incorrect?
What is the role of -(았/었)는지 in the sentence "I don't know why he did that"?
