2 · Linking clauses, first steps
Or, between clauses: -거나
the connective of alternatives
-거나 offers two actions or states as alternatives: "or".
The ending -거나 goes straight onto the stem, with no vowel to choose and no irregular change: 보거나, 읽거나, 듣거나, 바쁘거나. With a noun: 학생이거나.
It joins two verbs or adjectives as alternatives: 주말에는 책을 읽거나 영화를 봐요, “at the weekend I read or watch films”. Very often it describes typical options rather than a strict either-or — the things you tend to do. The tense goes on the last verb: 읽거나 봤어요.
With 하다 at the end, both alternatives take -거나: 친구를 만나거나 쇼핑을 하거나 해요, “I meet friends or go shopping, that sort of thing”. A request can follow as well: 전화하거나 문자를 보내 주세요.
English speakers reach for 또는 because it translates “or”: 영화를 봐요 또는 책을 읽어요. But 또는 joins nouns, mostly in writing, and it does not link two full verbs in speech. Between nouns the usual “or” is (이)나 — 커피나 차 — and between two questions it is 아니면.
The form
| after a vowel | 보다 → 보거나 |
| after a consonant | 읽다 → 읽거나 |
| with a noun and 이다 | 학생이거나 |
| A or B, then the main verb | 읽거나 봐요 |
| A or B, that sort of thing | 읽거나 보거나 해요 |
The rules one by one
The form this topic is about
-거나 goes straight onto the stem.
저녁에는 음악을 듣거나 책을 읽어요.In the evening I listen to music or read.
The tense goes on the last verb.
지난 주말에는 집에서 쉬거나 산책을 했어요.Last weekend I rested at home or went for walks.
With 하다 at the end, both alternatives take -거나.
심심할 때는 게임을 하거나 동영상을 보거나 해요.When I am bored, I play games or watch videos.
A request may follow.
질문이 있으면 전화하거나 이메일을 보내 주세요.If you have a question, please ring or send an email.
A closer look
Three kinds of "or"
Korean splits English “or” three ways. Between nouns: (이)나 — 커피나 차, 빵이나 밥. Between verbs: -거나. Between two sentences or two questions: 아니면 — 커피 마실래요? 아니면 차 마실래요? 또는 and 혹은 belong to written texts, forms and notices.
Repeated with opposites, -거나 also means “whether … or not”: 비가 오거나 말거나 나갈 거예요, “I am going out whether it rains or not”. This is spoken and a little dismissive; the neutral pattern for it is -든지.
How to spot it
- -거나
- -거나 하다
- 아니면
- 또는
Example sentences
피곤하면 잠깐 자거나 커피를 마셔요.When I am tired, I take a short nap or drink coffee.
주말에는 보통 친구를 만나거나 집에서 쉬어요.At the weekend I usually meet friends or rest at home.
스트레스를 받으면 노래를 부르거나 운동을 해요.When I am stressed, I sing or exercise.
방학에는 여행을 가거나 아르바이트를 할 거예요.In the holidays I will go travelling or do a part-time job.
버스를 타거나 지하철을 타세요.Take the bus or the underground.
날씨가 너무 덥거나 추우면 밖에 안 나가요.When it is too hot or too cold, I do not go out.
8 more example sentences
시간이 있을 때는 그림을 그리거나 사진을 찍어요.When I have time, I draw or take photos.
모르는 단어는 사전을 찾거나 선생님께 여쭤봐요.When I do not know a word, I look it up or ask the teacher.
비가 오거나 눈이 오면 경기가 취소돼요.If it rains or snows, the match is cancelled.
점심은 회사 식당에서 먹거나 도시락을 싸 와요.For lunch I eat in the staff canteen or bring a packed lunch.
아프거나 열이 나면 집에서 쉬세요.If you feel ill or have a temperature, rest at home.
저는 주로 걸어가거나 자전거를 타요.I mostly walk or cycle.
휴일에는 늦잠을 자거나 영화를 보거나 해요.On days off I sleep in or watch films.
사진을 보내거나 직접 가져오세요.Send a photo or bring it in person.
Worth knowing (1)
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Asking which: 아니면
When you ask someone to choose, Korean asks two questions and joins them with 아니면, not with -거나: 지금 갈래요, 아니면 이따가 갈래요? -거나 lists options; it does not ask for a decision.
커피 드릴까요, 아니면 차 드릴까요?Would you like coffee, or would you like tea?
The trap English speakers fall into
Watch out
또는 joins nouns, and mostly in writing (현금 또는 카드). Two actions are joined by putting -거나 on the first verb, which then drops its -요.
Geona is "or" for verbs; for nouns, use (i)na.
Your turn
10 exercises on this topic. Your answers are checked in the browser; none of them leaves your device.