-거나
-거나 Korean Grammar: ‘Or’ Between Actions
Connective: choose among listed actions or states — A or B.
How to form it
| When | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb / adjective / 이다 stem | stem + -거나 | 가다 → 가거나 / 먹다 → 먹거나 |
| Paired alternatives | -거나 -거나 | 가거나 말거나 / 먹거나 마시거나 |
| Common wrap | -거나 -거나 하다 | 자거나 쉬거나 해요 |
-거나 is or for actions and states — pick one of the verbs on the table.
It attaches directly to a verb or adjective stem. Paired -거나 -거나 is common, often followed by 하다.
주말에 집에 있거나 친구를 만나요.
On weekends I stay home or meet friends.
걸어 가거나 버스를 타요.
I walk or take the bus.
배가 고프거나 목이 마르면 말해요.
If you’re hungry or thirsty, say so.Forms
| Shape | Example |
|---|---|
| stem + -거나 | 가거나, 먹거나, 싸거나 |
| -거나 -거나 | 자거나 쉬거나 |
| -거나 -거나 하다 | 자거나 쉬거나 해요 |
Past and other pre-final endings can sit before -거나 when you need them (먹었거나…); beginner lines usually keep both stems plain.
Not -고
| Ending | Job |
|---|---|
| -고 | and / sequence |
| -거나 | or among actions |
집에 가고 쉬어요 lists both. 집에 가거나 쉬어요 offers alternatives.
Nouns use a different word
| Slot | Attaches to | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -거나 | verb / adjective | 걷거나 뛰어요 |
| 이나 / 나 이나/나 | noun | 커피나 차 |
Compare 아파트에 살거나 (the verb live) with 아파트나 주택 (the nouns apartment and house).
Practice rule
If English or sits between two verbs, reach for -거나. If it sits between two nouns, open 이나 / 나.
Do not confuse it with
Taught alongside this
On the jabi learning path, this appears in 저도 학교 근처로 이사할까 봐요 (I think I’ll move closer to the school too.) — Beginner Korean 2, Unit 19, on the theme of house. These come with it:
Words used above
Quick check
No sign-up, no score saved — just see if it stuck.
1. Which correctly offers two actions?
2. How does -거나 differ from -고?
3. What does 자거나 쉬거나 해요 suggest?
Common questions
Can -거나 go on nouns?
No — that is ina 이나/나. *커피거나 차 is the classic error. Verbs and adjectives take -거나.
Do I always need two -거나?
Paired -거나 -거나 is common in the dictionary sense of selectable alternatives. Single -거나 also appears before a second option phrased another way. Begin with clear pairs: 가거나 와요.
Is every -거나 'or'?
Dictionaries also list a 'whichever / it doesn’t matter which' sense (…거나 …간에). This beginner page stays on the choice reading — A or B.
Where does 하다 come in?
With -거나 -거나, 하다 often wraps the set: 먹거나 마시거나 해요. Treat it as one spoken chunk.