Whether or not: -ㄴ/은/는지

This pattern acts like a connector for your thoughts. It takes a question like "Is it raining?" and tucks it inside. For example, "I don't know if it's raining." In Korean, we call this an "embedded question." You aren't asking the person directly for an answer. You are talking about the question itself. It usually pairs with verbs like 알다 (to know). It also pairs with 모르다 (to not know). You can use it with 궁금하다 (to be curious) too. It is like a grammar traffic light. It tells the listener that there is some uncertainty ahead. Think of it as a way to be less direct. It’s perfect for those moments when you’re feeling a bit shy. Or when you just want to be extra polite.

1. 1For action verbs in the present tense, add -는지. 가다 becomes 가는지. 먹다 becomes 먹는지.
2. 2For adjectives in the present tense, use -ㄴ지 or -은지. If the stem ends in a vowel, use -ㄴ지. 크다 becomes 큰지. If it ends in a consonant, use -은지. 작다 becomes 작은지.
3. 3For nouns, always use -인지. 학생 becomes 학생인지. 선생님 becomes 선생님인지.
4. 4For past tense, use -었/았는지 for everything. 갔는지 or 먹었는지 or 예뻤는지.
5. 5For 있다 and 없다, always use -는지. This is a very important rule to remember! 있는지 and 없는지 are the only correct forms.
6. 6For future tense, you usually switch to -을지. We will cover that another time!
7. 7Watch out for ㄹ irregulars. The ㄹ usually disappears before -는지. 만들다 becomes 만드는지.

Use it when you are unsure about a specific fact. Use it when you want to ask for information politely. "Do you know where the bathroom is?" is a great example. In Korean, that is 화장실이 어디에 있는지 아세요?. Use it when reporting what someone else wondered about. It is perfect for job interviews when discussing your skills. "I want to show how much I have improved" uses this. Use it when ordering food at a new restaurant. "I am curious if this is spicy" is a classic. Use it when checking if a friend arrived home safely. It shows you care without being too pushy. It’s like a soft knock on a door instead of a loud bang.

Don't use it for simple, direct questions. If you just want to ask "Are you hungry?", just say 배고파요?. Using -는지 there would sound like you are talking to yourself. Don't use it for facts you are 100% certain about. If you know for sure it is Monday, don't use it. It is strictly for the "maybe" and "I wonder" zones. Don't use it when the main verb doesn't support a question. You can't say "I ate whether it was delicious." That just sounds confusing in any language! Keep it for verbs of knowing, asking, or wondering. It’s like using a key for the right lock.

The biggest trap is mixing up verbs and adjectives. Many people say 작는지 instead of 작은지. Remember, adjectives are very picky about their endings! Another mistake is forgetting the 인지 for nouns. Don't just stick -는지 on a noun stem. It sounds like a glitch in the grammar matrix. Also, don't forget the space after the clause in writing. Though in texting, we all get a bit lazy sometimes! Another common error is using -는지 for the future tense. Stick to the present or past for this specific pattern. If you mess up, just smile and try again. Even the pros had to start somewhere!

Compare -는지 with the polite ending -ㄴ가요. -ㄴ가요 is used to end a polite question directly. -는지 is a connector that stays inside the sentence. They look similar but have totally different jobs. Also, compare it with the future connector -ㄹ지. Use -ㄹ지 for future guesses or choices. Use -는지 for current states or past facts. It is like choosing between a map and a crystal ball. One tells you where you are, the other where you're going. Finally, don't confuse it with -느라고. That one is for giving reasons for being busy. They sound similar but are worlds apart in meaning.