Questions with 'ㄴ가' — Korean Grammar

The ending (-(ŭ)n·ga-(ŭ)n·ga-(ŭ)n·ga-(ŭ)n·ka) is a question form attached to the stems of adjectives (descriptive verbs) and the copula (i·dai·dai·dai·ta) - to be. It serves two primary functions: creating a softer, more tentative question when addressing others, or forming a self-directed question (monologue) when thinking aloud.

Conjugation Rules

This ending attaches directly to the stem of the adjective.

Vowel Stems: If the stem ends in a vowel, add (-n·ga-n·ga-n·ga-n·ka) directly to the stem.

이 사과는 큰가?
i sa·gwa·nŭn kʰŭn·ga?i sa·gwa·neun keun·ga?i sa·gwa·nŭn k'ŭn·ga?i sa·kwa·nun khun·ka?
Is this apple big?

Consonant Stems: If the stem ends in a consonant, add (-ŭn·ga-eun·ga-ŭn·ga-un·ka).

방이 작은가?
bang·i ja·gŭn·ga?bang·i ja·geun·ga?bang·i ja·gŭn·ga?pang·i ca·kun·ka?
Is the room small?

Copula 'Ida': For (i·dai·dai·dai·ta) - to be, use (-in·ga-in·ga-in·ga-in·ka).

그는 학생인가?
gŭ·nŭn hak·sæng·in·ga?geu·neun hak·saeng·in·ga?gŭ·nŭn hak·saeng·in·ga?ku·nun hak·sayng·in·ka?
Is he a student?

Irregular Adjectives

Certain irregular adjectives change their form before adding this ending.

(b) Irregulars: The (b) changes to (u), and then (-n·ga-n·ga-n·ga-n·ka) is added.

날씨가 추운가?
nal·ssi·ga chʰu·un·ga?nal·ssi·ga chu·un·ga?nal·ssi·ga ch'u·un·ga?nal·ssi·ka chu·un·ka?
Is the weather cold?

(l) Irregulars: The (l) drops, and (-n·ga-n·ga-n·ga-n·ka) is added.

거리가 먼가?
gŏ·ri·ga mŏn·ga?geo·ri·ga meon·ga?gŏ·ri·ga mŏn·ga?ke·li·ka men·ka?
Is the distance far?

Polite Questions (Softening the Tone)

In polite speech ( (hæ·yo·chʰehae·yo·chehae·yo·ch'ehay·yo·chey) level), you add the particle (yo) to the end, forming (-(ŭ)n·ga·yo-(ŭ)n·ga·yo-(ŭ)n·ga·yo-(ŭ)n·ka·yo). While standard questions ending in (-a/ŏ·yo) are perfectly correct, using (-(ŭ)n·ga·yo-(ŭ)n·ga·yo-(ŭ)n·ga·yo-(ŭ)n·ka·yo) adds a nuance of gentleness. It sounds less direct and more like the speaker is tentatively asking for confirmation rather than demanding an answer.

이 옷이 예쁜가요?
i ot·i ye·bbŭn·ga·yo?i ot·i ye·bbeun·ga·yo?i ot·i ye·ppŭn·ga·yo?i ot·i yey·ppun·ka·yo?
Is this clothing pretty?
한국어 공부가 힘든가요?
han·gu·gŏ gong·bu·ga him·dŭn·ga·yo?han·gu·geo gong·bu·ga him·deun·ga·yo?han·gu·gŏ gong·bu·ga him·dŭn·ga·yo?han·ku·ke kong·pu·ka him·tun·ka·yo?
Is studying Korean hard?

Casual Monologues (Self-Questions)

In casual speech ( (ban·malban·malban·malpan·mal)) without the (yo), this form is frequently used to ask questions to oneself. It carries the meaning of "I wonder if..." or "Is it...?". You will often hear this when someone is thinking aloud or observing something surprising.

여기가 정말 서울인가?
yŏ·gi·ga jŏng·mal sŏ·ul·in·ga?yeo·gi·ga jeong·mal seo·ul·in·ga?yŏ·gi·ga jŏng·mal sŏ·ul·in·ga?ye·ki·ka ceng·mal se·ul·in·ka?
Is this really Seoul? (I wonder)
내가 너무 늦었는가?
næ·ga nŏ·mu nŭ·jŏn·nŭn·ga?nae·ga neo·mu neu·jeon·neun·ga?nae·ga nŏ·mu nŭ·jŏn·nŭn·ga?nay·ka ne·mu nu·cen·nun·ka?
Am I too late?

Comparison with Verbs (-나)

While adjectives use (-(ŭ)n·ga-(ŭ)n·ga-(ŭ)n·ga-(ŭ)n·ka), action verbs typically use the ending (-na) to achieve the same soft or self-reflective nuance. Note that existence verbs like (it·dait·dait·dait·ta) - to have/exist and (ŏp·daeop·daŏp·daep·ta) - to not have/exist usually follow the verb pattern and take (-na) in standard modern speech.

지금 바쁜가요?
ji·gŭm ba·bbŭn·ga·yo?ji·geum ba·bbeun·ga·yo?ji·gŭm ba·ppŭn·ga·yo?ci·kum pa·ppun·ka·yo?
Are you busy now? (Adjective)
지금 집에 가나요?
ji·gŭm jib·e ga·na·yo?ji·geum jib·e ga·na·yo?ji·gŭm jib·e ga·na·yo?ci·kum cib·ey ka·na·yo?
Are you going home now? (Verb)
돈이 있나요?
don·i in·na·yo?don·i in·na·yo?don·i in·na·yo?ton·i in·na·yo?
Do you have money? (Existence)

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