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Lv 3Connective endingIntermediate · TOPIK II

-는다거나

-neundageona

like...or; whether...or

Attaches to a verb stem to list actions as illustrative examples ('like doing X or Y'), or, repeated, to show a choice between two or more actions.

Form

Attaches to
Verb, Adjective, Auxiliary
Other shapes
-ㄴ다거나 · -다거나 · -라거나

Meanings

  1. 1

    An expression used to explain something by listing some behaviors as examples.

    여러 가지 행위를 예로 들어 나열하면서 설명할 때 쓰는 표현.

  2. 2

    An expression used to choose one of two or more confronting behaviors.

    둘 이상의 동작이나 상태, 대상 중 하나를 선택함을 나타내는 표현.

    ※ ‘-는다고 하거나’가 줄어든 말이다.

Examples

  • 주말에는 책을 읽는다거나 드라마를 보면서 시간을 보낸다.

    On weekends, I spend time reading or watching dramas, that sort of thing.

  • 기숙사에서는 음악을 크게 듣는다거나 큰 소리를 내면 안 된다.

    In the dormitory, you're not allowed to play music loudly or make loud noises.

  • 공원에서 꽃을 꺾는다거나 풀을 밟는다거나 하면 안 되는 거야.

    You're not supposed to pick flowers or step on the grass in the park, that kind of thing.

  • 어떻게 하면 목돈을 마련할 수 있을까? 적금을 넣는다거나 투자를 하면 되지.

    How can I save up a lump sum of money? You could put money into savings or make investments.

  • 택시를 잡는다거나 버스를 기다리거나 해야지.

    You should either hail a taxi or wait for the bus.

  • 손님이 많을 때에는 주방 일을 돕는다거나 배달이라도 좀 하거라.

    When there are a lot of customers, help out in the kitchen or at least do some deliveries.

Examples: 한국어기초사전, CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.

Don’t confuse with

Forms with a close meaning — a favourite source of wrong answers on TOPIK.

Quick check

  1. 1. What does ‘-는다거나’ mean?

  2. 2. Which form means “like...or; whether...or”?