9. Korean Conjunctions: Or (이)나, 거나, 또는, and ~고

Korean Conjunctions: (이)나, 거나, 또는, and ~고

In Korean, there are different ways to say "or" and "and."
Today, we will learn:

✅ (이)나 → "Or" (for nouns)
✅ 거나 → "Or" (for verbs)
✅ 또는 → "Or" (for nouns, more formal)
✅ ~고 → "And" (for actions)

Let's go through each one with examples using fruits, food, and household items! 😊

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1. (이)나 – "Or" (for nouns)

The particle (이)나 is used between two nouns to mean "or."

• If a noun ends in a consonant, use 이나 (e.g., 책이나).
• If a noun ends in a vowel, use 나 (e.g., 사과나).

🔹 Sentence Structure:

👉 Noun 1 + (이)나 + Noun 2

Example Sentence Translation

사과나 배를 먹어요.	I eat an apple or a pear.
커피나 차를 마셔요.	I drink coffee or tea.
텔레비전이나 라디오를 들어요.	I watch TV or listen to the radio.
침대나 소파에서 쉬어요.	I rest on the bed or the sofa.

📌 Tip: (이)나 is used when either option is okay.

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2. 거나 – "Or" (for verbs)

The conjunction 거나 is used between two action verbs to mean "or."

🔹 Sentence Structure:

👉 Verb 1 (stem) + 거나 + Verb 2

Example Sentence Translation

밥을 먹거나 빵을 먹어요.	I eat rice or eat bread.
텔레비전을 보거나 음악을 들어요.	I watch TV or listen to music.
방을 청소하거나 설거지를 해요.	I clean the room or wash the dishes.
카페에서 공부하거나 친구를 만나요.	I study at a café or meet a friend.

📌 Tip: 거나 is only used with verbs, while (이)나 is for nouns.

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3. 또는 – "Or" (for nouns, more formal)

또는 also means "or", but it is more formal and commonly used in written Korean.

🔹 Sentence Structure:

👉 Noun 1 + 또는 + Noun 2

Example Sentence Translation

딸기 또는 바나나를 살 거예요.	I will buy strawberries or bananas.
소파 또는 의자에서 쉴 거예요.	I will rest on the sofa or the chair.
물 또는 주스를 주세요.	Please give me water or juice.
점심으로 김밥 또는 라면을 먹어요.	I eat kimbap or ramen for lunch.

📌 Tip: (이)나 and 또는 are similar, but 또는 is more formal and used in written Korean.

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4. ~고 – "And" (for actions)

The conjunction ~고 is used to connect two action verbs to mean "and."

🔹 Sentence Structure:

👉 Verb 1 (stem) + 고 + Verb 2

Example Sentence Translation

아침을 먹고 학교에 가요.	I eat breakfast and go to school.
텔레비전을 보고 쉬어요.	I watch TV and rest.
친구를 만나고 저녁을 먹어요.	I meet my friend and eat dinner.
방을 청소하고 빨래를 해요.	I clean my room and do laundry.

📌 Tip: ~고 is only used for actions, not nouns.

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5. Comparing (이)나, 거나, 또는, and ~고

Expression Meaning Example Sentence

(이)나	"Or" (for nouns)	사과나 바나나를 먹어요. (I eat an apple or a banana.)
거나	"Or" (for verbs)	음악을 듣거나 책을 읽어요. (I listen to music or read a book.)
또는	"Or" (formal, for nouns)	물 또는 주스를 주세요. (Please give me water or juice.)
~고	"And" (for actions)	친구를 만나고 저녁을 먹어요. (I meet my friend and eat dinner.)

📌 Key Differences:
✅ (이)나 / 또는 → Used for nouns (또는 is more formal).
✅ 거나 → Used for verbs.
✅ ~고 → Used for actions (verbs), meaning "and."

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6. Useful Vocabulary (과일, 음식, 집안 물건)

🍎 Fruits (과일)

Korean English

사과	Apple
배	Pear
바나나	Banana
딸기	Strawberry
포도	Grape

🍜 Food (음식)

Korean English

밥	Rice
김밥	Kimbap
라면	Ramen
빵	Bread
커피	Coffee

🏠 Household Items (집안 물건)

Korean English

텔레비전	Television
소파	Sofa
침대	Bed
의자	Chair
냉장고	Refrigerator

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🎯 Quick Quiz (Test Yourself!)

1️⃣ Choose the correct particle:
🔹 저는 오렌지(나 / 거나) 포도를 먹어요.
🔹 친구를 만나(고 / 거나) 영화를 봐요.
🔹 저는 책을 읽(고 / 거나) 음악을 들어요.
🔹 우유(또는 / 고) 주스를 주세요.

2️⃣ Translate into Korean:
🔹 "I eat bread or rice."
🔹 "I drink coffee or tea."
🔹 "I clean my room and do laundry."
🔹 "I listen to music or read a book."

Comment your answers below! ⬇️😊