(이)나 in Korean: “or, as many as”
(이)나
(i)na
or, as many as
Beginner · Particles
(이)나 ((i)na) means "or" between two nouns: 커피나 차 means "coffee or tea." It can also mean "or something" to soften a suggestion, and after a number it means "as many as" to show surprise. Use 나 after a vowel and 이나 after a consonant.
How to form it
| When | Add | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun ending in a vowel | + 나 | 커피 → 커피나 차 |
| Noun ending in a consonant | + 이나 | 빵 → 빵이나 과자 |
| Number + counter (as many as) | + (이)나 | 두 시간 → 두 시간이나 |
How to use it
Between nouns, (이)나 means "or": 커피나 차 (coffee or tea). For verbs and adjectives, use -거나 instead.
In suggestions, (이)나 means "or something" and makes the idea sound casual: 영화나 볼까요? (Shall we watch a movie or something?).
After a number, (이)나 means "as many as" or "a whole," showing the amount feels large: 두 시간이나 기다렸어요 (I waited a whole two hours).
(이)나 has no politeness level. Note that 나 here is not the word 나 meaning "I."
Examples
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Offering a drink
Making weekend plans
Complaining about a late friend
At a convenience store
Don’t mix it up with
-거나: -거나 joins verbs and adjectives (먹거나 자요), while (이)나 joins nouns (빵이나 밥).
하고/(이)랑: 하고 and (이)랑 mean "and" (both things), while (이)나 means "or" (one of them).
Common mistakes
Using (이)나 between verbs, as in 먹나 자요. For verbs, use -거나: 먹거나 자요.
Want the basics first? Read Saying "and" (하고, 와/과, 랑).
Questions learners ask
When do I use 이나 and when do I use 나?
Use 나 after a vowel (커피나) and 이나 after a consonant (빵이나).
What does 두 시간이나 mean?
It means "as long as two hours" or "a whole two hours." (이)나 after a number shows the amount feels like a lot.