-는지 in Korean: “whether, if (embedded question)”
-는지
-neunji
whether, if (embedded question)
Intermediate · Linking ideas
-는지 (-neunji) means "whether", "if", or a question word like "where" or "what" placed inside a bigger sentence. It turns a question into part of a sentence, as in "I don't know if it's tasty" or "Do you know where he's going?"
How to form it
| When | Add | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb stem (and 있다/없다) | + 는지 | 가다 → 가는지, 맛있다 → 맛있는지 |
| Adjective stem (vowel / consonant) | + ㄴ지 / 은지 | 비싸다 → 비싼지, 좋다 → 좋은지 |
| Past tense | + 았/었는지 | 먹다 → 먹었는지 |
| Noun | + 인지 | 누구 → 누구인지 (누군지) |
How to use it
-는지 is usually followed by verbs like 알다 (know), 모르다 (not know), 궁금하다 (wonder), and 물어보다 (ask): 맛있는지 모르겠어요 (I'm not sure if it's tasty).
With question words it makes "where/what/who ..." clauses: 어디에 가는지 알아요? (Do you know where he's going?).
얼마나 -는지 몰라요 is a common expression meaning "you have no idea how (much) ...": 얼마나 맛있는지 몰라요 (You have no idea how good it is). Politeness comes from the final verb.
Examples
Tap a word to see what it means and save it to your flashcards.
Asking about a friend
Looking at a menu
At a party
Checking on a friend
Don’t mix it up with
-(으)ㄹ지: -(으)ㄹ지 is for future or uncertain things (I don't know if it will rain). -는지 is for present or past facts.
-든지: -든지 means "whether ... or, it doesn't matter which." -는지 asks or wonders about something.
Common mistakes
Using 는지 with adjectives. Say 비싼지 and 좋은지, not 비싸는지 and 좋는지.
Want the basics first? Read Describing nouns (-는, -은, -을).
Questions learners ask
What does 얼마나 -는지 몰라요 mean?
It means "you have no idea how (much) ..." and is used to emphasize a feeling. 얼마나 보고 싶었는지 몰라요 means "You don't know how much I missed you."
When do I use -는지 vs -(으)ㄴ지?
Use -는지 with action verbs and with 있다/없다. Use -(으)ㄴ지 with adjectives (비싼지, 좋은지) and 인지 with nouns.