Korean Grammar Beginner -Particles- (16): N(이)나2

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I. Examples

(이)나 implies that there is a notable increase or quantity exceeding expectations. It is equivalent to ‘as many as’ or ‘no less than’ in English. 나 is added to words ending in a vowel, while 이나 is used with words ending in a consonant.

그 때 철수를 한 시간이나 기다렸어요.
(I waited for Cheolsu for no less than an hour at that time.)

그 가족은 아이가 열 명이나 있어요.
(That family has as many as ten children.)

초코 쿠키가 맛있어서 열 개나 먹었어요.
(The chocolate cookies were so delicious that
I ate as many as ten of them..)

II. Grammar Point

Korean Grammar Beginner -Particles- (13): N밖에

1. 이나 vs 밖에

The particle 밖에 denotes that a number or amount falls below expectations or does not meet a standard, whereas (이)나 signifies that a number or amount surpasses expectations or exceeds a standard. Depending on the viewpoint, a specific quantity can be seen as either smaller or larger than anticipated, allowing for the use of both 밖에 and (이)나 to convey such perspectives.

물이 반밖에 없어요.
(There’s only half of the water.)
–> less than expected
물이 반이나 있어요.
(There’s more than half of the water.)
–> less than expected

우리는 아이가 세 명밖에 없어요.
(We only have three children.)
–> feels less for the family
세 명이나 있어요?
(You have three children?)
–> seems quite a lot for a standard

이번에 시험 점수 80점이나 받았어요.
(I got 80 points on the exam this time.)
–> 80 points is a score higher than expected.
난 이번 시험에 90점밖에 못 받았어요.
(I could only get 90 points on this exam.)
–> 90 points is a score lower than expected.

III. Practice

오늘 길이 막혀 학교까지 1시간___ 걸렸어요.
그 영화가 재미있어서 5번___ 봤어요.
영희집에 개가 10마리___ 있어요.
철수는 하루에 커피를 5잔___ 마셔요.

I. Examples

II. Grammar Point

1. 이나 vs 밖에

III. Practice

IV. See More