Let's study the Korean grammar "-나/(으)ㄴ가 보다" today. This expression is used to make an assumption or guess based on evidence or observation. It’s similar to saying "It seems like..." or "I guess..." in English. Even though "-나 보다" and "-(으)ㄴ가 보다" have similar meanings, their usages differ depending on the type of verb or adjective.
#1 Definition
"-나 보다" and "-(으)ㄴ가 보다" are both expressions used to indicate the speaker's assumption or guess based on indirect evidence. The usage depends on whether the word stem is a verb, adjective, or the copula (이다).
#2 Usage
1. "-나 보다" (for verbs and past tense adjectives)
Use "-나 보다" with action verbs and when guessing about something that’s happening or might happen.
Also used with past tense of adjectives.
2. "-(으)ㄴ가 보다" (for adjectives and the copula "이다")
Use "-(으)ㄴ가 보다" with descriptive adjectives and the copula (이다) for making assumptions based on observations.
Use "-인가 보다" when it’s directly attached to nouns.
#3 Examples
1) Action Verb + -나 보다
비가 오나 봐요.
(It seems like it's raining.)그가 지금 뭔가 찾고 있나 봐요.
(I guess he’s looking for something now.)
2) Adjective + -(으)ㄴ가 보다
그는 요즘 바쁜가 봐요.
(I guess he’s busy these days.)그 남자 키가 작은가 봐요.
(It seems like he’s short.)
3) Noun + -인가 보다
저 사람은 선생님인가 봐요.
(It seems like that person is a teacher.)여기가 우리 목적지인가 봐요.
(I guess this is our destination.)
4) Past Tense Adjective + -나 보다
어제 피곤했나 봐요.
(It seems like you were tired yesterday.)어제 추웠나 봐요.
(It seems like it was cold yesterday.)
#5 Similar Grammar Structures
-는 것 같다: Also used for guessing or assuming, but can be more neutral and less reliant on evidence.
예: 비가 오는 것 같아요. (I think it’s raining.)
-겠-: Expresses a strong assumption, often based on reasoning or logic rather than observation.
예: 그는 이미 도착했겠어요. (He must have already arrived.)
# Usage Pattern Observation
In spoken Korean, there seems to be a tendency to use "-나 보다" and "-(으)ㄴ가 보다" based on whether the adjective stem ends with a consonant (받침) or not. While this isn't a strict grammatical rule found in textbooks, it’s a pattern that many native Korean speakers naturally follow.
# Usage Patterns Explained
When the adjective stem ends with a consonant: Use "-나 보다"
Example: 작다 (to be small) → 작나 보다
(The adjective stem "작-" ends with the consonant "ㄱ".)
When the adjective stem has no final consonant (받침이 없음): Use "-(으)ㄴ가 보다"
Example: 예쁘다 (to be pretty) → 예쁘ㄴ가 보다
(The adjective stem "예쁘-" has no final consonant.)
# Examples for Comparison
1) Adjective stem with a final consonant + -나 보다
그 옷이 좀 작나 봐요.
(It seems like the clothes are a bit small.)오늘 날씨가 춥나 봐요.
(I guess the weather is cold today.)그 음식이 좀 맵나 봐요.
(It seems like that food is spicy.)
2) Adjective stem without a final consonant + -(으)ㄴ가 보다
그 사람이 정말 친절한가 봐요.
(It seems like that person is really kind.)이 음식이 정말 짠가 봐요.
(I guess this food is really salty.)그녀가 예쁜가 봐요.
(It seems like she’s pretty.)
# Summary
Adjective with a final consonant: Often uses "-나 보다".
Adjective without a final consonant: Often uses "-(으)ㄴ가 보다".
This pattern isn’t a strict grammatical rule, but it reflects a natural tendency in spoken Korean. Being aware of this can help you use more natural-sounding expressions in conversation. 😊