-는지/-(으)ㄴ지

Curiosity

-는지 and -(으)ㄴ지

1. -는지

Definition:

"-는지" is used with action verbs to express doubt, curiosity, or indirect questioning about an ongoing or future action. It is attached to action verbs in the present tense.

Usage:

• Used with action verbs in the present tense.

• Often used to convey curiosity, guessing, or indirect questions.

• Commonly paired with verbs like "알다" (to know), "모르다" (to not know), "궁금하다" (to be curious), and "생각하다" (to think).

Examples:

• 지금 뭐 하는지 알아요?
  (Do you know what he’s doing right now?)

• 그 사람이 어디에 사는지 모르겠어요.
  (I don’t know where that person lives.)

• 내일 비가 오는지 궁금해요.
  (I wonder if it will rain tomorrow.)

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2. -(으)ㄴ지

Definition:

"-(으)ㄴ지" is used with descriptive verbs (also known as adjectives in English) to express doubt or curiosity about the current state or characteristic of something. It shows that the speaker is unsure or curious about a specific quality or state.

Usage:

• Used with descriptive verbs (형용사) to ask or express doubt about the current state or quality of something.

• Often used with expressions like "알다" (to know), "모르다" (to not know), and "궁금하다" (to be curious).

Examples with Descriptive Verbs:

• 그 여자가 예쁜지 모르겠어요.
  (I don’t know if she is pretty.)

• 이 음식이 맛있는지 궁금해요.
  (I wonder if this food is delicious.)

• 그 사람이 친절한지 알아보고 싶어요.
  (I want to find out if that person is kind.)

• 이 문제가 쉬운지 어려운지 모르겠어요.
  (I don’t know if this problem is easy or difficult.)

• 그 집이 작은지 궁금해요.
  (I wonder if that house is small.)

Summary:

• -는지 is used with action verbs to express doubt or curiosity about actions.

• -(으)ㄴ지 is used with descriptive verbs to express doubt or curiosity about qualities or states.