~(으)나

adventuresinkorean:

This is a contrastive ending with multiple usages. Some of its usages overlap with ~지만, or ~거나/~든지.

In the first use, ~(으)나 is applied exactly like ~지만 to express a contrast between two different states of affairs. Both forms are used in both writing and speaking, but more often in formal writing.

값은 좀 비싸나 음식 맛은 좋아요.
It’s a bit expensive, but it tastes good.

어제 술집에 갔으나 술은 마시지 않았어요.
I went to a bar yesterday, but I didn’t drink any alcohol.

의견에 따르긴 하겠으나 결과는 책임지지 않겠습니다.
I’ll follow your decision, but not take responsibility for the result.

좋은 약은 입에 쓰나 몸에 이롭다.
Good medicine is bitter to the mouth but good for the body.

In the second use, ~(으)나 is used twice in the same sentence to give the meaning of “whether… or…”. Its usage implies that the state of affairs given in the final clause will occur regardless of the two choices given in the first clause. Its function here is similar to ~거나 or ~든지.

그 사람은 자나 깨나 술만 마셔요.
Whether awake or asleep, he always drinks.

앉으나 서나 허리가 앞아요.
Whether sitting or standing, my back hurts.

좋으나 싫으나 해야 해요.
You have to do it whether you like it or not.

In the third usage, ~(으)나 can be used in clauses containing question words like ‘무엇’, ‘어디’, ‘누구’, ‘언제’, and ‘어떻게’ to imply that whatever is expressed in this clause is of no consequence. These constructions usually translate as “whoever”, “whenever, “wherever”, etc.

내가 어디 가나 상관하지 마.
Wherever I go, just mind your own business.

뭘 먹으나 살이 안 쪄요.
Whatever I eat, I don’t gain weight.

In the fourth usage, ~(으)나 can be used to link two identical adjectives, in order to give emphasis to the adjective in a similar way as adding “very”/“really” or using a superlative.

크나 큰 죄인이 되고 말았어요.
S/he ended up becoming a really big criminal.

작으나 작은 피해도 없게 하는 것이 행정의 원칙이다.
The principle of administration is to avoid even the smallest damages.

In the fifth usage, it is combined with the verb 말다 (to desist) in the form ~(으)나 마나 to give the meaning of “whether… or not…”, and shows that the final result will occur whether or not the first clause happens. Sometimes, ~(으)나마나 is simply followed by ~이다 in the form ~(으)나마나예요.

학생들은 혼내주나 마나 마찬가지예요.
It’s all the same whether or not you give students a hard time.

시험은 보나 마나 그 학생은 떨어질 거예요.
The student will probably fail whether he takes the exam or not.

그런 회의는 하나 마나 예요.
It won’t do any good whether or not we hold that kind of conference.

(Info and examples taken from Korean: A Comprehensive Grammar and Using Korean: Guide to Contemporary Use)

humans-of-seoul:

“I just bought this bike yesterday and took it out to ride it today for the first time. It’s much better than taking the bus. On the bus, I feel like I’m being carried by the bus rather than taking it. One time, on the bus, I thought ‘what am I doing here?’ You know when the bus jerks, you’re also thrown back and forth. Even though I wanted to stand still, I couldn’t even though I wanted to, which made me think about it. On the other hand, biking makes me feel alive, because I’m the one who pushes the pedals. Although I was dying when I was riding my bike, I was so happy. I think the same goes for our lives. We should move on our own.”

“어제 자전거 사서 오늘 처음 타고 나왔어요. 버스 타고 다니는 것 보다 훨씬 좋아요. 버스 타고 다닐 때는 제가 다니는 게 아니라 실려 다닌다는 느낌이 들었거든요. 하루는 버스 타고 가면서 ‘내가 지금 뭐하고 있는 거지?’ 라는 생각이 들었어요. 버스가 흔들리면 몸이 이리저리 흔들리잖아요. 저는 똑바로 서있고 싶은데 내 의지랑 상관없이 흔들리니까 내가 지금 뭐하고 있나 생각이 들었어요. 근데 자전거는 제가 밟아서 움직이니까 살아있는 느낌이 들어요. 자전거 탄다고 힘들어 죽겠는데도 너무 행복하더라고요. 인생도 똑같다고 생각해요. 자기 스스로 움직여야죠.”

~(으)라고 to express purpose/intent

adventuresinkorean:

This construction is used to express that the action in the second clause is done for the purpose/intent of SOMEONE ELSE doing the action in the first clause. It can be translated as “for the sake of”, “so that”, “in order to”, etc.

Examples:

우리 엄마가 너하고 먹으라고 도시락을 아주 많이 싸 주셨어.
My mom wrapped a lot for lunch so that I could eat with you.

네가 만인에게 읽으라고 글을 썼으면 독자의 비판을 받는 것은 당연한 일 아닌가.
If you write for everyone to read, then isn’t it certain that you’d receive reader criticism?

이게 다 너 잘되라고 하는 소리야.
I’m saying all this for your benefit.

제사상에라도 놓으시라고 과일 좀 가져왔습니다.
I brought some fruit so you could put it on the ceremonial table, or something.

This is comparable, but DIFFERENT from the construction ~(으)려고, which is used to express that someone does something for THEIR OWN sake. You can see the difference here:

먹으라고 사온거예요.
I bought it for you to eat.
먹으려고 사온거예요.
I bought this to eat it (myself).

제사상에 놓으시라고 과일 좀 가져왔습니다.
I brought fruit so that you could put it on the ceremonial table.
제사상에 놓으시려고 과일 가져오셨습니다.
You brought fruit so that you could put it on the ceremonial table.

This construction can be mistaken for the reported command construction (eg. 하라고 했어요! = I told you to do it!), but it is used differently.

nabi-day:

Uffington White Horse | 백마 백악질 조각품

언덕이 많은 제 고향의 지형과 달리 백마 언덕 근처 지형은 아주 평평해서 멀리 조망하기 좋았어요. 조각품와 가까이 서 있으면 전체의 완성된 말 그림이 보이지 않지만 테리 프래쳇의 책에서 나오는 말이 딱 맞더라고요. “말 같아 보이지 않은데 말 자체다.”

The land surrounding White Horse Hill is completely flat, which is very different to the hilly terrain where we’re from but it was nice to be able to see for miles. You can’t actually see the horse fully when you’re standing there, but the chalk lines are clear beneath you. As one of the characters in the Terry Pratchett book says about the carving:“Tain’t what a horse looks like, but it’s what a horse be.”

See the rest here…