Choice -거나 (or)

What it means

-거나 means "or" between two actions or descriptions: "do A or do B", "be A or B". In English, "or" stands between the two parts. In Korean, -거나 is attached to the end of the first verb or adjective.

How to make it

• Any verb or adjective stem + 거나 (nothing changes): 보다 → 보거나, 먹다 → 먹거나, 쉬다 → 쉬거나, 바쁘다 → 바쁘거나
• The tense goes on the last verb: 영화를 보거나 운동을 했어요. (I watched a movie or exercised.)
• For nouns, use (이)나 instead: 이나 after a consonant (빵이나), 나 after a vowel (커피나)
• To list several possibilities, use -거나 -거나 하다: 읽거나 쓰거나 해요. (I read or write.)

When to use it

• Typical activities: 주말에는 집에서 쉬거나 친구를 만나요. (On weekends I rest at home or meet friends.)
• Giving options or advice: 사전을 찾거나 선생님께 물어보세요. (Look it up in a dictionary or ask the teacher.)
• With adjectives: 피곤하거나 아프면 일찍 주무세요. (If you're tired or sick, go to bed early.)
• Choosing between things (nouns): 아침에는 빵이나 과일을 먹어요. (In the morning I eat bread or fruit.)

Compare

• -거나 → "or" for verbs and adjectives: 쉬거나 친구를 만나요. (I rest or meet friends.)
• (이)나 → "or" for nouns: 커피나 차 (coffee or tea)
• -고 → "and", you do both: 쉬고 친구를 만나요. (I rest and meet friends.)

Common mistakes

• ❌ 빵거나 과일 → ✅ 빵이나 과일 (nouns take (이)나, not -거나)
• ❌ 커피이나 차 → ✅ 커피나 차 (after a vowel, use just 나)
• ❌ 쉬고 친구를 만나요 (to mean "or") → ✅ 쉬거나 친구를 만나요 (-고 means "and")