1 Workbook

L2.46 N-(이)나 grammar (3) = N or something ~express an acceptable option without specific preference.

Usage:
- Express an acceptable option without any specific preference in mind = this or something similar.

- This usage of (이)나 should be used with an expression indicating one’s intention or will: 할까요?/ 합시다. / 하려고 해요. / 할래요. / 하겠어요.
- 에나 must be used after time noun while both (이)나 and 에나 can be used after place noun (example 6, 8).

- Past tense can’t be used after (이)나. (example 9)
- N(이)나 grammar also has other usages = (1) or / (2) up to, no less than. 

Noun + -(이)나:

차이나 = tea or something
게임이나 = game or something

버스나 = bus or something

대전에나 = Daejeon or somewhere

제주도에나 = Jeju or somewhere
다음 주에나 = next week or another time

Examples:

1. 민아 씨, 정말 오랜만이에요.
- 그러네요. 우리 오랜만에 만났는데 차나 한 잔 마시면서 이야기할까요?

Mina, it's really been a long time.
- You are right. Since it's been a long time, why don't we drink some tea or something and chat.

2. 엄마, 친구랑 놀고 올게요.
- 이제 그만 놀고 책이나 좀 읽어.

Mom, I am off to play with my friend.
- Stop playing and read a book or something now.

3. 우리는 할 일도 없는데 게임이나 할까?

We have nothing to do, so how about playing a game.

4. 시간이 부족하니까 버스 대신에 택시나 타야겠어요.

Since I am lack of time, so I will have to take a taxi or something instead of a bus.

5. 오후에 시간 있으면 인사동에나 갑시다.

If you have got time this afternoon,  let's go somewhere like Insadong.

6. 길 휴일인데 제주도에나 여행을 갑시다.

Since It’s a long holiday, let's travel Jeju or somewhere.

7. 밥이 없으면 라면이나 먹을까?

Since we have nothing to eat, how about eating  instant noodle or something.

8. 이번 주는 시간 없으니까 다음 주쯤에나 만나자.

Since we don't have spare time this week, let's meet next week or another time.

9. 여행이나 했어요. (Wrong)
여행이나 할까요?/합시다. (Correct).

10. 여행이나 하고 싶어요. (Wrong)
여행이나 하려고 해요./ 할래요. (Correct)

All usages of N(이)나 grammar:

1. Choice between 2 things:

E.g. 돈이 있으면 큰 좋은 노트북이나 핸드폰을 사고 싶어요.

I want to buy a good notebook or a mobile phone when I have money.

2. Amount of something is more than expected.

E.g. 배가 고파서 밥을 3 그릇이나 먹었어요.

I was hungry and ate up to 3 bowls of rice.

3. An acceptable option, not the best choice, without any specific preference in mind

E.g. 심심한데 영화나 할래요?

We are bored, so how about watching movie together?