-니
-ni
isn't it so?; question ending
A sentence-final ending: in the moderately low register it states a general truth ('...you know'), and in the plain low register it asks a direct question, commonly used by adults toward children or among close friends.
Form
- Attaches to
- Verb, Adjective, 이다, Auxiliary
- Other shapes
- -으니
Meanings
- 1
(formal, moderately addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used when stating a truth or obvious fact.
(예사 낮춤으로) 진리나 당연한 사실을 말함을 나타내는 종결 어미.
※ ‘이다’, 받침이 없거나 ‘ㄹ’ 받침인 형용사 또는 ‘-으시-’ 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
- 2
(formal, highly addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending referring to a question.
(아주낮춤으로) 물음을 나타내는 종결 어미.
※ ‘이다’, 동사와 형용사 또는 ‘-으시-’, ‘-었-’, ‘-겠-’ 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
Examples
부모에게 효도하는 것이 사람의 도리이니.
Being filial to one's parents is simply a person's duty.
어떤 일이든지 이론보다는 실전이 중요하니.
In anything, practice matters more than theory.
남을 욕하는 것은 자기 얼굴에 침을 뱉는 것이니.
Insulting others is like spitting in your own face.
과제 다 했니? 난 이제 시작인데 정말 하기 싫어. 금방 하겠네. 시작이 반이니.
Did you finish the assignment? I've only just started and really don't feel like doing it. You'll finish it in no time -- starting is half the battle.
너 지금 어디니?
Where are you right now?
지수랑 언제 만나기로 했니?
When did you arrange to meet Jisu?
Examples: 한국어기초사전, CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.
Don’t confuse with
Forms with a close meaning — a favourite source of wrong answers on TOPIK.
Quick check
1. What does ‘-니’ mean?
2. Which form means “isn't it so?; question ending”?