Korean grammar patterns › Level 5
-(으)나
but, however (written)
Level 5 · TOPIK II · advanced
How to use it
Contrasts two clauses like -지만, but is used mainly in writing, news and formal speeches.
Forming it
| 가다 | → 가나 |
| 좋다 | → 좋으나 |
| 만들다 | → 만드나 |
| 했다 | → 했으나 |
Do not confuse with N(이)나 'or / about'. In casual speech use -지만 instead.
Examples
열심히 노력했으나 좋은 결과를 얻지 못했다.
I worked hard, but I did not get a good result.
이 제품은 가격이 비싸나 품질이 좋다.
This product is expensive, but its quality is good.
Compared with similar patterns
-지만 is the everyday form for 'but'. -건만 (T6) is literary and adds disappointment that an expectation was not met.