(으)나 마나 💞💞💞

Question 1

(으)나 마나 the result of something doesn’t matter, so don’t bother

Similar nuance as 봤자 (but 봤자 has strong “even if you do it, you won’t get what you want”)

Question 2

No matter if you do it or not, the result is fixed
Negative or positive but usually negative
(으)나 마마

Question 3

Constructed like
Action Verb + (으)나 마나
*note only with verbs (not adjectives)

Answer 3

먹으나 마나.. no matter if you eat…
바나 마나 이상할 거야 no matter if you look(or not) it will be strange

Question 4

(으)나 마나 Followed by a clause or 예요
When the result can be guessed/is obvious, don’t need a clause after
Very common
“It’s no use/ there’s no point to do the verb”

Answer 4

먹으나 마나예요 there’s no use eating
그렇게 하면 하나 마나예요
If you do that, (the result) is the same/doesn’t matter/there’s no use

Question 5

I do need to even bother to see it, I already know
보나 마나예요

Answer 5

이런 날씨에는 우산을 쓰나 마나예요 in this type of weather, it’s no use using an umbrella (if it’s really rainy)

Question 6

물어보나 마나 안 된다고 할 거예요.
= Whether you ask them or not, they will say “it doesn’t work”.

하나 마나 똑같아요.
= No matter whether you do it or not, (the result is ) the same.

Question 7

아/어/여 봤자 = Even if you do it, you will not achieve what you hope
(으)나 마나 No matter whether you do it or not, the result is fixed

Question 8

마나comes from 말다
So 나 마나 means weather OR NOT

Question 9

이 책은 읽으나 마나예요.
This book is worthless to read. (Whether you read it or not, the results the same)

Answer 9

그 책은 읽으나 마나 도움이 안 될 거야
Even if you read that book, it won’t be helpful

Question 10

Can’t attach negative action words like 안 or 지 않
안 하나 마나 X
Sounds awkward

Question 11

Verbs can both use 봤자 and ..?

Answer 11

나 마나
And adjectives just can be with 봤자

Question 12

티(가) 나다 means that something is apparent or something is easy to tell

Answer 12

비싼 옷을 입어봤자 티도 안 나요.
It doesn’t make a difference if I wear expensive clothes, because nobody can (obviously) tell.