Learn Korean: Noun + 라니

Let’s take a look at the Korean sentence pattern Noun + 라니. We use this as a response to what we just heard or found out that is ridiculous or unbelievable. We take the keyword (noun) and attach 라니 if it ends in a vowel and 이라니 if it ends in a consonant. The polite form is (이)라뇨.

Example #1: I was sitting on a bench when a group of teenage girls approached me and asked where the nearest toilet is. They addressed me as 아저씨 (middle-aged man) when I am just only 25 years old. I couldn’t believe what I just heard. Me, 아저씨? No way. I said 아저씨라뇨. (What do you mean 아저씨? I am not that old).

Example #2: I have been walking around Seoul the whole day. Now, I am starving so I drop by the nearest fast-food. While checking the menu, I come across a burger that costs $20. I can’t believe what I just saw. How can a single-patty burger be that expensive? I murmur 20달러라니. (20 is read as 이십).

오빠라뇨.

Why do you call me oppa. You’re a guy. You are supposed to call me hyung.

깡패라니.

How dare you call me a gangster? Watch your words.

자살이라뇨.

What do you mean suicide? Are you sure of that? He was perfectly okay yesterday. It can’t be.