TOPIK II Reading: Connective '-자니' (Internal Conflict)

Agent Progress
Built
Keywords
고민 / 상충 / -자니까 / 연결 어미
Lesson #
S
Done
Section
TOPIK II Prep
💡
TL;DR
  • -자니 shows internal conflict: “if I do A, there is a problem; if I do not do A, there is also a problem.”
  • TOPIK II reading often hides the answer in contrast pairs such as 가자니… 안 가자니…, 말하자니… 숨기자니….
  • Read for the speaker’s dilemma, not just the dictionary meaning of each verb.
🎧
🎧 Helper Note: Read each Korean example aloud twice. On the first read, mark the two choices. On the second read, say the emotional result: 고민, 부담, 아쉬움, 난처함, or 망설임.

🔑 The Big Picture

In TOPIK II reading, -자니 often appears in sentences where the writer is stuck between two choices.
A common pattern is:
V-자니 A, V-지 않자니 / 안 V-자니 B
This means:
If I try to do V, A is a problem; but if I do not do V, B is also a problem.
Examples:
  • 가자니 시간이 없고, 안 가자니 아쉽다.
    • If I go, I do not have time; if I do not go, I will feel disappointed.
  • 말하자니 상대가 상처받을 것 같고, 숨기자니 마음이 불편하다.
    • If I say it, the other person may be hurt; if I hide it, I feel uneasy.
  • 버리자니 아깝고, 두자니 공간을 차지한다.
    • If I throw it away, it feels wasteful; if I keep it, it takes up space.
The key reading skill is to identify the two competing pressures and infer the writer’s attitude: hesitation, conflict, burden, regret, or practical difficulty.

🧩 Core Concepts / Patterns

1. Basic form: V-자니

Use -자니 mainly with action verbs.
Verb
Form
Example
가다
가자니
혼자 가자니 걱정된다.
말하다
말하자니
사실대로 말하자니 미안하다.
버리다
버리자니
버리자니 아깝다.
신청하다
신청하자니
신청하자니 비용이 부담스럽다.

2. Conflict pair: V-자니…, 안 V-자니…

This is the most testable pattern.
  • 참자니 억울하고, 따지자니 일이 커질 것 같다.
    • If I endure it, it feels unfair; if I complain, the matter may become bigger.
  • 사자니 비싸고, 안 사자니 꼭 필요하다.
    • If I buy it, it is expensive; if I do not buy it, I really need it.

3. Related form: V-자니까

-자니까 can show what happened when the speaker tried or decided to do something.
  • 문을 열자니까 갑자기 바람이 들어왔다.
    • When I tried to open the door, wind suddenly came in.
  • 혼자 해결하자니까 시간이 너무 오래 걸렸다.
    • When I tried to solve it alone, it took too long.
In TOPIK reading, -자니 usually emphasizes hesitation or conflict, while -자니까 often introduces a result after an attempted action. Always read the whole sentence.

4. Meaning signals near -자니

Watch for these words because they often point to internal conflict:
  • 고민이 되다
  • 망설이다
  • 난처하다
  • 부담스럽다
  • 아쉽다
  • 미안하다
  • 아깝다
  • 걱정되다
  • 어렵다
  • 쉽지 않다

✅ Exam Strategy

  1. Find the two choices.
      • Mark the verbs before -자니.
      • Look for the opposite choice: 안 V-자니, V-지 않자니, or another contrasting verb.
  1. Label the problem after each choice.
      • Choice A → problem A
      • Choice B → problem B
  1. Infer the writer’s attitude.
      • Is the writer worried, hesitant, regretful, burdened, or conflicted?
  1. Avoid answer choices that choose only one side.
      • TOPIK distractors often mention only the first problem or only the second problem.
  1. Check whether the sentence is about action, not simple description.
      • -자니 usually connects to an intended or attempted action.

⚠️ Pitfalls

  • Pitfall 1: Translating too literally.
    • Do not read 가자니 as only “let’s go.” In this pattern, it means closer to “if I try to go.”
  • Pitfall 2: Missing the opposite choice.
    • In 말하자니 미안하고 안 하자니 답답하다, both sides matter.
  • Pitfall 3: Confusing -자니 with -자마자.
    • 도착하자마자 means “as soon as I arrived.” It does not express internal conflict.
  • Pitfall 4: Choosing a positive summary too quickly.
    • Sentences with -자니 often express hesitation, burden, or difficulty, not simple preference.
  • Pitfall 5: Ignoring emotional vocabulary.
    • Words like 아깝다, 미안하다, 부담스럽다, and 난처하다 often reveal the correct inference.

🧠 Worked Examples

Example 1

친구의 부탁을 들어주자니 시간이 부족하고, 거절하자니 미안해서 고민이다.
Correct understanding:
  • Choice 1: help the friend → not enough time
  • Choice 2: refuse → feel sorry
  • Overall attitude: the speaker is conflicted.

Example 2

고장 난 노트북을 고치자니 수리비가 비싸고, 새로 사자니 아직 쓸 만해서 망설이고 있다.
Correct understanding:
  • Choice 1: repair it → expensive
  • Choice 2: buy a new one → the old one is still usable
  • Overall attitude: the speaker cannot decide easily.

Example 3

회의에서 의견을 말하자니 분위기가 어색해질 것 같고, 가만히 있자니 문제가 계속될 것 같았다.
Correct understanding:
  • Choice 1: speak up → atmosphere may become awkward
  • Choice 2: stay quiet → problem may continue
  • Overall attitude: the speaker feels pressured by both options.
📝
Practice Hub: 50 TOPIK-style Questions

Set 1 — Meaning Match (1–10)

Choose the best meaning of the underlined part.
  1. 혼자 가자니 길을 잃을까 봐 걱정되고, 같이 가자니 친구가 바쁠 것 같다. What is the speaker’s situation?
    1. The speaker already went with a friend.
    2. The speaker is unsure because both choices have problems.
    3. The speaker does not want to meet the friend.
    4. The speaker thinks the road is easy.
  1. 버리자니 아깝고, 보관하자니 집이 너무 좁다. What is the main feeling?
    1. satisfaction
    2. internal conflict
    3. confidence
    4. anger at another person
  1. 사실대로 말하자니 상대가 상처받을 것 같고, 숨기자니 마음이 불편하다. What does the speaker worry about?
    1. The truth is not important.
    2. Both telling and hiding the truth are difficult.
    3. The other person already knows everything.
    4. Hiding the truth is impossible.
  1. 지금 신청하자니 비용이 부담스럽고, 나중에 하자니 기회를 놓칠까 걱정이다. Which summary is correct?
    1. The speaker has already missed the chance.
    2. The speaker is deciding between cost and opportunity.
    3. The speaker thinks the fee is cheap.
    4. The speaker refuses to apply later.
  1. 참자니 억울하고, 따지자니 관계가 나빠질 것 같다. What is the speaker’s concern?
    1. Whether to endure or complain
    2. Whether to buy or sell something
    3. Whether to study or rest
    4. Whether to travel alone
  1. 새 옷을 사자니 비싸고, 안 사자니 면접 때 입을 옷이 없다. Why is the speaker hesitating?
    1. The interview was canceled.
    2. The speaker dislikes new clothes.
    3. Buying is expensive, but not buying causes another problem.
    4. The speaker already bought clothes.
  1. 부탁을 거절하자니 미안하고, 들어주자니 내 일정이 너무 빠듯하다. What does this imply?
    1. The speaker has plenty of free time.
    2. The speaker feels torn between kindness and schedule pressure.
    3. The speaker wants to ask for help.
    4. The speaker does not know the person.
  1. 회의에 참석하자니 준비가 안 됐고, 빠지자니 중요한 내용을 놓칠 것 같다. What is the speaker’s dilemma?
    1. Attending unprepared or missing important content
    2. Preparing a report or canceling a trip
    3. Calling a friend or sending an email
    4. Buying a ticket or returning it
  1. 컴퓨터를 고치자니 수리비가 많이 들고, 새로 사자니 예산이 부족하다. Which statement is closest?
    1. The speaker has enough money for both choices.
    2. The speaker is comparing two costly options.
    3. The computer works perfectly.
    4. The speaker already bought a new computer.
  1. 그냥 넘어가자니 마음에 걸리고, 문제를 제기하자니 일이 커질 것 같다. What is the tone?
    1. hesitation
    2. excitement
    3. certainty
    4. celebration
Answers — Set 1
  1. 2 — Both going alone and going with a friend have problems.
  1. 2 — 아깝고 / 좁다 creates a dilemma.
  1. 2 — Telling hurts the person; hiding makes the speaker uncomfortable.
  1. 2 — The conflict is between financial burden and missing a chance.
  1. 1 — 참다 and 따지다 are the two choices.
  1. 3 — This is the classic V-자니…, 안 V-자니… conflict.
  1. 2 — The speaker wants to be considerate but has limited time.
  1. 1 — Both attending and not attending have disadvantages.
  1. 2 — Repairing and replacing both create money problems.
  1. 1 — 마음에 걸리다 and 일이 커지다 signal hesitation.

Set 2 — Choose the Correct Connective (11–20)

Choose the best connective for each blank.
  1. 혼자 해결하___ 시간이 너무 오래 걸리고, 도움을 청하___ 미안하다.
    1. -자니 / -자니
    2. -지만 / -거나
    3. -자마자 / -도록
    4. -느라 / -다면
  1. 그 물건을 버리___ 아깝고, 계속 두___ 자리를 많이 차지한다.
    1. -자니 / -자니
    2. -고 나서 / -기 전에
    3. -아도 / -니까
    4. -는 동안 / -듯이
  1. 지금 출발하___ 길이 막힐 것 같고, 늦게 출발하___ 약속 시간에 늦을 것 같다.
    1. -자니 / -자니
    2. -려고 / -면서
    3. -더니 / -지만
    4. -아야 / -거든
  1. 친구에게 사실을 말하___ 상처를 받을 것 같고, 말하지 않___ 계속 오해할 것 같다.
    1. -자니 / -자니
    2. -거나 / -고
    3. -자마자 / -니까
    4. -도록 / -느라고
  1. 비싼 강의를 등록하___ 부담스럽고, 포기하___ 실력이 늘지 않을까 걱정된다.
    1. -자니 / -자니
    2. -아도 / -아서
    3. -기 때문에 / -지만
    4. -는 대로 / -듯이
  1. 회의에서 반대 의견을 내___ 분위기가 어색해질 것 같고, 가만히 있___ 결정이 잘못될 것 같다.
    1. -자니 / -자니
    2. -게 / -도록
    3. -자마자 / -느라
    4. -거나 / -든지
  1. 낡은 가방을 고치___ 돈이 들고, 새로 사___ 더 큰돈이 든다.
    1. -자니 / -자니
    2. -지만 / -니까
    3. -려고 / -면서
    4. -아도 / -더라도
  1. 부모님께 말씀드리___ 걱정하실 것 같고, 혼자 결정하___ 자신이 없다.
    1. -자니 / -자니
    2. -거나 / -고
    3. -자마자 / -기 전에
    4. -듯이 / -도록
  1. 지금 회사를 그만두___ 불안하고, 계속 다니___ 건강이 걱정된다.
    1. -자니 / -자니
    2. -느라 / -면서
    3. -거나 / -지만
    4. -아야 / -더니
  1. 그 제안을 받아들이___ 조건이 마음에 걸리고, 거절하___ 좋은 기회를 놓칠 것 같다.
    1. -자니 / -자니
    2. -자마자 / -느라고
    3. -아서 / -지만
    4. -도록 / -기 위해
Answers — Set 2
  1. 1 — Two attempted actions create two burdens.
  1. 1 — Throwing away and keeping both have disadvantages.
  1. 1 — Both departure times create a possible problem.
  1. 1 — Telling and not telling are contrasted.
  1. 1 — Registering and giving up both cause concern.
  1. 1 — Speaking and staying silent are the competing choices.
  1. 1 — Repairing and buying both cost money.
  1. 1 — Telling parents and deciding alone both feel difficult.
  1. 1 — Quitting and continuing both create risk.
  1. 1 — Accepting and rejecting are contrasted.

Set 3 — Inference Questions (21–30)

Read each sentence and choose the best inference.
  1. 유학을 가자니 비용이 걱정되고, 포기하자니 오랫동안 준비한 것이 아깝다.
    1. The speaker is proud of giving up.
    2. The speaker is conflicted about studying abroad.
    3. The speaker has already paid all expenses.
    4. The speaker dislikes studying.
  1. 동료에게 부탁하자니 미안하고, 혼자 하자니 마감 시간을 맞추기 어렵다.
    1. The speaker needs help but feels uncomfortable asking.
    2. The speaker finished the work early.
    3. The colleague refused already.
    4. The deadline is not important.
  1. 이사를 하자니 돈이 많이 들고, 그냥 살자니 출퇴근 시간이 너무 길다.
    1. The speaker is choosing between cost and commute time.
    2. The speaker has no job.
    3. The speaker wants a bigger house only.
    4. The speaker already moved.
  1. 아이에게 스마트폰을 사 주자니 너무 이른 것 같고, 안 사 주자니 친구들과 어울리기 어려울 것 같다.
    1. The parent is balancing age concerns and social concerns.
    2. The child already lost a phone.
    3. The parent thinks phones are always good.
    4. The child does not have friends.
  1. 행사에 참가하자니 일이 밀리고, 빠지자니 팀원들에게 미안하다.
    1. The speaker feels responsible both for work and the team.
    2. The speaker dislikes the team.
    3. The event was postponed.
    4. The work is already finished.
  1. 계약을 연장하자니 조건이 좋지 않고, 끝내자니 당장 대안을 찾기 어렵다.
    1. The speaker has a perfect alternative.
    2. The speaker is deciding between a bad condition and no immediate alternative.
    3. The contract has already ended.
    4. The speaker wants to avoid all contracts.
  1. 도시락을 싸자니 시간이 없고, 사 먹자니 매일 드는 돈이 부담스럽다.
    1. The speaker is concerned about time and money.
    2. The speaker never eats lunch.
    3. The speaker hates home food.
    4. The speaker received free meals.
  1. 자료를 더 찾자니 시간이 부족하고, 이대로 제출하자니 내용이 부족한 것 같다.
    1. The speaker is uncertain about the quality of the submission.
    2. The speaker has too much time.
    3. The topic is unrelated to research.
    4. The submission is already perfect.
  1. 친구에게 돈을 빌려주자니 돌려받지 못할까 걱정되고, 거절하자니 사이가 멀어질 것 같다.
    1. The speaker does not know the friend.
    2. The speaker is torn between financial risk and relationship concern.
    3. The friend already paid back the money.
    4. The speaker wants to borrow money.
  1. 새로운 일을 시작하자니 실패가 두렵고, 지금처럼 지내자니 발전이 없을 것 같다.
    1. The speaker is satisfied with the present.
    2. The speaker is caught between fear of failure and desire for growth.
    3. The speaker failed already.
    4. The speaker dislikes all new work.
Answers — Set 3
  1. 2 — Cost conflicts with the value of long preparation.
  1. 1 — Asking feels uncomfortable, but doing it alone is hard.
  1. 1 — Moving costs money; staying costs commute time.
  1. 1 — The parent sees problems on both sides.
  1. 1 — Work pressure and team obligation conflict.
  1. 2 — Neither extending nor ending is easy.
  1. 1 — Packing lunch costs time; buying lunch costs money.
  1. 1 — The speaker worries that more research is needed but time is short.
  1. 2 — Lending may create financial risk; refusing may damage the relationship.
  1. 2 — The sentence contrasts fear and growth.

Set 4 — Complete the Sentence (31–40)

Choose the most natural completion.
  1. 그 사실을 말하자니 상대가 상처받을 것 같고, 숨기자니 _____.
    1. 마음이 편하지 않다
    2. 날씨가 맑다
    3. 이미 도착했다
    4. 음식이 맛있다
  1. 비싼 카메라를 사자니 부담스럽고, 안 사자니 _____.
    1. 사진 수업에 필요하다
    2. 어제 잠을 잤다
    3. 버스가 늦었다
    4. 음악이 조용하다
  1. 회의에서 질문하자니 분위기가 어색해질 것 같고, 그냥 있자니 _____.
    1. 궁금한 점이 해결되지 않는다
    2. 창문이 열려 있다
    3. 책상이 크다
    4. 길이 넓다
  1. 고향에 내려가자니 시간이 부족하고, 가지 않자니 _____.
    1. 부모님께 죄송하다
    2. 물이 차갑다
    3. 신발이 작다
    4. 노래가 빠르다
  1. 낡은 책상을 버리자니 아깝고, 계속 쓰자니 _____.
    1. 너무 흔들려서 불편하다
    2. 하늘이 파랗다
    3. 편지가 도착했다
    4. 영화가 끝났다
  1. 새 직장으로 옮기자니 적응이 걱정되고, 지금 회사에 남자니 _____.
    1. 성장할 기회가 적다
    2. 커피가 뜨겁다
    3. 지하철이 빠르다
    4. 문이 닫혔다
  1. 혼자 여행하자니 외로울 것 같고, 친구와 가자니 _____.
    1. 일정을 맞추기 어렵다
    2. 색깔이 밝다
    3. 냄새가 좋다
    4. 시험이 끝났다
  1. 아이를 혼내자니 마음이 아프고, 그냥 두자니 _____.
    1. 같은 실수를 반복할 것 같다
    2. 꽃이 피었다
    3. 가격이 싸다
    4. 시간이 멈췄다
  1. 중고로 팔자니 가격을 제대로 받기 어렵고, 그냥 쓰자니 _____.
    1. 이미 새 제품을 샀다
    2. 비가 그쳤다
    3. 노래를 불렀다
    4. 글씨가 예쁘다
  1. 온라인 수업을 듣자니 집중이 잘 안 되고, 오프라인 수업을 듣자니 _____.
    1. 이동 시간이 부담스럽다
    2. 바다가 깊다
    3. 사진이 선명하다
    4. 문장이 짧다
Answers — Set 4
  1. 1 — Hiding the truth creates emotional discomfort.
  1. 1 — Not buying conflicts with a practical need.
  1. 1 — Staying quiet leaves the question unresolved.
  1. 1 — Not visiting creates guilt toward parents.
  1. 1 — Keeping it creates a practical inconvenience.
  1. 1 — Staying creates a career-growth concern.
  1. 1 — Going with a friend creates a scheduling issue.
  1. 1 — Not correcting the child may allow the mistake to continue.
  1. 1 — Keeping it is inconvenient because a new one already exists.
  1. 1 — Offline class creates a travel-time burden.

Set 5 — TOPIK Reading Mini Passages (41–50)

Read and choose the best answer.
  1. 요즘 책장이 가득 차서 오래된 책을 정리하려고 한다. 그런데 버리자니 다시 필요할 것 같고, 보관하자니 둘 곳이 없다. What is the writer’s problem?
    1. The writer cannot decide what to do with old books.
    2. The writer wants to buy more books immediately.
    3. The writer lost all books.
    4. The writer dislikes reading.
  1. 회사에서 해외 연수 기회가 생겼다. 신청하자니 가족과 오래 떨어져 있어야 하고, 포기하자니 좋은 기회를 놓치는 것 같아 고민이다. What is the writer thinking?
    1. Family and career opportunity are both important.
    2. The company canceled the training.
    3. The writer has no interest in training.
    4. The family already moved overseas.
  1. 친구가 빌린 물건을 오랫동안 돌려주지 않고 있다. 돌려 달라고 하자니 쪼잔해 보일까 걱정되고, 그냥 기다리자니 계속 신경이 쓰인다. What is the writer’s attitude?
    1. The writer is completely calm.
    2. The writer is hesitant about bringing up the issue.
    3. The writer forgot the borrowed item.
    4. The writer wants to borrow more things.
  1. 작년에 산 운동화를 계속 신자니 발이 아프고, 새로 사자니 아직 멀쩡해 보여서 아깝다. Why does the writer hesitate?
    1. The old shoes are uncomfortable but still look usable.
    2. The writer never wears shoes.
    3. The shoes were free.
    4. The writer already bought two pairs.
  1. 팀 프로젝트에서 한 사람이 계속 일을 늦게 제출한다. 지적하자니 분위기가 나빠질 것 같고, 그냥 두자니 다른 팀원들이 힘들어질 것 같다. What can be inferred?
    1. The writer is balancing team harmony and responsibility.
    2. The project has no deadline.
    3. Everyone submits work early.
    4. The writer wants to leave the team immediately.
  1. 집 근처 헬스장은 비싸지만 가깝고, 먼 곳은 싸지만 시간이 오래 걸린다. 가까운 곳을 다니자니 비용이 부담스럽고, 먼 곳을 다니자니 꾸준히 가기 어려울 것 같다. What is the main conflict?
    1. Cost versus convenience
    2. Weather versus clothing
    3. Food versus taste
    4. Reading versus writing
  1. 부모님께 진로를 바꾸고 싶다고 말씀드리자니 실망하실까 걱정되고, 말하지 않자니 혼자 결정하기가 불안하다. What is the writer’s concern?
    1. The writer wants advice but fears disappointing parents.
    2. The parents already approved everything.
    3. The writer has no career concern.
    4. The writer dislikes all conversations.
  1. 중요한 시험을 앞두고 아르바이트를 계속하자니 공부 시간이 부족하고, 그만두자니 생활비가 걱정된다. Which summary is correct?
    1. The writer is choosing between study time and living expenses.
    2. The writer does not need money.
    3. The exam is already over.
    4. The part-time job is unrelated to time.
  1. 이웃집 소음 때문에 밤마다 잠을 설치고 있다. 항의하자니 이웃 사이가 불편해질 것 같고, 참자니 건강에 문제가 생길 것 같다. What is the writer’s dilemma?
    1. Maintaining neighbor relations versus protecting health
    2. Buying furniture versus cleaning the house
    3. Moving abroad versus studying language
    4. Cooking dinner versus eating out
  1. 오래된 휴대폰을 계속 쓰자니 자주 멈추고, 바꾸자니 새 제품 가격이 부담스럽다. What does the sentence mean?
    1. The writer is unsure because keeping and replacing both have drawbacks.
    2. The phone works perfectly.
    3. The writer already changed the phone.
    4. New phones are always free.
Answers — Set 5
  1. 1 — Throwing away and keeping books both create problems.
  1. 1 — Training is valuable, but separation from family is difficult.
  1. 2 — The writer wants the item back but worries about seeming petty.
  1. 1 — Comfort and wastefulness conflict.
  1. 1 — Speaking up may hurt the mood; silence may hurt the team.
  1. 1 — The close gym costs more; the far gym costs time and effort.
  1. 1 — The writer wants support but fears disappointing parents.
  1. 1 — Work provides money but reduces study time.
  1. 1 — Complaining may hurt relations; enduring may hurt health.
  1. 1 — Both continuing to use it and replacing it have disadvantages.

✅ Final Review

Before answering TOPIK questions with -자니, ask yourself:
  • What action is being considered?
  • What problem appears if the person does it?
  • What problem appears if the person does not do it or chooses the other option?
  • Which word best describes the person’s feeling: 고민, 망설임, 부담, 아쉬움, or 난처함?
If you can explain both sides of the conflict in one sentence, you have understood the grammar correctly.