4. Wae-n vs. Wae-n

1. Wae-nji vs. Wae-nji To get straight to the point, the word 'wae-nji' (as a standalone word) doesn't exist. 'Wae-nji' is a contraction of 'wae-in-ji' (why-is-it), used when you don't know the exact reason. Ex) Wae-nji (for some reason), I feel good today. 2. 'Wae-n' is a determiner meaning 'what happened' or 'what kind of'. A determiner is a word that modifies a noun. Ex) Wae-n saram (what kind of person), Wae-n-il (what's going on), Wae-n tteok (unexpected fortune/luck, literally 'what떡') 3. 'Wae-n' is only used in the form 'wae-nji'. This means everything else is 'wae-n'. Ex) Wae-n-il (what happened) 4. Conclusion The word 'wae-nji' doesn't exist. 'Wae-nji' is a shortened form of 'wae-in-ji' (why-is-it), and 'wae-n' is a determiner meaning 'what happened'. 'Wae-n' is only used in the form 'wae-nji', and everything else uses 'wae-n'. Ex) Wae-nji the sky is blue, What's going on?!