지내다

First attested in the Seokbo sangjeol (釋譜詳節 / 석보상절), 1447, as Middle Korean 디내다 (Yale: tinayta). From Middle Korean 디나— (dina-, “to pass”) (Modern 지나— (jina-)) + —이— (-i-, causative/passive suffix).

• (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key): ~
• Phonetic hangul:
  • Though still prescribed in Standard Korean, most speakers in both Koreas no longer distinguish vowel length.

지내다 • (jinaeda) (infinitive 지내 or 지내어, sequential 지내니)

1. to spend (one's time)
2. to live, to get along

   어떻게 지냈어요?

   eotteoke jinaesseoyo?

   How are you? (polite, literally, "How are you getting along?")

   잘 지내요. 고마워요.

   jal jinaeyo. gomawoyo.

   I'm fine. Thank you. (plain)

3. to associate (with people), to keep company (with)
4. to serve as ..., to hold (post)
5. to hold (a service), to perform (rites)

• 지내듣다 (jinaedeutda, “to listen inattentively”)
• 지내보다 (jinaeboda, “to keep company with; to fail to notice; to lose sight of”)
• 물려지내다 (mullyeojinaeda, “to be under a person's thumb”)