This pattern is employed to gently/softly ask a question when an answer is not strongly demanded. The speaker often expects a yes or no answer. In other words, don't use this pattern when arguing with someone and you are trying to get an answer out of them. It's more for casual conversation.

- noun + 인가요?
- descriptive verb + ㄴ가요 (vowel ending) or 은가요? (consonant ending)
- action verb + 나요?
- 있다/없다 use 나요?
- the 요 is optional when speaking to close friends/social inferiors
- women tend to use this pattern somewhat more than men (at least in older generations)

Examples:
날씨가 추운가요? Is the weather cold?
영어를 공부하나요? Are you studying English?