은/는 · 이/가 · 을/를 – Korean basic particles
- Meaning
- topic, subject and object markers
- Level
- Beginner
- Topic
- Particles
Korean marks the role of each noun with a particle after it. Each comes in two shapes: one after a vowel (는, 가, 를) and one after a consonant (은, 이, 을).
Key rules
- After vowel
- After consonant
- Direction particle
- 를 after vowel
Examples with 은/는 · 이/가 · 을/를
The highlighted part is the grammar form.
- 저는 학생입니다 Jeoneun haksaengimnida I am a student 는 after vowel, 은 after consonant. Topic = 'As for X...'
- 이것은 책입니다 Igeoseun chaegimmida This is a book 은 after consonant (ㅅ in 것). Same function as 는.
- 밥을 먹습니다 Babeul meokseumnida I eat rice 을 marks the object (what receives action). After consonant ㅂ.
- 커피를 마십니다 Keopireul masimnida I drink coffee 를 after vowel. 을/를 are interchangeable in meaning.
- 학교에 갑니다 Hakgyoe gamnida I go to school 에 marks destination or location. Used with 가다, 오다, 있다.
- 도서관에서 공부합니다 Doseogwaneseo gongbuhamnida I study at the library 에서 = at (for actions). 에 = at (for existence/destination).
- 비가 옵니다 Biga omnida It's raining (rain comes) 가 marks the subject (doer of action). After vowel.
- 친구를 만납니다 Chingureul mannamnida I meet a friend 친구 ends in vowel so use 를. 만나다 = meet someone.
Vocabulary in these examples
저I (humble)
는topic marker
이것this
은topic marker
밥rice
을object marker
먹다eat
커피coffee
를object marker
학교school
에to/at
도서관library
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