2. Korean Particles: 은/는, 이/가, 을/를

Korean Particles: 은/는, 이/가, 을/를

In Korean, particles are attached to nouns to show their role in a sentence. Three of the most important and commonly used particles are:

1. 은/는 — Topic Marker

Meaning: Marks the topic of the sentence (what we are talking about).
Sometimes it also gives a sense of contrast or general statements.

Ending Use

Consonant	은
Vowel	는

📌 Examples:

1. 저는 학생입니다.
   (jeoneun haksaengimnida) — As for me, I am a student.
   → '저' is the topic. We're talking about me.
2. 이 책은 재미있어요.
   (i chaegeun jaemiisseoyo) — This book is interesting.
   → We're talking about this book.
3. 날씨는 좋아요.
   (nalssineun joayo) — The weather is nice.
   → Talking generally about the weather.
4. 사과는 맛있어요.
   (sagwaneun masisseoyo) — Apples are delicious.
   → General opinion about apples.
5. 그 사람은 조용해요.
   (geu sarameun joyonghaeyo) — That person is quiet.
6. 저는 한국어를 공부해요.
   → '저' is the topic, not necessarily the subject doing the action in focus.

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2. 이/가 — Subject Marker

Meaning: Shows who or what is doing the action.

Ending Use

Consonant	이
Vowel	가

📌 Examples:

1. 학생이 공부해요.
   (haksaengi gongbuhaeyo) — A student is studying.
   → '학생' is doing the action.
2. 비가 와요.
   (biga wayo) — It's raining.
3. 고양이가 자요.
   (goyangiga jago isseoyo) — The cat is sleeping.
4. 친구가 전화했어요.
   (chinguga jeonhwahaesseoyo) — A friend called.
5. 문이 열려요.
   (muni yeollyeoyo) — The door is open.

🔎 은/는 vs. 이/가:

• 은/는 often shows context or contrast, while
• 이/가 often emphasizes who/what is doing something.

Compare:

• 오늘은 비가 와요.
  → As for today, it is raining. (contrast to other days)
• 오늘이 비가 오는 첫날이에요.
  → Today is the first day it rained. (subject-focused)

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3. 을/를 — Object Marker

Meaning: Shows the object of the verb (what is being affected by the action).

Ending Use

Consonant	을
Vowel	를

📌 Examples:

1. 책을 읽어요.
   (chaegeul ilgeoyo) — I read a book.
2. 음악을 들어요.
   (eumageul deureoyo) — I listen to music.
3. 커피를 마셔요.
   (keopireul masyeoyo) — I drink coffee.
4. 한국어를 공부해요.
   (hangugeoreul gongbuhaeyo) — I study Korean.
5. 빵을 먹어요.
   (ppangeul meogeoyo) — I eat bread.

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🆚 Summary of Differences

Particle Role Usage Meaning in English

은/는	Topic marker	Focus on overall topic or contrast	“As for…” / “Speaking of…”
이/가	Subject marker	Focus on who/what is doing something	“Who/What is doing…?”
을/를	Object marker	Focus on who/what receives the action	“Who/What is being acted on?”

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📖 Vocabulary from examples

Korean English

책	book
학생	student
날씨	weather
사과	apple
사람	person
비	rain
고양이	cat
음악	music
커피	coffee
친구	friend
문	door
한국어	Korean language
빵	bread
공부하다	to study
듣다	to listen
읽다	to read
마시다	to drink
자다	to sleep

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🧠 Quiz Time!

Fill in the blanks with the correct particle: 은/는, 이/가, or 을/를.

1. 저는 김치를 좋아해요. → What is the role of 저는?
2. 고양이__ 물을 마셔요.
3. 오늘__ 날씨가 좋아요.
4. 친구__ 저를 도와줬어요.
5. 저는 커피__ 마셔요.

✅ Answers:

1. Topic
2. 가
3. 은
4. 가
5. 를

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Let me know if you'd like this in a worksheet format or with multiple-choice options too!