Korean Basic Particles

Particles are small words that attach directly to nouns. They show the role of each word in a sentence — who is doing the action, what is being acted on, and where something is. There are no spaces between the noun and the particle.

Some particles have two forms. The form changes depending on whether the noun ends with 받침* or not. This makes the words easier to pronounce when spoken together.

With 받침* → 은 / 이 / 을
Without 받침* → 는 / 가 / 를

*받침 is the final consonant or consonant cluster at the bottom of a Korean syllable.
예: 학생 (생 = ㅅ+ㅐ+ㅇ, the final consonant ㅇ is the 받침)
예: 커피 (피 = ㅍ+ㅣ, no final consonant = no 받침)

Topic Particle

은 / 는

Used to introduce or highlight the topic of a sentence, to make comparisons, or to refer to something previously mentioned.

With 받침* → 은
학생은 교실에 있어요. The student is in the classroom.
어제 차를 샀어요. 그 차는 빨간색이에요. I bought a car yesterday. The car is red.

Without 받침* → 는
저는 지민이에요. I am Jimin.
저는 빵을 좋아해요. 그런데 제 친구는 피자를 좋아해요. I like bread. But my friend likes pizza.

Subject Particle

이 / 가

Used to identify the subject of a sentence, with question words, or when emphasizing new or important information.

With 받침* → 이
선생님이 설명해요. The teacher explains.
저기에 식당이 있어요. There is a restaurant over there.

Without 받침* → 가
친구가 학교에 가요. A friend goes to school.
날씨가 좋아요. The weather is nice.

☕ 은/는 vs 이/가

은/는 is used when introducing a topic or making a contrast.
이/가 is used when the subject is new information or the focus of the sentence.
Don’t worry if it feels confusing at first — even advanced learners find this tricky!

Object Particle

을 / 를

Used to mark the object of a sentence — the thing being acted on.
이/가 is used with adjectives to describe a state or quality.

With 받침* → 을
저는 아침에 공부를 해요. — 잠깐
음악을 들어요. I listen to music.
책을 읽어요. I read a book.

Without 받침* → 를
한국 드라마를 봐요. I watch Korean dramas.
K-Drama를 좋아해요. I like K-Dramas.

💡 이/가 with adjectives

빵이 맛있어요. The bread is delicious.
K-드라마가 좋아요. K-Dramas are good. (I like K-Dramas.)

When using adjectives, 이/가 is used instead of 을/를.

Place Particles

에 — Destination / Location

Used to indicate a destination or a place of existence.

저는 런던에 가요. I am going to London.
친구가 런던에 와요. My friend is coming to London.
친구가 런던에 있어요. My friend is in London.

에서 — Location of Action

Used to indicate where an action takes place.

런던에서 일해요. I work in London.
런던에서 공부해요. I study in London.
런던에서 만날까요? Shall we meet in London?

💡 에 vs 에서

에 is used with verbs of direction (가다, 오다) and existence (있다, 없다).
에서 is used when an action takes place at a location.

저는 카페에 가요. I go to the café. [direction]
저는 카페에서 공부해요. I study at the café. [action]

Time Particle

에 — Point in Time

Used to mark a specific point in time.

아침에 학교에 가요. I go to school in the morning.
2022년에 한국에 갔어요. I went to Korea in 2022.
7시에 일어나요. I wake up at 7 o’clock.

With & And

하고 — Neutral

점심에 친구하고 밥을 먹어요. I eat with a friend for lunch.
점심에 빵하고 과일을 먹어요. I eat bread and fruit for lunch.

랑 / 이랑 — Casual

With 받침* → 이랑
점심에 빵이랑 과일을 먹어요. I eat bread and fruit for lunch.

Without 받침* → 랑
점심에 친구랑 밥을 먹어요. I eat with a friend for lunch.

Practice · 연습

1. 나는 학교( ) 갔어요. I went to school.
2. 친구들( ) 함께 영화( ) 보러 갈 거예요. I will go watch a movie with my friends.
3. 공원( ) 산책하며 시간( ) 보냈어요. I spent time walking in the park.
4. 봄( ) 되면 꽃들( ) 피어나요. Flowers bloom in spring.
5. 집( ) 가서 저녁( ) 먹을 거예요. I will go home and have dinner.
6. 이 건물( ) 학교예요. This building is a school.

Answers

1. 나는 학교(에) 갔어요.
2. 친구들(하고/이랑/과) 함께 영화(를) 보러 갈 거예요.
3. 공원(에서) 산책하며 시간(을) 보냈어요.
4. 봄(이) 되면 꽃들(이) 피어나요.
5. 집(에) 가서 저녁(을) 먹을 거예요.
6. 이 건물(은) 학교예요.