A Complete Guide to Korean Particles: 은/는, 이/가, 을/를

Key Takeaways:

• Korean particles form the basis of solid sentence structure, determining the role of each word within a sentence.
• Topic particles (은/는) mark the main idea or contrast within a sentence.
• Subject particles (이/가) mark who or what performs the action, and they also often add new or specific information.
• Object particles (을/를) clarify what is being acted upon in the sentence.
• Once you master particles, you’ll find learning the Korean language a lot simpler.

What Are Korean Particles?

Korean particles are grammatical markers that attach to nouns to indicate their function in a sentence (the GOATs of sentence structure). Unlike English, the Korean language relies more on these particles than on the order of the words in a sentence. 

Particles do a lot of heavy lifting — like defining whether a noun is a subject, topic, object, or another role altogether — so, you’ll want to master them if you’re learning Korean. 

Although there are many types of Korean particles, the three most important are:

• 은/는: Topic markers
• 이/가: Subject markers
• 을/를: Object markers

Depending on their role, we refer to these as Korean subject particles, topic particles, or object markers.

Topic Particles 101: Your Complete Guide (은/는)

So, when do you use a topic particle in Korean and what do they actually do? Simply put, a topic particle highlights what the sentence is about, usually by contrast or generalization. Since they translate into "as for" or "regarding" in English, you can use them like this:

When to Use 은 vs 는

• Use 은 after a noun ending in a consonant.
• Use 는 after a noun ending in a vowel.

Examples:

• 개은 건강해요. (As for the dog, it's healthy.)
• 남자는 일하고 있어요. (As for the man, he's working.)

Topic Particle Examples and Practice

In the Korean language, you can use 은/는 to set a scene, make comparisons, or even emphasize context over action.

What Does a Korean Subject Particle Do? (이/가)

Subject particles in Korean indicate the doer of the action or the main noun that you’re describing. And they usually introduce new or specific information.

Understanding Ga in Korean Grammar

The particle 가 (ga in Korean) is one of the two subject particles in Korean, and the other is 이. You can use this particle to mark the subject of a sentence, like the person or thing performing the action or who you're describing. Likewise, use 가 (ga) when the noun ends in a vowel, and when you introduce new information or specify who or what is doing something.

• Use 이 after a noun ending in a consonant.
• Use 가 after a noun ending in a vowel.

Examples:

• 고양이가 자고 있어요. (The cat is sleeping.)
• 남자가 오고 있어요. (The man is coming.)

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Korean Subject Particles vs Topic Particles

Sure, subject particles and topic particles both point to nouns, but there are some slight differences. Korean subject particles highlight who or what is performing an action. On the other hand, a topic particle provides context or contrast. Like so:

To remember when to use subject particles in Korean, simply determine the doer of the action or the main noun that you’re speaking about. 

What Are the Object Particle Usage Rules? (을/를l)

In Korean, object particles 을 and 를 mark the direct object of a sentence, meaning the person or thing that is directly affected by the verb. And once you've gotten the hang of subject particles, this is the next area to master.

Feeling a bit confused still? No problem, imagine it like this. Someone is eating an apple, so the apple is the object receiving the action (being eaten). That means the apple gets the object particle Korean marker. Or how about somebody watching a movie? The movie is being watched (receiving the action), so it gets the object particle marker.

We use object particles to build clear and grammatically correct sentences, especially when describing actions. But just like our friends, subject and topic markers, whether you use a 을 or 를 depends on whether the word before it ends in a consonant or a vowel. Like this:

• Use 을 after a noun ending in a consonant.
• Use 를 after a noun ending in a vowel.

Examples:

• 남자가 천도를 보고 있어요. (The man is looking at the map.)
• 남자가 사과를 먹어요. (The man eats an apple.)

We use particles to specify what is receiving the action. So, mastering them is a must if you want to form clear sentences in Korean. And Promova can help you do just that.

When Do You Use Korean Indirect Object Particles? (한테/에게)

In Korean, we use indirect object particles 한테 and 에게 to indicate the recipient of an action, so to whom or for whom something is done. You'll commonly find these with verbs like "give," "tell," or "send," which mark the person or animal receiving the object or action. 

On the surface, they function similarly. But once you learn Korean, you'll find 한테 more in spoken and informal Korean, and 에게 in written or formal contexts (AKA the fancy one).

• 한테 and 여기 both mean "to" someone.
• 에게 is more formal or written.

Examples:

• 남자가 여자에게 선물을 주었어요. (The man gave the woman a gift.)
• 저는 친구한테 책을 빌려줬어요. (I lent a book to a friend.)

What are Korean Possessive Particles? (의)

As the English apostrophe's long-lost cousin, you use the possessive particle 의 to show ownership or relationships. It connects a noun to something it possesses, forming phrases like "Jenny's book" or "the student's bag." 

In the Korean language, you would usually pronounce 의 as [의] in formal speech, but when you're kicking it casually with someone, you pronounce it more like [에]. Sidebar, though, in spoken Korean, you can usually leave out 의 when the meaning is clear from context.

Example sentences:

• 남자의 차 = The man's car
• 학생의 책 = The student's book

Understanding 의 can help you build more natural and descriptive sentences, and Promova’s language learning app can help you do it with ease.

When Should You Use Korean Location Particles? (에/에서/(으)로)

Just as its straightforward name suggests, location particles in Korean help you describe where actions are taking place or where someone or something is going. Use 에 and 에서 to indicate location or direction, or (으)로 to show movement toward a place or how you did something. Once you master location particles in Korean, it'll be a cinch to express time, place, and movement.

Korean Connection Particles (과/와/(이)랑)

As with its English counterpart (and), you use connection particles in Korean to link two or more nouns, including people, objects, or ideas. Super important connection particles like 과, 와, and (이)랑 keep your sentences smooth and natural, but the one you use depends on how formal you're speaking and whether the noun before it ends in a consonant or a vowel. To help you out, keep this rule in mind:

• 과 (after consonant), 와 (after vowel): Formal
• (이)랑: Casual or spoken

Examples:

• 여자과 남자 = The woman and the man
• 사과랑 날씨 = Apple and weather

How to Pick the Right Particles in Korean: Quick Tips

Particles can be prickly business, but with a little practice and Promova by your side, you'll get the hang of it. As long as you're choosing them based on the role they play in the sentence, and the sound they end with, you're on the right track. These tips can help: 

• Focus on the function of the particle and not just its translation.
• Always consider final consonants and vowels to help you choose the correct particle form.
• Read and listen to the Korean language, and you'll learn faster through pattern recognition.
• Practice putting what you learned into action by mixing subject, topic, and object particles in short sentences.

Psst, want a sneaky shortcut? Use Promova’s Korean language learning app and Korean exercises and quizzes to lock in what you’ve learned.

Master Korean Particles with Promova Structured Lessons

As with anything worth learning, mastering how to use a Korean particle won't magically happen overnight. But with consistent and structured practice, you'll build on your Korean grammar skills every day. Enter, Promova.

We designed the Promova Korean course to take our learners from zero to confident speakers, and we explain all those tricky grammar rules (including particles) in a real-life context. Inside the Promova app, you’ll find:

• Bite-sized lessons that focus on one concept at a time so that you can fit them into your busy schedule.
• AI role play so you can get speaking practice in real-life scenarios.
• The basics on grammar breakdowns, including how to master 은/는, 이/가, and 을/를.
• Travel-ready courses, like Basic Korean for Travel, to take your newly mastered language on the road. 
• Interactive quizzes and particle-focused exercises to cement what you've learned.

But wait, there’s more. Promova’s Korean for beginners blog series is our deep dive into grammar and vocabulary for entry-level learners, helping you build your confidence beyond the app. Combine Promova's lessons with regular conversation practice? You’ll be waxing lyrical in Korean in no time. 

Parting Words on Korean Particles

Particles in Korean are the bones of any good sentence, and the way that we infuse meaning into words. When you master 은/는, 이/가, and 을/를, you also gain the ability to understand and construct more natural Korean sentences. As long as you remember that topic, subject, and object markers all do different things, you’ll be on easy street. Keep practising with Promova and you’ll reach the Korean fluency level you need.