In the Korean language, particles help show how words relate to one another. The predicate normally comes at the end of a sentence, while particles identify roles such as subject and object. Some particles can be omitted when the context makes the meaning clear.
What do particles do in a Korean sentence?
When you add a particle to a Korean word, it denotes the purpose of the word in a sentence. Is it the subject, object, or something else? Some particles take the place of a preposition. Particles are written directly after the word they attach to, without a space. Many attach to nouns or pronouns; some can also follow other word forms.
In spoken conversations, however, some particles are often dropped when the message is still obvious without using them.
Because you are new to the Korean language, it will take some time to get accustomed to using the particles correctly. In time, it will start to feel more natural to you.
What are the common particles used in the Korean language?
Instead of focusing too much on what all the particles are called, you should familiarize yourself with the functions of the different particles. Let’s just look at the list of the particles commonly used in the Korean language and what their functions are:
For this introduction, we group particles by function. These are learning categories, not a complete grammatical classification:
- Marking particles
- Particles expressing place, time, recipient, and means
- Other particles and a related plural suffix
Marking Particles
| Particle | Function |
|---|---|
| 이/가 | Marks the subject of the sentence. 이 follows a consonant, and 가 follows a vowel. 엄마가 시장에 갔어요. |
| 은/는 | Marks a topic or contrast; the topic need not be the grammatical subject. 은 follows a consonant, and 는 follows a vowel.
제이슨은 의사가 아니에요. |
| 을/를 | Marks the object of the sentence when using an action verb. 을 follows a consonant, and 를 follows a vowel.
저는 사과를 좋아해요. |
| 도 | Adds the meaning “also” or “too.” It can attach to subjects, objects, and other expressions.
저도 피자 먹고 싶어요. 치즈도 많이 달라고 전해주세요. |
| 만 | Adds the meaning “only.” It can attach to subjects, objects, and other expressions.
일등을 한 사람만 선물을 받아요. |
Particles Expressing Place, Time, Recipient, and Means
| Particle | Function |
|---|---|
| 에 / 에서 | 에 can mark a destination, a time, or the location where something exists. 에서 can mark where an action happens or where something comes from. Their English translations depend on the sentence.
그 학생은 도서관에 갔어요. 그 영화는 2시에 시작해요. 저는 서울에서 왔어요. |
| 부터 / 까지 | 부터 marks a starting point, often in time, and 까지 marks an endpoint, in time or space.
저는 오늘부터 다음 주까지 휴가예요. 우리 식당은 아침 9시부터 저녁 11시까지 장사해요. 서울에서 부산까지 가는 기차는 몇 시에 떠나요? |
| 에게 / 한테 / 께 | These particles can mark the person receiving something. 에게 is neutral, 한테 is common in conversation, and 께 honors the recipient. This distinction is separate from the sentence ending used to address the listener.
오빠는 여자친구에게 꽃을 선물했어요. 저는 남동생한테 비밀을 말하지 않았어요. 저는 할머니께 편지를 드렸어요. |
| 으로 / 로 | Marks a direction, means, tool, or method, among other uses. Use 으로 after a consonant other than ㄹ; use 로 after a vowel or ㄹ.
식당으로 갑시다. 제 친구는 애리조나로 이사를 갔어요. 종이는 가위로 자르세요. 한 사람의 힘으로 그 바위를 움직일 수 없어요. |
Other Particles and the Plural Suffix 들
| Particle | Function |
|---|---|
| 이나 / 나 | Connects alternatives, meaning “or.” Attach 이나 to the first noun after a consonant, or 나 after a vowel.
점심은 간단하게 샐러드나 국으로 정해요. |
| 들 | The suffix -들 can mark a countable noun or pronoun as plural. Korean nouns do not always need explicit plural marking. In these examples, 들 is a suffix, not a particle.
이 공원에 새들이 많이 날아다녀요. 늦은 사람들은 밖에서 기다려야 해요. |
| 의 | Links nouns in a possessive or other modifying relationship, often translated as “of” or an English possessive.
그 남자의 부인은 아름다워요. 우리나라의 한 가지 특징은 맛있는 음식이에요. |
| 와 / 과 / 하고 / 랑 / 이랑 | Connect nouns with the meaning “and” or indicate companionship (“with”). Use 과 and 이랑 after a consonant, 와 and 랑 after a vowel; 하고 works after either. 랑/이랑 are conversational.
전쟁과 평화 엄마와 아빠 연필하고 종이 저는 친구랑 놀았어요. 엄마는 여동생이랑 학교에 갔어요. |
These particles follow the words they attach to. Unlike English prepositions, they are written after those words, without a space.
Conclusion
The correct use of particles in the Korean language is important because you want to be able to clearly communicate without being misunderstood. Particles play a crucial role in conveying the intended message.
This article was just an overview to introduce you to the particles. Don’t feel like you have to learn and memorize all of them right away. Just take one at a time and master them slowly!
Please feel free to ask questions and make suggestions by leaving a comment below!
REVIEW AND REPEAT DAILY, AND YOU WILL SEE PROGRESS… 화이팅!!
Beginner answer
Why are Korean particles hard for beginners?
Korean particles are hard because English does not mark topic, subject, and object in the same visible way. Beginners usually learn them faster inside tiny sentences than in isolated definition lists.
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