Korean Particles: Complete Grammar Guide

Q: What's the difference between 은/는 and 이/가 in Korean?

은/는 are topic markers that introduce what the sentence is about. Use them for general statements, contrasts, and known information. 이/가 are subject markers that identify the specific doer of an action. Use them for new information, emphasis, and answering "who" or "what" questions. A simple rule: if you can replace the particle with "as for," use 은/는. If you're pointing out a specific actor, use 이/가. Example: 누가 왔어요? (Who came?) The answer must use 이/가 because you're identifying the subject, not setting a topic. You'd say 친구가 왔어요 (A friend came), not 친구는 왔어요.

Q: What are the Korean particles?

Korean particles are small grammatical markers that attach to nouns to show their role in a sentence. The most common particles are topic markers (은/는), subject markers (이/가), object markers (을/를), and location/time markers (에, 에서). Unlike English, which relies on word order, Korean uses particles to clarify meaning. This allows flexible word order while keeping sentences clear. Learning particles is the single most important step beyond beginner Korean. Mastering particles requires spaced repetition practice. Study consistently with flashcards to lock these patterns into memory.

Q: How to know when to use 이 or 가?

Use 이 with nouns ending in a consonant and 가 with nouns ending in a vowel. This is a phonetic rule, not a grammar choice. Examples: 책이 있어요 (chaek-i, book ends in consonant), but 친구가 와요 (chingu-ga, friend ends in vowel). Once you know which form to use, remember that both 이 and 가 are subject markers. They identify who or what performs the action. Use them in questions like 누가 왔어요? (Who came?) and to answer with the actor's name.

Q: How to know when to use 은 or 는?

Use 은 with nouns ending in a consonant and 는 with nouns ending in a vowel. This is purely phonetic. Examples: 사람은 좋아요 (person ends in consonant), but 저는 학생이에요 (I ends in vowel). Once you know the form, remember that both 은 and 는 are topic markers. They introduce what you're talking about, often translated as "as for." Use them to set context before making a statement about that topic.

KoreanBy FluentFlash Research Team·Updated 2026-04-30

Korean particles (조사, josa) are small grammatical markers attached to nouns and pronouns. They show a word's grammatical role in a sentence, replacing the word order rules English uses.

Unlike English, Korean word order is flexible. The subject can appear anywhere as long as you attach the right particle. This makes particles essential to understanding Korean grammar.

This guide covers the five most important particles you'll see in everyday sentences: topic markers (은/는), subject markers (이/가), object markers (을/를), the location/time marker (에), and the action-location marker (에서).

You'll learn the phonetic rules that determine which form to use, when particles change meaning, and the common mistakes learners make. By the end, you'll parse Korean sentences with confidence.

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Topic and Subject Particles

Understanding Topic vs Subject

Topic particles (은/는) introduce what you're discussing. Subject particles (이/가) identify who or what performs the action. This distinction is crucial for writing natural Korean.

Think of it this way: "As for me, I am a student" uses the topic marker. "I am coming" uses the subject marker to show who's performing the action.

Phonetic Rules

The form you use depends on the noun's final sound. If a noun ends in a consonant (called batchim), use 은, 이, or 을. If it ends in a vowel, use 는, 가, or 를.

For example, 사람 (person) ends in a consonant, so: 사람은 (topic) or 사람이 (subject). But 친구 (friend) ends in a vowel, so: 친구는 (topic) or 친구가 (subject).

Common Topic Particle Examples

저는 미국 사람이에요 (jeo-neun) - I am American
이것은 뭐예요? (igeot-eun) - What is this?
저것은 산이에요 (jeogeot-eun) - That over there is a mountain
당신은 누구세요? (dangsin-eun) - Who are you?

Common Subject Particle Examples

책이 있어요 (chaek-i) - There is a book
친구가 와요 (chingu-ga) - My friend is coming
제가 할게요 (je-ga) - I will do it
누가 왔어요? (nu-ga) - Who came?

Pronouns and Demonstratives

Certain pronouns follow consistent patterns. 저는 (jeo-neun, "as for me") is the most common sentence opener. Use 제가 (je-ga) when emphasizing that you're the one doing something.

For demonstratives, 여기가 (yeogi-ga, "here") and 뭐가 (mwo-ga, "what") use irregular subject forms. Notice that 누가 (who) and 뭐가 (what) don't follow the standard consonant/vowel rules.

Special Cases

이름이 (ireum-i, "name") always uses the subject marker in questions like 이름이 뭐예요? (What is your name?). 날씨가 (nalssi-ga, "weather") also takes the subject marker: 날씨가 좋아요 (The weather is nice). These common phrases are worth memorizing as units.

Term	Meaning	Pronunciation	Example
은 (eun)	Topic marker attached to nouns ending in a consonant	eun	사람은 좋아요 (Saram-eun joa-yo), As for the person, they are good
는 (neun)	Topic marker attached to nouns ending in a vowel	neun	저는 학생이에요 (Jeo-neun haksaeng-ieyo), As for me, I am a student
이 (i)	Subject marker attached to nouns ending in a consonant	ee	책이 있어요 (Chaek-i isseoyo), There is a book
가 (ga)	Subject marker attached to nouns ending in a vowel	gah	친구가 와요 (Chingu-ga wayo), My friend is coming
저는	Topic form of 'I' (humble), most common sentence opener	jeo-neun	저는 미국 사람이에요, I am American
제가	Subject form of 'I' (humble) used to emphasize the doer	je-ga	제가 할게요, I will do it
당신은	Formal 'you' with topic marker (used sparingly)	dangsin-eun	당신은 누구세요?, Who are you?
이것은	'This' (near speaker) with topic marker	igeot-eun	이것은 뭐예요?, What is this?
그것이	'That' (near listener) with subject marker	geugeot-i	그것이 맞아요, That is correct
저것은	'That over there' with topic marker	jeogeot-eun	저것은 산이에요, That over there is a mountain
여기가	'Here' with subject marker	yeogi-ga	여기가 우리 집이에요, Here is our house
누가	'Who' as the subject (irregular, not 누구가)	nu-ga	누가 왔어요?, Who came?
뭐가	'What' as the subject	mwo-ga	뭐가 문제예요?, What is the problem?
이름이	'Name' with subject marker, common in introductions	ireum-i	이름이 뭐예요?, What is your name?
날씨가	'Weather' with subject marker	nalssi-ga	날씨가 좋아요, The weather is nice
고양이가	'Cat' with subject marker	goyangi-ga	고양이가 자요, The cat is sleeping

Object Particles eul/reul

What Object Particles Do

Object particles mark the thing directly affected by the action. They show what you're doing something to. In 책을 읽어요 (I read a book), the object particle shows that the book receives the reading action.

Like topic and subject particles, the form depends on whether the noun ends in a consonant or vowel. 을 (eul) attaches to consonants, while 를 (reul) attaches to vowels.

Phonetic Rules

Consonant ending (받침): use 을
Vowel ending: use 를

Examples: 밥을 (rice), 물을 (water), 선물을 (gift), but 영화를 (movie), 커피를 (coffee), 친구를 (friend).

Common Object Particle Examples

밥을 먹어요 (bap-eul) - I eat a meal
물을 주세요 (mul-eul) - Please give me water
영화를 봐요 (yeonghwa-reul) - I watch a movie
한국어를 공부해요 (hangugeo-reul) - I study Korean
음악을 들어요 (eumag-eul) - I listen to music

More Daily Objects

친구를 만나요 (chingu-reul) - I meet a friend
편지를 써요 (pyeonji-reul) - I write a letter
사진을 찍어요 (sajin-eul) - I take a photo
이야기를 해요 (iyagi-reul) - I tell a story

Abstract Objects

Object particles work with abstract nouns too. 숙제를 해요 (I do homework), 전화를 걸어요 (I make a phone call), and 질문을 해요 (I ask a question) all use object particles despite the noun being abstract.

Term	Meaning	Pronunciation	Example
을 (eul)	Object marker attached to nouns ending in a consonant	eul	책을 읽어요 (Chaek-eul ilgeoyo), I read a book
를 (reul)	Object marker attached to nouns ending in a vowel	reul	커피를 마셔요 (Keopi-reul masyeoyo), I drink coffee
밥을	'Rice/meal' as direct object	bap-eul	밥을 먹어요, I eat a meal
물을	'Water' as direct object	mul-eul	물을 주세요, Please give me water
영화를	'Movie' as direct object	yeonghwa-reul	영화를 봐요, I watch a movie
한국어를	'Korean language' as direct object	hangugeo-reul	한국어를 공부해요, I study Korean
음악을	'Music' as direct object	eumag-eul	음악을 들어요, I listen to music
친구를	'Friend' as direct object	chingu-reul	친구를 만나요, I meet a friend
편지를	'Letter' as direct object	pyeonji-reul	편지를 써요, I write a letter
선물을	'Gift' as direct object	seonmul-eul	선물을 받아요, I receive a gift
시간을	'Time' as direct object	sigan-eul	시간을 보내요, I spend time
사진을	'Photo' as direct object	sajin-eul	사진을 찍어요, I take a photo
이야기를	'Story' as direct object	iyagi-reul	이야기를 해요, I tell a story
숙제를	'Homework' as direct object	sukje-reul	숙제를 해요, I do homework
전화를	'Phone call' as direct object	jeonhwa-reul	전화를 걸어요, I make a phone call
질문을	'Question' as direct object	jilmun-eul	질문을 해요, I ask a question

Location and Time Particles, e and eseo

The Key Difference

에 (e) marks static locations, destinations, and points in time. 에서 (eseo) marks where an action actively takes place. This is the most important distinction for using these particles correctly.

Test yourself: does the sentence show movement or a completed state (use 에), or does it show an active action (use 에서)?

Using 에 for Static Locations

집에 있어요 (jib-e) - I am at home (static)
서울에 살아요 (seoul-e) - I live in Seoul (residence)
공원에 가요 (gongwon-e) - I go to the park (destination)
회사에 가요 (hoesa-e) - I go to the company (destination)

Notice 가요 (go) uses 에 because you're identifying the destination, not the place where going happens.

Using 에서 for Active Actions

집에서 일해요 (jib-eseo) - I work at home (active action)
서울에서 왔어요 (seoul-eseo) - I came from Seoul (action of coming)
식당에서 먹어요 (sikdang-eseo) - I eat at the restaurant (active eating)
도서관에서 책을 읽어요 (doseogwan-eseo) - I read books at the library (active reading)

Time Expressions

에 handles all time expressions. 세 시에 (at 3 o'clock), 월요일에 (on Monday), and 아침에 (in the morning) all use 에 because time is a fixed point, not an action location.

Example: 아침에 운동해요 (achim-e) - I exercise in the morning. Even though exercising is an action, the morning is treated as a time reference point, not the place where the action happens.

The 에 vs 에서 Test

For location, ask: "Is this where something exists or a destination (에), or where an action takes place (에서)?"

공원에 있어요 vs 공원에서 뛰어요 (in the park, existing vs running in the park)
회사에 가요 vs 회사에서 일해요 (going to the company vs working at the company)

Term	Meaning	Pronunciation	Example
에 (e)	Marks a location of existence, destination, or point in time	eh	학교에 가요 (Hakgyo-e gayo), I go to school
에서 (eseo)	Marks the location where an action actively happens	eh-suh	학교에서 공부해요 (Hakgyo-eseo gongbu-haeyo), I study at school
집에	'At/to home', static location or destination	jib-e	집에 있어요, I am at home
집에서	'At home', where an action is performed	jib-eseo	집에서 일해요, I work at home
서울에	'To/in Seoul' as destination	seoul-e	서울에 살아요, I live in Seoul
서울에서	'From Seoul' or 'in Seoul' for actions	seoul-eseo	서울에서 왔어요, I came from Seoul
식당에서	'At the restaurant' for eating/activity	sikdang-eseo	식당에서 먹어요, I eat at the restaurant
카페에서	'At the cafe' for meeting/studying	kape-eseo	카페에서 만나요, Let's meet at the cafe
세 시에	'At three o'clock', point in time	se si-e	세 시에 만나요, Let's meet at 3 o'clock
월요일에	'On Monday', day/time marker	woryoil-e	월요일에 가요, I go on Monday
아침에	'In the morning', time of day	achim-e	아침에 운동해요, I exercise in the morning
공원에	'To/at the park', destination or location of being	gongwon-e	공원에 가요, I go to the park
공원에서	'In the park', active location	gongwon-eseo	공원에서 뛰어요, I run in the park
회사에	'To/at the company', destination	hoesa-e	회사에 가요, I go to the company
회사에서	'At the company', where action happens	hoesa-eseo	회사에서 일해요, I work at the company
도서관에서	'At the library', where you study/read	doseogwan-eseo	도서관에서 책을 읽어요, I read books at the library

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 은/는 and 이/가 in Korean?

은/는 are topic markers that introduce what the sentence is about. Use them for general statements, contrasts, and known information. 이/가 are subject markers that identify the specific doer of an action. Use them for new information, emphasis, and answering "who" or "what" questions.

A simple rule: if you can replace the particle with "as for," use 은/는. If you're pointing out a specific actor, use 이/가.

Example: 누가 왔어요? (Who came?) The answer must use 이/가 because you're identifying the subject, not setting a topic. You'd say 친구가 왔어요 (A friend came), not 친구는 왔어요.

How do I know whether to use 은 or 는, 이 or 가, 을 or 를?

The choice depends entirely on the noun's final sound. If the noun ends in a consonant (batchim), use 은, 이, or 을. If it ends in a vowel, use 는, 가, or 를.

Examples: 사람 (person) ends in a consonant (ㅁ), so 사람은 or 사람이. But 친구 (friend) ends in a vowel (ㅜ), so 친구는 or 친구가.

This rule is purely phonetic. It exists to help Korean flow smoothly when spoken. There are no exceptions for these common particles.

When do I use 에 vs 에서?

Use 에 for static locations (where something exists), destinations (where you're going), and points in time. Use 에서 for places where an action actively takes place.

Examples: 집에 있어요 (I'm at home) uses 에 because being is static. But 집에서 공부해요 (I study at home) uses 에서 because studying is an active action.

Simple test: if the verb describes movement or a physical action (eat, study, work, run), use 에서. If the verb is 있다/없다 (exist) or you're naming a destination, use 에.

Can I drop particles in casual Korean conversation?

Yes, in casual spoken Korean, particles like 은/는, 이/가, and 을/를 are often dropped when the meaning is clear from context. Example: 밥 먹었어? (Did you eat?) drops the object particle.

However, beginners should always use particles until you develop a feel for when dropping them sounds natural. Particles are rarely dropped in writing, formal speech, or when the omission creates ambiguity.

Location particles 에 and 에서 are almost never dropped because they carry essential directional meaning that can't be inferred from context.

What are the Korean particles?

Korean particles are small grammatical markers that attach to nouns to show their role in a sentence. The most common particles are topic markers (은/는), subject markers (이/가), object markers (을/를), and location/time markers (에, 에서).

Unlike English, which relies on word order, Korean uses particles to clarify meaning. This allows flexible word order while keeping sentences clear. Learning particles is the single most important step beyond beginner Korean.

Mastering particles requires spaced repetition practice. Study consistently with flashcards to lock these patterns into memory.

What particles to use for Korean gerbs?

For Korean verbs, the particles you use depend on the object or location of the action, not the verb itself. Object particles (을/를) mark what the verb acts on. Example: 책을 읽어요 (I read a book).

Location particles (에, 에서) mark where the action happens. Use 에 for destination (학교에 가요, I go to school) and 에서 for active locations (학교에서 공부해요, I study at school).

The verb itself doesn't determine the particle. The noun receiving the particle determines which form to use based on whether it ends in a consonant or vowel.

How to know when to use 이 or 가?

Use 이 with nouns ending in a consonant and 가 with nouns ending in a vowel. This is a phonetic rule, not a grammar choice.

Examples: 책이 있어요 (chaek-i, book ends in consonant), but 친구가 와요 (chingu-ga, friend ends in vowel).

Once you know which form to use, remember that both 이 and 가 are subject markers. They identify who or what performs the action. Use them in questions like 누가 왔어요? (Who came?) and to answer with the actor's name.

How to know when to use 은 or 는?

Use 은 with nouns ending in a consonant and 는 with nouns ending in a vowel. This is purely phonetic.

Examples: 사람은 좋아요 (person ends in consonant), but 저는 학생이에요 (I ends in vowel).

Once you know the form, remember that both 은 and 는 are topic markers. They introduce what you're talking about, often translated as "as for." Use them to set context before making a statement about that topic.