🧩 Understanding Korean Particles: 은/는, 이/가, 을/를 Explained
✏️ Understanding Korean Particles 은/는, 이/가, 을/를 (Beginner Korean · TOPIK 1–2)
If you’ve started learning Korean, you’ve probably met these tiny but powerful words: 은/는, 이/가, and 을/를. They’re called 조사 (particles), and they attach to nouns like glue to show each word’s role in the sentence. 🧷 In this lesson, you’ll finally see how they work — without feeling overwhelmed! Master 은/는, 이/가, 을/를 with simple rules and real examples — perfect for beginners and TOPIK I
🎯 Learning Goal
- Understand what 은/는, 이/가, 을/를 do in a sentence.
- Learn when to choose each particle with easy rules.
- Practice with beginner-friendly examples and a short dialogue.
📚 Table of Contents
1️⃣ What Are Korean Particles?
Particles (조사) are small words that attach to the end of nouns. They never stand alone, but they tell you things like:
- Who is doing the action (subject)
- What the topic is (topic)
- What is receiving the action (object)
You can think of particles as labels that keep the sentence clear, even if the word order changes.
2️⃣ 은/는 – The Topic Particle
은/는 is used to introduce or highlight the topic of a sentence – what you’re talking about.
- 은 – after a consonant (책은, 집은)
- 는 – after a vowel (학교는, 저는)
Basic Examples
-
저는 학생이에요.
jeo-neun hak-saeng-i-e-yo
→ As for me, I’m a student. -
이 음식은 맛있어요.
i eum-si-geun ma-si-sseo-yo
→ This food, it’s delicious.
📌 Tip: 은/는 often shows contrast or makes a general statement.
예) 오늘은 비가 와요. (Today it’s raining – but maybe not yesterday.)
3️⃣ 이/가 – The Subject Particle
이/가 marks the subject – the person or thing that does the action or exists.
- 이 – after a consonant (책이, 집이)
- 가 – after a vowel (학교가, 고양이가)
Basic Examples
-
고양이가 귀여워요.
go-yang-i-ga gwi-yeo-wo-yo
→ The cat is cute. -
친구가 왔어요.
chin-gu-ga wa-sseo-yo
→ A friend came.
📌 Tip: 이/가 often puts focus on new or important information.
누가 했어요? → 제가 했어요!
(Who did it? → I did it!)
4️⃣ 을/를 – The Object Particle
을/를 marks the object – the thing that receives the action.
- 을 – after a consonant (밥을, 책을)
- 를 – after a vowel (커피를, 영화를)
Basic Examples
-
밥을 먹어요.
bap-eul meo-geo-yo
→ I eat rice. -
영화를 봐요.
yeong-hwa-reul bwa-yo
→ I watch a movie. -
저는 커피를 마셔요.
jeo-neun keo-pi-reul ma-syeo-yo
→ I drink coffee.
5️⃣ 은/는 vs 이/가 – What’s the Difference?
Sometimes both seem possible. Look at this pair:
| Sentence | Meaning / Emphasis |
|---|---|
| 고양이는 귀여워요. | As for the cat, it’s cute. (general / contrast) |
| 고양이가 귀여워요. | The cat is cute. (this is the one that’s cute) |
✅ Use 은/는 for topics, contrast, or general facts.
✅ Use 이/가 when you want to focus on the subject or give new information.
🔗 Want more practice with location particles too? Check out your next step: Difference Between ~에 and ~에서 in Korean
6️⃣ Practice Sentences & Dialogue
Practice Sentences
-
저는 한국어를 공부해요.
jeo-neun han-gu-geo-reul gong-bu-hae-yo
→ I study Korean. -
친구가 선물을 줘요.
chin-gu-ga seon-mu-reul jwoyo
→ My friend gives me a present. -
오늘은 날씨가 좋아요.
o-neu-reun nal-ssi-ga jo-a-yo
→ Today, the weather is nice.
🙋 Practice Dialogue
A: 오늘은 뭐 해요?
o-neu-reun mwo hae-yo?
What are you doing today?
B: 저는 친구를 만나요.
jeo-neun chin-gu-reul man-na-yo
I’m meeting a friend.
A: 친구가 한국 사람이에요?
chin-gu-ga han-guk sa-ra-mi-e-yo?
Is your friend Korean?
B: 네, 친구는 한국 사람이에요.
ne, chin-gu-neun han-guk sa-ra-mi-e-yo
Yes, as for my friend, (he/she) is Korean.
7️⃣ Quick Check Quiz
Fill in the blanks with 은/는, 이/가, or 을/를.
- 저___ 학생이에요.
- 민수___ 커피___ 마셔요.
- 오늘___ 날씨___ 어때요?
- 고양이___ 밥___ 먹어요.
✅ Show Answers
1) 저는
2) 민수가 / 커피를
3) 오늘은 / 날씨가
4) 고양이가 / 밥을
8️⃣ Did You Know?
Many Korean kids also struggle with particles when they first learn to write! Teachers often make them circle 은/는, 이/가, 을/를 in sentences to check usage — just like foreign learners.
So if particles feel tricky, you’re not alone. They are a natural “wall” in Korean… but once you pass this wall, reading and listening becomes much easier.
9️⃣ Learn More & Practice with Me
Still unsure when to use 은/는, 이/가, 을/를? Let’s practice together with your own sentences, diary, or K-drama lines.
👉 Book a 1:1 Korean lesson with me on italki and get real-time feedback on your particles and pronunciation.
🚫 Common Mistakes (TOPIK 1–2 Learners)
❌ 1. Using 은/는, 이/가, 을/를 randomly
➤ Many beginners think all particles mean “the same.”
(하지만 각각 역할이 달라요 — topic, subject, object)
❌ 2. Forgetting 을/를 completely
➤ In casual speech, people sometimes skip it — but for students and TOPIK, it is necessary.
(말할 때는 생략되기도 하지만 시험에서는 꼭 필요!)
❌ 3. 은/는 = subject, 이/가 = topic (wrong)
➤ 은/는 = topic of the sentence / 이/가 = who does the action
(둘 다 주어처럼 보이지만 강조점이 달라요)
❌ 4. Thinking one particle is “more polite” than another
➤ Particles do NOT change politeness — the verb ending does.
(조사는 공손함과 상관 없어요 — “요/니다”가 공손함을 결정)
💡 Quick relief:
If you are unsure → use 은/는 first.
It is always safe for beginners.
❓ FAQ for Beginners
Q1. Which one should I learn first?
A1. 은/는. It works in most situations and is beginner-friendly.
(처음에는 은/는을 쓰면 안전해요)
Q2. Can I mix 은/는 and 이/가 in the same sentence?
A2. Yes! Many natural sentences use both.
(둘 다 함께 쓰는 문장이 많아요 — 괜찮아요)
Q3. What about speech? Native speakers drop particles sometimes.
A3. True — but for learners and tests, DO NOT drop them.
(원어민은 줄이지만 학생/시험에서는 줄이면 안 돼요)
Q4. Do particles make my Korean more polite?
A4. No. Politeness comes from endings like “요” and “~습니다.”
Q5. Which particle is the hardest for beginners?
A5. 은/는 vs 이/가 — don’t worry, it gets easier with practice.
🌐 Trusted Learning Resources (External)
더 깊이 연습하고 싶은 학생을 위해 검증된 외부 학습 리소스를 소개합니다:
- HowToStudyKorean – Korean particles overview
- Talk To Me In Korean – Beginner Grammar Series
- 국립국어원 표준국어대사전 – 공식 문법 기준
- YouTube: Korean Particles Explained (for beginners)
🔍 외부 학습을 할 때는 반드시 한국어 예문 + 영어 해석이 함께 제공되는 자료가 가장 효율적입니다.
💬 Stay connected for new updates:
- 🔖 Bookmark this lesson so you can review the particles anytime.
- 📤 Share it with a friend who is also learning Korean.
- 💬 Leave a comment using 은/는, 이/가, 을/를 — I’ll check it for you!
