🟢 Using Particles -은/는, -이/가, -을/를 (+만, 도) | Beginner Level (TOPIK 1–2)
.jpg "Using Particles 은/는, 이/가, 을/를 (+만, 도) | Beginner Level (TOPIK 1–2)")
Have you ever mixed up 은/는 and 이/가 during a TOPIK test or daily conversation?
This guide breaks down topic, subject, and object markers in Korean grammar, explains common mistakes, and shows how 만 and 도 shift the nuance. Perfect for TOPIK 1–2 learners!
🎯 Learning Goals
- Understand topic (은/는), subject (이/가), and object (을/를) particles.
- Spot and fix the most common beginner mistakes.
- Use focus particles 만 (“only”), 도 (“also/too”) correctly.
📚 What These Particles Do
- -은/는 (topic): sets the topic or contrast.
- -이/가 (subject): marks the grammatical subject (new info).
- -을/를 (object): marks the object (what you eat/read/like).
⚠️ Common Beginner Mistakes
Mistake A — Using 은/는 instead of 을/를
❌ 저는 사과 좋아해요 → ✔ 저는 사과를 좋아해요.
Mistake B — Always using 이/가 for given info
❌ 오늘 날씨가 어때요? → ✔ 오늘은 날씨가 어때요?
Mistake C — Dropping object markers in formal/test
❌ 저는 책 읽어요 → ✔ 저는 책을 읽어요.
Mistake D — 받침 rule errors
❌ 밥를 먹어요 → ✔ 밥을 먹어요.
🔄 How “만” (only) & “도” (also) Change Meaning
만 = “only” → 저는 커피만 마셔요.
도 = “also/too” → 친구도 와요.
Tip: Don’t double-stack (❌ 사과를만 → ✔ 사과만).
🙋 Practice Dialogue
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| A: 오늘은 뭐 먹어요? | o-neul-eun mwo meo-geo-yo? | What do we eat today? |
| B: 저는 김밥을 먹어요. | jeo-neun gim-bap-eul meo-geo-yo | I eat gimbap. |
| A: 누가 김밥 만들었어요? | nu-ga gim-bap man-deu-reo-sseo-yo? | Who made the gimbap? |
| B: 친구가 만들었어요. | chin-gu-ga man-deu-reo-sseo-yo | My friend made it. |
| A: 음료수도 있어요? | eum-ryo-su-do i-sseo-yo? | Do we also have drinks? |
| B: 물만 있어요. | mul-man i-sseo-yo | We only have water. |
| A: 저는 라면을 좋아해요. | jeo-neun ra-myeon-eul jo-a-hae-yo | I like ramyeon. |
| B: 저는 김밥도 좋아해요. | jeo-neun gim-bap-do jo-a-hae-yo | I also like gimbap. |
| A: 오늘 점심은 학교 식당에서 먹어요. | o-neul jeom-sim-eun hak-gyo sik-dang-e-seo meo-geo-yo | As for today’s lunch, we eat at the cafeteria. |
| B: 좋아요! | jo-a-yo | Sounds good! |
📝 Pop Quiz
- 저는 커피__ 마셔요 →
Show Answer
커피를 - 오늘__ 날씨__ 좋아요 →
오늘은 날씨가
- “I eat only rice.” →
저는 밥만 먹어요.
❓ FAQ
Q: What is the difference between 은/는 and 이/가?
A: 은/는 marks the topic/contrast, 이/가 marks the subject/new info.
Q: Do I need object markers in conversation?
A: In casual speech they’re sometimes dropped, but in tests or writing always use 을/를.
Q: How do 만 and 도 work with particles?
A: They replace other markers. Use 사과만 / 사과도, not 사과를만.
📌 Did You Know?
There are 200+ kimchi varieties in Korea, and the communal winter preparation gimjang was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2013.
💭 Final Thoughts
Particles are small but powerful. Practice short sentences daily and focus on context—your Korean will improve quickly!
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