Beginner • • 15 min read

Korean Particles: The Complete Guide to Using Particles

Master Korean particles with this comprehensive guide. Learn how to use topic markers, subject markers, object markers, and other essential particles in Korean grammar.

Understanding Korean Particles

Korean particles (조사) are essential grammatical markers that:

  • Show the role of words in a sentence
  • Indicate relationships between words
  • Add specific meanings or nuances
  • Help create grammatically correct sentences

Basic Particles

Topic Marker (은/는)

Used to mark the topic of a sentence:

저는 학생이에요 (I am a student)
한국은 아름다워요 (Korea is beautiful)

Rules:

  • Use 는 after vowels
  • Use 은 after consonants

Subject Marker (이/가)

Marks the subject performing the action:

비가 와요 (It's raining)
친구가 왔어요 (A friend came)

Rules:

  • Use 가 after vowels
  • Use 이 after consonants

Topic vs Subject Marker Practice

1. Complete: '저___ 한국 사람이에요'

2. Which particle for '학생___ 공부해요'?

3. When do you use '은' vs '는'?

Object Markers

Direct Object (을/를)

Marks the object receiving the action:

책을 읽어요 (I read a book)
음악을 들어요 (I listen to music)

Rules:

  • Use 를 after vowels
  • Use 을 after consonants

Indirect Object (에게/한테)

Marks the recipient of an action:

친구에게 선물을 줬어요 (I gave a gift to my friend)
선생님한테 질문했어요 (I asked the teacher a question)

Object Marker Practice

1. Complete: '커피___ 마셔요'

2. How do you say 'give to mother'?

3. Choose the correct object marker: '책___ 읽어요'

Location Particles

Place Marker (에)

Indicates location or destination:

학교에 가요 (I go to school)
집에 있어요 (I am at home)

Direction (으로/로)

Shows direction or means:

버스로 가요 (I go by bus)
왼쪽으로 가세요 (Go to the left)

From/Since (부터)

Indicates starting point:

아침부터 공부했어요 (I studied since morning)
서울부터 부산까지 (From Seoul to Busan)

Location Particle Practice

1. How do you say 'go to school'?

2. Express 'by subway'

3. Complete: '집___ 학교___ 걸어요'

Possession and Connection

Possessive (의)

Shows possession or relationship:

저의 책 (my book)
한국의 문화 (Korean culture)

And/With (와/과)

Connects nouns:

커피와 차 (coffee and tea)
친구와 함께 (together with friend)

Special Particles

Only (만)

Indicates exclusivity:

저만 알아요 (Only I know)
물만 마셔요 (I only drink water)

Also/Too (도)

Adds inclusion:

저도 학생이에요 (I am also a student)
비도 와요 (It's also raining)

Special Particle Practice

1. How do you say 'only coffee'?

2. Express 'I also like it'

3. Complete: '한국어___ 영어___ 할 수 있어요'

Common Combinations

Multiple Particles

Particles can be combined:

저한테만 (only to me)
친구에게도 (to friend also)
학교에서부터 (from school)

Question Particles

Used in questions:

이게 뭐예요? (What is this?)
어디에 가요? (Where are you going?)
누구랑 가요? (Who are you going with?)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Topic vs. Subject Confusion

    • 은/는 for general statements or contrasts
    • 이/가 for specific or new information

  2. Particle Omission

    • Some particles can be omitted in casual speech
    • But maintain them in formal situations

  3. Overcomplicating Combinations

    • Keep particle combinations simple
    • Don’t stack more than necessary

Comprehensive Particle Practice

1. Choose the correct particle: '저___ 학생___ 아니에요'

2. How do you say 'only with friends'?

3. Complete: '어머니___ 선물___ 드렸어요'

4. Which is correct?

Next Steps

To master Korean particles:

  1. Practice with basic particles first
  2. Learn common combinations
  3. Study particle nuances
  4. Listen for particle usage in natural speech

Remember: Particles are crucial for correct Korean grammar. Focus on understanding their basic functions before moving to more complex uses.