Part 3 - Particles
Part 3.1 - 은 / 는 — Topic Particle
Basic Information
은 / 는 marks the **topic** of the sentence — what the sentence is about.
It is often used to introduce or contrast information.
Grammar Rule
- Noun + 은 → when noun ends with a consonant
- Noun + 는 → when noun ends with a vowel
Example Sentences
| Korean | English |
|---|
| 저는 학생이에요. | I am a student. |
| 이것은 책이에요. | This is a book. |
| 오늘은 일요일이에요. | Today is Sunday. |
Important Notes
- Used to highlight the **topic** or provide contrast.
- Often used to introduce a new topic.
Summary
은 / 는 is a topic particle that helps frame what the sentence is about.
Common TOPIK I Patterns
- 저는 Noun 이에요/예요. → I am (Noun).
- 오늘은 Noun 이에요/예요. → Today is (Noun).
End of Lesson
Use 은/는 to smoothly introduce or contrast topics in Korean sentences!
Part 3.2 - 이 / 가 — Subject Particle
Basic Information
이 / 가 marks the **subject** of the sentence — who or what is doing the action.
Grammar Rule
- Noun + 이 → when noun ends with a consonant
- Noun + 가 → when noun ends with a vowel
Example Sentences
| Korean | English |
|---|
| 학생이 공부해요. | The student studies. |
| 물이 있어요. | There is water. |
| 고양이가 귀여워요. | The cat is cute. |
Important Notes
- Marks the **subject** clearly.
- Often used when emphasizing the subject.
Summary
Use 이/가 to clearly indicate who or what is performing an action.
Common TOPIK I Patterns
- Noun + 이/가 있어요. → There is (Noun).
- Noun + 이/가 Verb. → (Noun) does (Verb).
End of Lesson
Mastering 이/가 helps you create clear and natural Korean sentences!
Part 3.3 - 을 / 를 — Object Particle
Basic Information
을 / 를 marks the **object** of the sentence — the thing that the action is being done to.
Grammar Rule
- Noun + 을 → when noun ends with a consonant
- Noun + 를 → when noun ends with a vowel
Example Sentences
| Korean | English |
|---|
| 책을 읽어요. | I read a book. |
| 물을 마셔요. | I drink water. |
| 영화를 봐요. | I watch a movie. |
Important Notes
- Marks the **object** in the sentence.
- Essential for many action sentences.
Summary
Use 을/를 to clearly indicate what the action is being done to.
Common TOPIK I Patterns
- Noun + 을/를 Verb. → (Verb) (Noun).
End of Lesson
Understanding 을/를 will help you make more complete Korean sentences!
Part 3.4 - 에 — Time/Place Particle
Basic Information
에 is used to indicate **time** or **place** — it can mean "at," "to," or "on."
Grammar Rule
- Use with **time** → expressing when something happens.
- Use with **place** → expressing destination or location.
Example Sentences
| Korean | English |
|---|
| 학교에 가요. | I go to school. |
| 월요일에 만나요. | I meet on Monday. |
| 집에 있어요. | I am at home. |
Important Notes
- Very common in time and place expressions.
- One of the first particles you will use!
Summary
에 marks **time** or **place** in the sentence.
Common TOPIK I Patterns
- Place + 에 가요. → Go to (place).
- Time + 에 Verb. → Verb at (time).
End of Lesson
에 is super useful for both beginners and advanced learners — practice it often!
Part 3.5 - 에서 — Place Particle (for Actions)
Basic Information
에서 indicates where an **action** takes place. It can also mean **from** when used with movement verbs.
Grammar Rule
- Place + 에서 + Action Verb → doing something **at/in** that place.
- Place + 에서 + Movement Verb → **from** that place.
Example Sentences
| Korean | English |
|---|
| 학교에서 공부해요. | I study at school. |
| 카페에서 만나요. | I meet (someone) at a cafe. |
| 서울에서 왔어요. | I came from Seoul. |
Important Notes
- Emphasizes the **place** where an action happens.
- Also expresses **origin** (coming from).
Summary
에서 marks **where an action happens** or where someone is **coming from**.
Common TOPIK I Patterns
- Place + 에서 + Action Verb. → Do (Verb) at (Place).
- Place + 에서 왔어요. → Came from (Place).
End of Lesson
에서 is very useful when talking about places and actions. Practice it with common verbs!
Part 3.6 - 에서 ~까지 — From Place to Place (Location)
Basic Information
에서 ~까지 is used to express moving **from one place to another**.
Grammar Rule
- Place A + 에서 + Place B + 까지 → from (Place A) to (Place B)
Example Sentences
| Korean | English |
|---|
| 집에서 학교까지 걸어요. | I walk from home to school. |
| 서울에서 부산까지 가요. | I go from Seoul to Busan. |
| 회사에서 집까지 버스로 가요. | I go from work to home by bus. |
Important Notes
- Used for **movement between places**.
- 까지만 (까지 alone) means **until**.
Summary
에서 ~까지 expresses **from (place) to (place)** — very useful in giving directions!
Common TOPIK I Patterns
- Place A 에서 Place B 까지 가요. → Go from A to B.
End of Lesson
Now you can easily describe going from one place to another with 에서 ~까지!
Part 3.7 - 부터 ~까지 — From Time to Time (Duration)
Basic Information
부터 ~까지 is used to express **duration** → from (time A) to (time B).
Grammar Rule
- Time A + 부터 + Time B + 까지 → from (time A) to (time B)
Example Sentences
| Korean | English |
|---|
| 아침 9시부터 오후 5시까지 일해요. | I work from 9 AM to 5 PM. |
| 월요일부터 금요일까지 학교에 가요. | I go to school from Monday to Friday. |
| 지금부터 시작해요. | I start from now. |
Important Notes
- Use with **time** or **date** expressions.
- 부터 → "from"; 까지 → "to" or "until."
Summary
Use 부터 ~까지 to describe **time durations** clearly and naturally.
Common TOPIK I Patterns
- Time A 부터 Time B 까지 Verb. → Do (Verb) from (Time A) to (Time B).
End of Lesson
부터 ~까지 is essential when describing schedules or time periods — practice it often!
Part 3.8 - 도 — Also, Too
Basic Information
도 means **also**, **too**, or **as well** — it adds meaning like "me too," "this too," etc.
Grammar Rule
- Noun + 도 → (Noun) also / too
- Verb phrase + 도 → (Verb) too / also happens
Example Sentences
| Korean | English |
|---|
| 저도 학생이에요. | I am a student too. |
| 물도 마셔요. | I drink water too. |
| 친구도 가요. | The friend is going too. |
Important Notes
- Very flexible — can attach to many elements.
- Often replaces 은/는, 이/가, or 을/를.
Summary
도 adds the meaning of **also** or **too** to your sentence.
Common TOPIK I Patterns
- 저도 Verb. → I also do (Verb).
- Noun 도 Verb. → (Noun) also does (Verb).
End of Lesson
도 makes your conversation sound more natural when talking about shared actions or characteristics!
Part 3.9 - 만 — Only
Basic Information
만 means **only** — it is used to limit or specify something.
Grammar Rule
- Noun + 만 → Only (Noun)
- Verb phrase + 만 → Only (Verb) happens
Example Sentences
| Korean | English |
|---|
| 물만 마셔요. | I only drink water. |
| 저만 알아요. | Only I know. |
| 책만 읽어요. | I only read books. |
Important Notes
- Emphasizes **limitation** or **restriction**.
- Replaces topic/subject/object particles.
Summary
만 helps you express the idea of "only" in Korean clearly and naturally.
Common TOPIK I Patterns
- Noun 만 Verb. → Only (Noun) does (Verb).
End of Lesson
Use 만 to express limits or emphasize "only" — very useful in conversation!
Part 3.10 - 하고 / 와 / 과 — And, With (Nouns)
Basic Information
하고, 와, and 과 all mean **and** or **with** when used with **nouns**. They connect two or more nouns.
- **하고** → most common and versatile (used in both speech and writing).
- **와 / 과** → more formal, often used in writing.
Grammar Rule
- Noun + 하고 + Noun → Noun and Noun
- Noun + 와 + Noun → used if the first noun ends with a **vowel**.
- Noun + 과 + Noun → used if the first noun ends with a **consonant**.
- Also means **with (someone)** when used with a person.
Example Sentences
| Korean | English |
|---|
| 사과하고 바나나를 샀어요. | I bought apples and bananas. |
| 엄마하고 시장에 갔어요. | I went to the market with my mom. |
| 친구와 영화 봐요. | I watch a movie with my friend. |
| 선생님과 이야기해요. | I talk with the teacher. |
Important Notes
- 하고 is the most commonly used in everyday conversation.
- 와 / 과 sound slightly more formal or written.
- When used with people → means **with** (together).
Summary
Use 하고, 와, and 과 to connect nouns or to say "**with**" someone. 하고 works well in most situations.
Common TOPIK I Patterns
- Noun 하고 Noun + Verb → (Verb) Noun and Noun.
- Person 하고 + Verb → (Verb) with Person.
End of Lesson
Now you can connect nouns and say who you are with! 하고 is super useful in daily speech!
Part 3.11 - (이)랑 — And, With (Casual, Spoken)
Basic Information
(이)랑 is a very **casual** and **spoken** version of 하고 / 와 / 과. It is commonly used in friendly conversations, especially with people you know well.
Grammar Rule
- Noun + 이랑 + Noun → Noun and Noun (when first noun ends with a **consonant**)
- Noun + 랑 + Noun → Noun and Noun (when first noun ends with a **vowel**)
- Also used to mean **with (someone)**.
Example Sentences
| Korean | English |
|---|
| 빵이랑 우유를 먹어요. | I eat bread and milk. |
| 친구랑 놀아요. | I play with my friend. |
| 강아지랑 산책해요. | I take a walk with my dog. |
| 언니랑 같이 갔어요. | I went together with my older sister. |
Important Notes
- (이)랑 is very **casual** → do not use in formal settings.
- It means both **and** and **with**.
- In writing or formal situations, use 하고 / 와 / 과 instead.
Summary
(이)랑 is a friendly, casual way to say "**and**" or "**with**" when talking with friends or family.
Common TOPIK I Patterns
- Noun (이)랑 Noun + Verb → (Verb) Noun and Noun.
- Person (이)랑 + Verb → (Verb) with Person.
End of Lesson
(이)랑 is great for everyday casual talk. Try using it with your friends!
