The particle -은/는 sets the topic of your sentence, acting as a bridge between known information and what you want to say about it.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Used to mark the topic of a sentence.
- Attach -은 after consonants and -는 after vowels.
- Often implies contrast or comparison between items.
개요
'-은/는'은 한국어에서 가장 중요한 문법 요소 중 하나로, 문장 전체의 주제를 설정합니다. 받침이 있으면 '-은', 없으면 '-는'을 사용합니다. 2) 사용 패턴: 명사 뒤에 붙어 '이것은 무엇이다'와 같이 화제를 제시합니다. 대조의 의미를 포함하기도 합니다. 3) 공통 문맥: 자기소개, 사물 묘사, 대조적인 상황 설명 등 일상적인 대화에서 폭넓게 쓰입니다. 4) 유의어 비교: '-이/가'는 새로운 정보나 주어를 강조하는 '주격 조사'인 반면, '-은/는'은 이미 알고 있는 정보나 화제를 제시하는 '보조사'입니다.
Examples
저는 한국 사람이에요.
everydayI am a Korean.
사과는 맛있어요.
formalApples are delicious.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
이름이 무엇입니까?
What is your name?
Often Confused With
Used for marking the subject of a sentence or introducing new information. -은/는 is for established topics.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The particle -은/는 is essential for natural-sounding Korean. It works across all registers, from informal to formal speech. Master the distinction between topic and subject for fluency.
Common Mistakes
Students often overuse -은/는 when -이/가 is required. It is also common to forget the consonant/vowel rule for attachment. Practice identifying the topic versus the subject.
Tips
Think of it as 'as for'
When you use -은/는, imagine you are saying 'As for this, here is the information.' It helps identify the topic clearly.
Don't confuse with subject markers
Beginners often mix up -은/는 and -이/가. Remember that -은/는 is for topics, while -이/가 is for specific subjects.
Context is everything in Korean
Korean culture values context. Using -은/는 correctly shows you understand the flow of conversation.
Word Origin
These are native Korean particles that have evolved to function as topic markers. They have been used since Middle Korean to structure sentences.
Cultural Context
Korean is a high-context language. Using particles correctly helps navigate social hierarchies and clarify information flow.
Memory Tip
Think of '은/는' as a spotlight. It shines light on what you are talking about.
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questions받침이 있는 명사 뒤에는 '-은'을 쓰고, 받침이 없는 명사 뒤에는 '-는'을 씁니다. 예를 들어 '학생'은 '학생은', '사과'는 '사과는'이 됩니다.
'-은/는'은 화제를 나타내며 대조의 의미를 가질 수 있습니다. 반면 '-이/가'는 새로운 정보를 강조하거나 주어를 명확히 할 때 사용합니다.
반드시 써야 하는 것은 아닙니다. 문맥에 따라 생략되기도 하며, 강조하고 싶은 대상이 무엇인지에 따라 조사를 선택합니다.
Test Yourself
저는 학생___.
저(받침 없음) + 는 = 저는
Score: /1
Summary
The particle -은/는 sets the topic of your sentence, acting as a bridge between known information and what you want to say about it.
- Used to mark the topic of a sentence.
- Attach -은 after consonants and -는 after vowels.
- Often implies contrast or comparison between items.
Think of it as 'as for'
When you use -은/는, imagine you are saying 'As for this, here is the information.' It helps identify the topic clearly.
Don't confuse with subject markers
Beginners often mix up -은/는 and -이/가. Remember that -은/는 is for topics, while -이/가 is for specific subjects.
Context is everything in Korean
Korean culture values context. Using -은/는 correctly shows you understand the flow of conversation.
Examples
2 of 2저는 한국 사람이에요.
I am a Korean.
사과는 맛있어요.
Apples are delicious.
Related Content
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
More general words
대해
A2About, concerning.
~에 대해서
A2Concerning or regarding a particular subject; about.
정도
A2An approximate amount or degree.
위에
A1on top of
절대적
B2Being unconditional, unlimited, or not relative to anything else. It describes something that is certain, total, or supreme without comparison.
절대로
A2Never, absolutely not.
우연적이다
B2To be accidental or coincidental; happening by chance.
우연히
B1By chance, accidentally, or unexpectedly. Often used in TOEFL listening narratives or history passages about accidental discoveries.
데리다
A1To take (a person); to pick up.
따라
A2Along, according to.
