Korean Particles

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This graphic is only a brief and simple explanation of the particles. There are a lot more nuances about when and how to use them that can’t be covered in one graphic. Check out How to Study Korean for a more detailed explanation of them. They cover them very well.

Particles in this graphic:

은/는 (eun/neun) 

Topic or subject marking particle. 은 is used following a consonant, while 는 is used following a vowel.

이/가 (i/ga)

Identifier/subject particle. 이 is used following a consonant while 가 is used following a vowel.

도 (do)

Used as an additive particle. Equivalent to “too” or “also”.

을/를 (eul/reul)

An object marking particle (attached to an object a verb describes). 을 is used after a consonant while 를 is used after a vowel.

어게/한테/께 (eo-ge/han-te/kke)

A dative particle. Used when you are giving or receiving something from someone. 께 is honorific, 어께 is formal, and 한테 is informal.

으로/로 (eu-ro/ro)

Used to describe a method or way of doing something. 으로 is used following a consonant other than “ㄹ”. 로 is used after a vowel or after “ㄹ”.

에/에서 (e/e-seo)

Time and location marking particle. 에서 is used as “from” and “to”. 에서 can also be used as “in” or “at” if the verb is not motion-related. This particle is frequently used with the verb 있다.

부터/까지 (bu-teo/gga-ji)

Used as “from” and “to”. Specifically as to when something starts and finishes.

들 (deul)

Plural marker. Usually only attached to person nouns and not objects. Attaching this to objects sounds awkward.

만 (man)

Means “only” and is used after nouns.

의 (ui)

Possesive marker

과/와/랑/이랑 (gwa/wa/rang/i-rang)

Used to express “with”, “and”, or “as with”. 과/이랑 are used after a consonant and 와/랑 are used after a vowel. 랑 & 이랑 are more informal and are mainly used in speech.

Whether you want to understand basic words in K-pop or K-dramas, impress your Korean friends, or simply deepen your connection to the Korean culture, the Korean Language Starter Pack ensures that you quickly learn and retain the most commonly used Korean words and phrases today. Click here to learn more.