Korean has tiny power words called particles. They attach to nouns to show who does the action, what receives it, and where it happens. Today, you’ll learn the most common ones for daily life — and practice them right away so they stick.

What are particles?

Particles are short endings that attach to nouns. They don’t stand alone; they follow the word they describe.

Think of them like labels:

• 은/는: topic marker (what we’re talking about)
• 이/가: subject marker (who/what does or is)
• 을/를: object marker (what you do something to)
• 에/에서: place markers (to/at, and at/in for actions)

You’ll see them a lot in simple sentences. Let’s go step by step.

Topic vs Subject: 은/는 and 이/가

• 은/는 marks the topic — the general thing we’re talking about. It often sets the scene.
• 이/가 marks the grammatical subject — the doer or the thing being described.

At A1, don’t worry too much about nuance. Use 은/는 to introduce topics like “As for me…,” and use 이/가 in simple descriptions and sentences where you point out the subject.

Object particle: 을/를

Use 을/를 to mark what you act on — the thing you read, watch, eat, etc.

• 책을 읽어요. I read a book.
• 영화를 봐요. I watch a movie.

Remember: 을 after consonants, 를 after vowels.

영화 봐요.

Place particles: 에 vs 에서

These two are super useful.

• 에: to (destination), at (existence/location)
• 에서: at/in (place of action)

Examples:

• 학교에 가요. I go to school.
• 집에 있어요. I’m at home.
• 도서관에서 공부해요. I study at the library.
• 공원에서 운동해요. I exercise at the park.

학교 있어요.

도서관 공부해요.

Bonus helpers: 와/과, 하고 (and/with), and 도 (also)

• 와/과: “and/with.” Use 와 after a vowel, 과 after a consonant.
• 하고: also “and/with,” very common in speech, works after any noun.
• 도: “also/too.” It replaces other particles.

Examples:

• 친구와 커피를 마셔요. I drink coffee with a friend.
• 빵과 우유를 사요. I buy bread and milk.
• 친구하고 영화(를) 봐요. I watch a movie with a friend. (Object particle 를 is often kept, but may be dropped in casual speech.)
• 사과도 맛있어요. Apples are also tasty.

저 는 학생이에요. → 저는 학생이에요. Particles attach to the preceding word without a space. 도서관에 공부해요. → 도서관에서 공부해요. Use 에서 for the place where an action happens. 학교가 가요. → 학교에 가요. Use 에 to mark destination; 가 cannot mark destinations.

Quick practice: pick the marker

Try a few more to boost muscle memory.

저 한국 사람이에요.

사과 맛있어요.

Polite endings

You’ll see verbs ending with -요 here (가요, 있어요, 공부해요). That makes your speech polite and friendly — perfect for most situations.

Summary

• 은/는: topic (나는, 저는)
• 이/가: subject (사과가, 제가)
• 을/를: object (책을, 영화를)
• 에: to/at (destination or existence) (학교에, 집에)
• 에서: at/in (place of action) (도서관에서)
• 와/과, 하고: and/with
• 도: also

Keep your sentences simple: Subject + Place + Object + Verb is a friendly starting point. Example: 저는 집에서 영화를 봐요.

Final practice

Say these out loud:

• 저는 집에 있어요.
• 친구와 공원에서 운동해요.
• 오늘 한국어를 공부해요.

You got this! These tiny particles unlock clear, natural Korean. Keep practicing them in short, everyday sentences.