N+이/가

Usage

• The particle 이 is used in front of words ending in a consonant.
• The particle 가 is used in front of words ending in a vowel.

Emphasis

The particle N+이/가 can also be used to emphasize the preceding subject.

• 제가 할게요.

  I will do it.

New topic

N+이/가 is used to introduce a new theme, change it or add new information.

• 옛날 어느 마을에 착한 농부가 살았다. 농부는 아직 결혼하지 않고 혼자 살았다.

  Once upon a time, in a village, there lived a kind farmer. The farmer was still unmarried and lived alone.

Phonetic transformation

When the particle 가 is combined with 나, 너, 저, 누구 or 무엇 a phonetic transformation takes place.

• 나 + 가 becomes 내가
• 너 + 가 becomes 네가
• 저 + 가 becomes 제가
• 누구 + 가 becomes 누가
• 무엇 + 가 becomes 뭐가

Honorific language

In honorific language, N+이/가 (Subject Marker) is replaced by N+께서 (Subject marker).

Note that these particles can sometimes be dropped in practice and we assume the audience is smart enough to understand the context.

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