N+은/는
Topic marker
- I am a student.저
는 학생입니다. - The chameleon's tongue is as fast as lightning.카멜레온 혀
는 번개처럼 빨라요. - Sugar is sweet like candy.설탕
은 사탕처럼 단맛이에요.
Usage
- We add -
는 after a word that ends in a vowel. - We add -
은 after a word that ends with a consonant.
Evocation
The 은/는 particle can also be used to refer to something mentioned earlier in the conversation or to evoke something already known by both sides in the conversation.
Comparison
The 은/는 particle is used to express comparison or contrast. In this case, it can attached to more than just subjects.
-
I like apples. However, I dislike pears.저
는 솨과를 좋아해요. 배는 싫어해요.
Emphasis
The particle 은/는 is also used to emphasize on something.
-
We also have a problem.우리에게도 문제
는 있다.
Formal language
When using formal language, we use the particle
Spoken language
When spoken, the
-
Well, I am not sure.글쎄,
전 잘 모르겠어요.
-
He sometimes acts like a fool.오
빤 가끔 바보처럼 굴거든.
N+이/가 vs N+은/는 vs N+을/를
Mark the subject, who or what is doing the action.
Mark the topic, what the sentence is about. The topic of the conversation.
Mark the object, who or what is being acted upon.
Note that these particles can sometimes be dropped in practice and we assume the audience is smart enough to understand the context.