Korean particles (조사) are the key to Korean grammar. This guide explains subject, object, topic and location particles with clear examples of each.
If you have ever felt confused by Korean sentence structure, particles are the answer. Korean particles (조사, josa) are small grammatical markers attached directly to nouns to show their role in a sentence — subject, object, location, direction, and more.
Unlike English which uses word order (I → verb → object), Korean uses particles. This means Koreans can rearrange words freely and still be understood — the particles carry the meaning.
Marks WHO or WHAT is doing the action.
Example: 친구가 와요. (My friend is coming.)
Marks the topic of the sentence — often translated as "as for..." or "speaking of..."
Example: 저는 한국어를 배워요. (As for me, I am learning Korean.)
이/가 vs 은/는: This is one of the most asked questions in Korean. Use 이/가 for new information or emphasis. Use 은/는 for known topics, contrast, or general statements.
Marks the DIRECT OBJECT — what receives the action.
Example: 커피를 마셔요. (I drink coffee.)
Both mean "at/in" but work differently:
Examples:
| Particle | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 와/과 | and (with nouns) | 사과와 바나나 (apple and banana) |
| 하고 | and / with | 친구하고 가요 (go with a friend) |
| 도 | also, too | 저도요 (me too) |
| 만 | only | 물만 마셔요 (I only drink water) |
| 부터 | from (time/place) | 지금부터 (from now) |
| 까지 | until / to | 서울까지 (to Seoul) |
| 에게/한테 | to (a person) | 친구한테 줘요 (give to a friend) |
| (으)로 | by / with / direction | 버스로 가요 (go by bus) |
❌ Wrong: 저이 한국어 공부해요. ✅ Right: 저는 한국어를 공부해요. (I study Korean.)
❌ Wrong: 카페에 공부해요. ✅ Right: 카페에서 공부해요. (I study at the café.)
Fill in the blanks with the correct particle:
Korean particles are not optional decorations — they are the skeleton of Korean grammar. Mastering 이/가, 은/는, 을/를, and 에/에서 will immediately make your Korean clearer and more natural.
The best way to learn particles is through lots of reading and listening — patterns will become intuitive over time. Our structured Korean program gives you daily practice in context so particles click naturally.