는 / 은 VS 이 / 가
This is the most asked question and request filling my inbox right now, so I decided to make a post helping those who are still confused differentiate between the two! Happy Learning :)
Here are some main points that make them different:
When the noun / subject of the sentence has been mentioned previously in a conversation, you use 이 / 가 in the next statement: ♡ 내 친구는 한국인이에요 - my friend is Korean ♡ 내 친구가 한국에서 태어났어요 - my friend was born in Korea
When you want to emphasize a noun, you should use 은 / 는 before the verb of the sentence but 이 / 가 should be used with the noun previously: ♡ 한국 음식이 좋은데 음식은 매워요 - I like Korean food, but it’s spicy
When there are two nouns in a sentence and an adjective, use 은 / 는 with the first noun and 이 / 가 with the second: ♡ 오늘은 날씨가 좋네요 - the weather is nice today
When it’s a negative sentence with the verb ‘to be’ (아니다 - to not be), you always have to use 이 / 가 with the noun before the verb: ♡ 그것은 빵이 아니에요 - that is not bread
When 있다 / 없다 (to have / to not have)are used, you should always use 이 / 가 with the noun before 있다 / 없다: ♡ 비빔밥이 있어요? - Is there bibimbap? ♡ 내일 시간이 없어요. - I don’t have time tomorrow.
When it is obvious that you are talking about something in a sentence, use 이 / 가: (similar to #1) ♡ 희주: 식당은 어디세요? - where’s the restaurant? ♡ 종호: 식당이 여기 있어요 - the restaurant is here
Basic Rule: subject particles go with the subject of the sentence and topic particles go with the topic of the sentence - yes they can mean the same thing depending on the sentence, but hopefully, with these rules, you can understand the difference easier! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask me, I’m always here to help :)
~ SK101
