there are a lot of particles used in korean and it can be a little overwhelming, especially for beginners, so i decided to put together a review sheet of sorts for all the essential particles you’ll need to know for some basic conversation!
는/은 is used to highlight the main subject doing the main action of a sentence. they’re also used to compare and state facts. in comparison, 이/가 are also used to highlight subjects, but they’re not the main subject. ex:
사과는 빨간색이에요. 바나나는 노란색이에요.
apples are red. bananas are yellow. here, you’re stating facts, and the fruits are also doing the “main action” of being a colour so 는 is used.
저는 네가 말했던 걸 명심했어요.
i kept in mind the things you said. in this sentence, you are the main subject doing the main action of remembering the things the other person said, therefore 는 is used.
제가 좋아하는 사람은 엄청 똑똑해요.
the person i like is really smart. in this sentence, you like someone but the main subject is the person you like, not you. they’re doing the main action of being smart.
used to highlight objects you are acting on in a sentence. ex:
저는 피자를 먹었어요.
i ate pizza.
새 가방을 샀어요.
i bought a new bag.
used to indicate that you’re going/went to somewhere.
친구의 집에 갈 거예요.
i’m going to my friend’s house.
학교에 안 갈래요.
i don’t want to go to school/i’m not going to school.
~에서: indicates something is done in a location
저는 도서관에서 공부했어요.
i studied in the library.
저는 영국에서 살아요.
i live in england.
used when something is done or given to a person. ex:
저는 친구한테 선물을 줬어요.
i gave a present to my friend.
저는 동생에게 한국어를 가르쳤어요.
i taught korean to my sibling.
엄마한테 기쁜 소식을 알려줬어요
i told my mum the good news.
used to indicate that something is received from someone. ex:
저는 친구에게서 편지를 받았어요.
i received a letter from my friend.
~부터/까지: “to/from a time/place”
~부터 is used to mean “from _”, ~까지 is used to mean “to_” ex:
친구들이랑 아침부터 밤까지 얘기했어요.
i talked with my friends from the morning to the night.
학교부터 집까지 걸면 10분 쯤 걸려요.
if you walk from school to my home, it takes around 10 minutes.
머리부터 발끝까지 아름다워요.
you’re beautiful from head to toe.
used to mean only (noun). ex:
저는 아이돌 그룹들 중에 엑소만 좋아해요.
out of all the idol groups, i only like exo.
초밥만 먹고 싶어요.
i only want to eat sushi.
~ㄹ/을 때: used to indicate a certain period of time or moment
저는 어렸을 때 정말 귀여웠어요.
i was really cute when i was young.
공부할 때 집중하면 돼요.
you should focus when you study.
심심할 때 뭐해요?
what do you do when you’re bored?
