Library · 55 particles
Korean Particles List
55 Korean particles in one place, grouped by the job they do. Each one opens a lesson with real examples, the usual mistakes and practice.
55 particles in 10 groups, one colour each. Pick a group above to pick it out.
01TOPIK 1은 / 는eun / neunTopic ParticlesSets the topic of the sentence. What are we talking about?02TOPIK 1이 / 가i / gaSubject ParticlesIdentifies the grammatical subject of the sentence.03TOPIK 1을 / 를eul / reulObject ParticlesMarks the object receiving the action of the verb.04TOPIK 1이에요/예요ieyo/yeyoTo Be (Is / Am / Are)Says what something is: "I'm a student", "it's a book". It goes right after the noun.05TOPIK 1의uiPossessiveIndicates possession or relationship. Equivalent to 's or 'of'.06들deulPlural ParticleMakes a noun plural. Often optional but clarifies multiple items.07TOPIK 1에 / 에서e / eseoLocation ParticlesMarking location and time. The difference depends on static vs dynamic verbs.08TOPIK 1부터 / 까지buteo / kkajiRange (From/To)Defines a range in time or place (From... To...).09TOPIK 2서부터seo-buteoEmphatic FromA more emphatic way of saying 'starting from a place'.10TOPIK 2마다madaFrequency / EveryMeans 'every' or 'each'.11TOPIK 3쯤jjeumApproximationMeans 'about', 'around', or 'approximately'.12TOPIK 3요yoPolite 요 (on Anything)Makes a short answer or half a sentence polite: 커피요 (keopiyo), "coffee, please".13TOPIK 1께서kkeseoHonorific SubjectA highly polite version of the subject particle (이/가).14TOPIK 1–2에게한테께ege / hante / kkeDative (To a person)Indicates the recipient of an action (giving to, talking to).15TOPIK 2에게서한테서egeseo / hanteseoFrom (Person)Indicates receiving something 'from' a person.16TOPIK 3(으)로부터(eu)robuteoFrom (Source)Marks the origin or source that something comes from.17TOPIK 3아 / 야a / yaVocative (Calling)Used to call someone's name casually.18TOPIK 3보고bogoRecipient (Speech)Identifies the person being spoken to.19더러deoreoTo (Spoken)Colloquial marker for 'to (a person)' when asking/telling them something.20TOPIK 3(이)라고고(i)rago / goQuotationMarks quoted speech or thoughts.21혼자서/둘이서honjaseo/duriseoBy Yourself / TogetherGoes after 혼자 (honja, alone) or a number of people to say who does something: 둘이서 (duriseo), "the two of us".22TOPIK 1(으)로(eu)roDirection/MeansIndicates direction (towards) or method (using/by).23TOPIK 4(으)로서(eu)roseoAs (Role/Status)Indicates a status, capacity, or qualification. 'As a...'24TOPIK 4(으)로써(eu)rosseoBy Means OfIndicates an instrument, means, or method. 'By using...'25TOPIK 3대로daeroAccording toMeans 'according to' or 'following'.26TOPIK 1과/와하고이랑gwa/wa / hago / irangConnectionMeans 'and' or 'with'.27TOPIK 5끼리kkiriAmong / BetweenIndicates 'among ourselves/themselves' or 'between (a group)'.28TOPIK 1도doAlso / TooMeans 'also' or 'too'. Replaces subject/object particles.29TOPIK 2에다가edagaOn top of / And alsoIndicates adding something onto a location or existing thing.30뿐만 아니라ppunman aniraNot only... but alsoAdds a second, often bigger point on top of the first.31TOPIK 4(이)며(i)myeoA, B, Everything (Listing)Lists things one after another to show there's a lot: 옷이며 신발이며 (osimyeo sinbarimyeo), "clothes, shoes, everything".32TOPIK 1만manOnlyIndicates exclusivity. Means 'only' or 'just'.33TOPIK 2밖에bak-keOnly (Negative)Means 'nothing but'. Needs a negative verb (or a rhetorical question).34TOPIK 3뿐ppunOnly / JustMeans 'only' or 'just'. Used for exclusivity.35말고malgoNot... But...Used to exclude one option and choose another.36TOPIK 2(이)나(i)naChoice / SelectionMeans 'Or'. Also suggests 'something like that'.37TOPIK 4(이)라도(i)radoSecond BestSuggests the 'next best' thing when the ideal is missing.38TOPIK 4(이)나마(i)namaEven If Only (Making Do)Accepts something that isn't ideal: "even if it's only…", "at least…".39TOPIK 4든지deun-jiIndifference / AnyNo matter what/who/when/where.40TOPIK 3대신에daesineInstead ofMeans 'instead of'. Substitution or compensation.41TOPIK 1보다bodaComparisonMeans 'than'. Used to compare two nouns.42TOPIK 2–3처럼 / 같이cheoreom / gachiSimile / LikeMeans 'like' or 'as'. Expresses resemblance.43답게dapgeBefitting / Like a properSays something behaves as its own nature or role demands.44TOPIK 3만큼man-keumExtent / As much asIndicates a similar degree or extent.45TOPIK 3씩ssikDistribution / EachMeans 'each' or 'apiece'. Distributes items.46TOPIK 4치고(는)chigo-neunStandard / ExceptionExpresses a standard for comparison or exceptions.47TOPIK 2때문에ttaemuneReason (Noun)Means 'because of'. Attached to nouns.48TOPIK 2덕분에deok-bu-nePositive ReasonIndicates a positive cause. Means 'Thanks to'.49TOPIK 3을/를 위해서/위해eul/reul wihaeseo/wihaeFor the sake ofMeans 'for' or 'for the sake of' a person or cause.50TOPIK 3에 대해서/대해e daehaeseo/daehaeAbout / RegardingMeans 'about' or 'regarding' a certain topic.51TOPIK 4(이)란(i)ranWhat Something Is (Defining)Picks out a topic to say what it is or what it's really like: 사랑이란 (sarangiran), "love is…".52TOPIK 4(이)야(i)yaOf Course / Sure, but (Emphasis)Stresses a word to say "as for this, of course", often before a "but".53(이)야말로(i)ya-malloUltimate EmphasisThe very one / indeed.54TOPIK 4–5조차 / 마저jocha / majeoEvenMeans 'even' or 'so far as'. Often negative nuance.55TOPIK 4커녕keonyeongFar from / Let aloneUsed to indicate that even the basic thing is impossible, let alone the advanced thing.
What are Korean particles?
Korean particles (조사, josa) are short words that go after a noun to show its job in the sentence: who does something, what it's done to, where, when, with whom. English shows most of this with word order and words like "to" and "at". Korean puts it on the end of the noun instead, which is why the nouns can move around and the sentence still makes sense. They're sometimes called markers or postpositions.
저는 커피를 마셔요.
jeoneun keopireul masyeoyo
"I drink coffee." 는 marks what the sentence is about (me), and 를 marks the thing being drunk (coffee).
Korean particles chart
Every particle on this page, grouped by what it does, with one example each. Tap a particle for its full lesson.
| Particle | Meaning and example |
|---|---|
| Core building blocks | |
| 은, 는eun, neun | topic particle, "as for"저는 학생입니다.jeoneun haksaengimnida.I am a student. (Neutral topic) |
| 이, 가i, ga | subject particle고양이가 귀여워요.goyangiga gwiyeowoyo.The cat is cute. |
| 을, 를eul, reul | object particle책을 읽어요.chaegeul ilgeoyo.I read a book. |
| 이에요/예요ieyo/yeyo | to be (is, am, are)저는 학생이에요.jeoneun haksaengieyo.I'm a student. |
| 의ui | possessive particle선생님의 안경seonsaengnimui angyeongTeacher's glasses |
| 들deul | plural marker학생들이 공부해요.haksaengdeuri gongbuhaeyo.Students are studying. |
| Place, time & range | |
| 에, 에서e, eseo | at, in, to, from학교에 가요.hakgyoe gayo.I go to school. |
| 부터, 까지buteo, kkaji | from … until아침부터 밤까지achimbuteo bamkkajiFrom morning until night. |
| 서부터seo-buteo | starting from집에서부터 걸어왔어요.jibeseobuteo georeowasseoyo.I walked all the way from home. |
| 마다mada | every, each아침마다 운동해요.achimmada undonghaeyo.I exercise every morning. |
| 쯤jjeum | about, around2시쯤 만나요.2sijjeum mannayo.Let's meet around 2 o'clock. |
| People & speech | |
| 요yo | polite particle커피요, 따뜻한 걸로요.keopiyo, ttatteutan geolloyo.Coffee, please. A hot one. |
| 께서kkeseo | honorific subject particle부모님께서 말씀하셨어요.bumonimkkeseo malsseumhasyeosseoyo.My parents spoke. |
| 에게, 한테, 께ege, hante, kke | to (a person)동생한테 선물을 줘요.dongsaenghante seonmureul jwoyo.I give a gift to my younger sibling. |
| 에게서, 한테서egeseo, hanteseo | from (a person)누구한테서 받았어요?nuguhanteseo badasseoyo?Who did you get it from? |
| (으)로부터(eu)robuteo | from (formal)은행으로부터 편지가 왔어요.eunhaengeurobuteo pyeonjiga wasseoyo.A letter came from the bank. |
| 아, 야a, ya | calling someone's name수진아, 밥 먹어!sujina, bap meogeo!Sujin, eat your food! |
| 보고bogo | to, at (someone)엄마가 나보고 공부하래.eommaga nabogo gongbuharae.Mom told me to study. |
| 더러deoreo | to, telling someone누구더러 하는 소리야?nugudeoreo haneun soriya?Who are you saying that to? |
| (이)라고, 고(i)rago, go | quoting speech안녕이라고 말해요.annyeongirago malhaeyo.Say 'Hello'. |
| 혼자서/둘이서honjaseo/duriseo | by yourself, the two of us우리 둘이서 이 케이크를 다 먹었어요.uri duriseo i keikeureul da meogeosseoyo.The two of us ate this whole cake. |
| Direction, means & role | |
| (으)로(eu)ro | to, by, with, as오른쪽으로 가세요.oreunjjogeuro gaseyo.Please go to the right. |
| (으)로서(eu)roseo | as (a role)리더로서 책임이 있어요.rideoroseo chaegimi isseoyo.I have responsibility as a leader. |
| (으)로써(eu)rosseo | by means of눈물로써 호소했어요.nunmullosseo hosohaesseoyo.He appealed with tears. |
| 대로daero | as, according to마음대로 하세요.maeumdaero haseyo.Do as you wish (as your mind pleases). |
| Adding & joining | |
| 과/와, 하고, 이랑gwa/wa, hago, irang | and, with빵과 우유ppanggwa uyuBread and milk. |
| 끼리kkiri | among, just us친구끼리 싸우지 마.chingukkiri ssauji ma.Don't fight among friends. |
| 도do | too, also, even피자도 먹고 싶어요.pijado meokgo sipeoyo.I want to eat pizza too. |
| 에다가edaga | onto, in addition to커피에다가 설탕을 넣으세요.keopiedaga seoltangeul neoeuseyo.Put sugar into the coffee. |
| 뿐만 아니라ppunman anira | not only … but also이 식당은 음식뿐만 아니라 서비스도 좋아요.i sikdangeun eumsikppunman anira seobiseudo joayo.This restaurant has good food and good service too. |
| (이)며(i)myeo | A, B and everything가방 안에 지갑이며 휴대폰이며 다 들어 있어요.gabang ane jigabimyeo hyudaeponimyeo da deureo isseoyo.My wallet, my phone, everything is in that bag. |
| Limiting & excluding | |
| 만man | only, just잠만 잤어요.jamman jasseoyo.I only slept. |
| 밖에bak-ke | only (with a negative)만 원밖에 없어요.man wonbakke eopseoyo.I only have 10,000 won. |
| 뿐ppun | only, just남은 것은 이것뿐이에요.nameun geoseun igeotppunieyo.The only thing left is this. |
| 말고malgo | not A but B오늘 말고 내일 만나요.oneul malgo naeil mannayo.Let's meet tomorrow, not today. |
| Choice & alternatives | |
| (이)나(i)na | or, as many as밥이나 먹자.babina meokja.Let's just grab something to eat. |
| (이)라도(i)rado | at least, even if차라도 한 잔 마실까요?charado han jan masilkkayo?Shall we have at least a cup of tea? |
| (이)나마(i)nama | even if only, at least조금이나마 도움이 되면 좋겠어요.jogeuminama doumi doemyeon jokesseoyo.I hope it helps, even if only a little. |
| 든지deun-ji | whatever, either … or무엇이든지 물어보세요.mueosideunji mureoboseyo.Ask anything. |
| 대신에daesine | instead of커피 대신 차 주세요.keopi daesin cha juseyo.Give me tea instead of coffee. |
| Comparing & measuring | |
| 보다boda | more than영화보다 책이 좋아요.yeonghwaboda chaegi joayo.I like books more than movies. |
| 처럼, 같이cheoreom, gachi | like가수처럼 노래해요.gasucheoreom noraehaeyo.Sing like a singer. |
| 답게dapge | like a true …그는 프로답게 경기했어요.geuneun peurodapge gyeonggihaesseoyo.He played like a true professional. |
| 만큼man-keum | as much as나만큼 한국말 잘해요?namankeum hangungmal jalhaeyo?Do you speak Korean as well as me? |
| 씩ssik | each, at a time사과 한 개씩 먹어요.sagwa han gaessik meogeoyo.Eat one apple each. |
| 치고(는)chigo-neun | for a …, considering아이치고는 키가 커요.aichigoneun kiga keoyo.For a child, he is tall. |
| Cause, purpose & topic | |
| 때문에ttaemune | because of일 때문에 바빠요.il ttaemune bappayo.I am busy because of work. |
| 덕분에deok-bu-ne | thanks to친구 덕분에 즐거웠어요.chingu deokbune jeulgeowosseoyo.I had fun thanks to my friend. |
| 을/를 위해서/위해eul/reul wihaeseo/wihae | for, in order to가족을 위해 일해요.gajogeul wihae ilhaeyo.I work for my family. |
| 에 대해서/대해e daehaeseo/daehae | about한국 문화에 대해 알고 싶어요.hanguk munhwae daehae algo sipeoyo.I want to know about Korean culture. |
| (이)란(i)ran | what something is친구란 힘들 때 옆에 있어 주는 사람이에요.chinguran himdeul ttae yeope isseo juneun saramieyo.A friend is someone who stays by your side when things are hard. |
| Emphasis & extremes | |
| (이)야(i)ya | of course, as for나야 좋지!naya jochi!Me? I'd love to! |
| (이)야말로(i)ya-mallo | truly, indeed사랑이야말로 가장 소중해요.sarangiyamallo gajang sojunghaeyo.Love indeed is the most precious thing. |
| 조차, 마저jocha, majeo | even생각조차 못 했어요.saenggakjocha mot haesseoyo.I couldn't even think of it. |
| 커녕keonyeong | let alone, far from밥은커녕 물도 못 마셨어요.babeunkeonyeong muldo mot masyeosseoyo.I couldn't even drink water, let alone eat. |
How particles attach
Several particles have two forms. Which one you use depends on the last sound of the noun: one form after a consonant (a word with 받침, batchim, a final consonant) and one after a vowel. The meaning doesn't change.
| Job | After a consonant | After a vowel |
|---|---|---|
| Topic | 책은 chaegeun | 저는 jeoneun |
| Subject | 책이 chaegi | 차가 chaga |
| Object | 밥을 babeul | 커피를 keopireul |
| And, with | 책과 chaekgwa | 커피와 keopiwa |
| Direction, meansAfter ㄹ it's 로 too: 서울로. | 집으로 jibeuro | 학교로 hakgyoro |
| Or | 밥이나 babina | 커피나 keopina |
Common questions
How many Korean particles are there?
It depends on the dictionary: Korea's learner dictionary lists 157 and the open Urimalsaem dictionary 594, because dictionaries count every form and combination separately. You need far fewer. Where the numbers come from.
Which particles should I learn first?
이/가 i/ga, 은/는 eun/neun, 을/를 eul/reul and 에/에서 e/eseo. They show up in almost every sentence. The order I'd learn them in.
Do Koreans drop particles when they speak?
Often, in casual speech, especially 은/는 eun/neun and 을/를 eul/reul when the meaning is clear without them, even in polite speech like 커피 마실래요? keopi masillaeyo?. In writing they're almost always there. When it's safe to drop them.
Are Korean particles like Japanese particles?
Yes, many line up closely: 은/는 works much like は, 이/가 like が, 을/를 like を and 에 like に. The details differ, so it helps to learn the Korean ones on their own terms.