Tuesday, 16 December 2008

Topic Particle - 은/는

은 and 는 are topic particles. They are attached to nouns, adverbs, other particles or endings. It shows the subject of the sentence or may be used to show "contrast" or "emphasis".

When the noun ends in a consonant, you will use "은".

When the noun ends in a vowel, you will use "는".

Here are two examples:-
  1. 물 : 물 + 은 ---> 물
  2. 우유 : 우유 + 는 ---> 우유

I'll now give you some example sentences, including their English translation:-

  1. 냉면이 쌉니다. 불고기 비쌉니다 --- Naeng-myun is cheap. However, Bulgogi is expensive.
  2. 버스가 느립니다. 지하철 빠릅니다 --- The bus is slow. However, the subway train is fast.
  3. 여름이 덥습니다. 겨울 춥습니다 --- It's hot in summer. However, it's cold in winter.

도 is a particle with the meaning of "also" and "too". It may be attached to the end of other particles as in "-에게도" and "-과도".

Here are two examples:-
  1. 책이 있습니다 + 노트가 있습니다 ---> 책이 있습니다. 노트도 있습니다.
  2. 사과를 먹습니다 + 수박을 먹습니다 ---> 사과를 먹습니다. 수박도 먹습니다.

Now i've shown you the way "도" works, i'll now give you some example sentences with their English translation, so you can fully see how it's used.

  1. 예습을 합니다. 복습 합니다 --- I prepare the lessons. I go over the lessons, too.
  2. 책을 읽습니다. 신문 읽습니다 --- I read a book. I read a newspaper, too.
  3. 선생님을 만납니다. 친구 만납니다 --- I meet a teacher. I meet a friend, too.
  4. 영화가 재미있습니다. 소설책 재미있습니다 --- The movie is interesting. The novel is interesting, too.

Monday, 15 December 2008

Object Particles - 을/를

을 and 를 are object particles which come after a noun and shows the "object" of the verb.

When the noun ends in a consonant, you will use "을".

When the noun ends in a vowel, you will use "를".

Here are two examples:-
  1. 책 : 책 + 을 ---> 책
  2. 교과서 : 교과서 + 를 ---> 교과서

In spoken language, it may be omitted or abbreviated into "-ㄹ" after a vowel.

Here's an example using the abbreviation:-

  1. 영화를 보고 커피를 마셨어요 ---> "영활 보고 커필 마셨어요"

I'll now give you some example sentences, including their English translation:-

  1. 신문 봅니다 --- I read a newspaper.
  2. 커피 마십니다 --- I drink a cup of coffee.
  3. 수영 합니다 --- I swim
  4. 지우개 삽니다 --- I buy an eraser.

Sunday, 14 December 2008

Subject Particle - 이/가

이 and 가 are subject particles. Particles which come after a noun and shows "subject" are: -께서, (에)께서, etc.

When the noun ends in a consonant, you will use "이".

When the noun ends in a vowel, you will use "가".

Here are two examples:-
  1. 연필 : 연필 + 이 ---> 연필
  2. 딸기 : 딸기 + 가 ---> 딸기

When "이" and "가" is attached at the end of "나, 너, 저, and 누구," the words change into:

  1. 나 ---> 내가
  2. 너 ---> 네가
  3. 저 ---> 제가
  4. 누구 ---> 누가

Here are some examples using the word change:-

  1. 내가 가요
  2. 네가 갔니?
  3. 제가 가겠습니다
  4. 누가 갑니까?

I'll now give you some example sentences, including their English translation:-

  1. 연필 있습니다 --- There is a pencil.
  2. 안경 없습니다 --- There is not a pair of glasses.
  3. 시계 비쌉니다 --- The watch is expensive.
  4. 딸기 맛있습니다 --- The strawberry is delicious.