Particles
Attach to a noun to mark its role in the sentence
topic marker
저는 베트남 사람이에요.— I'm Vietnamese.
커피는 마시는데 술은 안 마셔.— I drink coffee, but not alcohol.
subject marker
누가 왔어요?— Who came?
동생이 전화했어.— My younger sibling called.
object marker
저는 한국어를 배워요.— I'm learning Korean.
밥을 먹었어?— Did you eat?
at, in, to (place or time)
아홉 시에 회사에 가요.— I go to work at nine.
주말에 뭐 해?— What are you doing this weekend?
at, in (where an action happens); from
도서관에서 공부했어요.— I studied at the library.
베트남에서 왔어요.— I'm from Vietnam.
also, too
저도 같이 갈게요.— I'll come along too.
이것도 주세요.— I'll take this one as well.
of; possessive marker
이건 회사의 방침입니다.— This is the company's policy.
내 친구야.— That's my friend.
and; with
빵과 우유를 샀어요.— I bought bread and milk.
친구랑 영화 봤어.— I watched a movie with a friend.
only; just
저는 물만 마셔요.— I only drink water.
너만 알고 있어.— Keep it to yourself.
from (starting point)
아홉 시부터 시작합니다.— It starts from nine o'clock.
너부터 해.— You go first.
until; to (an end point)
금요일까지 끝내야 해요.— It has to be done by Friday.
여기까지 어떻게 오셨어요?— How did you get all the way here?
by, with; toward
지하철로 왔어요.— I came by subway.
이쪽으로 오세요.— Please come this way.
to (a person)
친구한테 선물을 줬어요.— I gave a present to my friend.
부모님께 말씀드렸어.— I told my parents.
from (a person)
선배에게서 연락이 왔어요.— I got a message from a senior colleague.
누구한테서 들었어?— Who did you hear it from?
than
오늘이 어제보다 더워요.— Today is hotter than yesterday.
생각보다 쉽네.— That was easier than I thought.
like; as
가수처럼 노래를 잘하시네요.— You sing like a singer.
너처럼 하면 돼.— Just do it like you did.
every; each
주말마다 등산을 가요.— I go hiking every weekend.
사람마다 다르지.— It's different for each person.
or; as many as
커피나 차 드시겠어요?— Would you like coffee or tea?
세 시간이나 기다렸어.— I waited three whole hours.
only (used with a negative)
만 원밖에 없어요.— I only have ten thousand won.
한 명밖에 안 왔어.— Only one person came.
honorific subject marker
사장님께서 오셨습니다.— The president has arrived.
할머니께서 주신 거야.— My grandmother gave me this.
quoting particle: called; saying that
김민수라고 합니다.— My name is Kim Min-su.
그게 뭐라고 했지?— What did you say that was?
even if it's only
조금이나마 도움이 되면 좋겠습니다.— I hope it helps, even a little.
이거나마 받아.— At least take this.
or something; even
커피라도 한잔하실래요?— Shall we grab a coffee or something?
잠깐이라도 쉬어.— Rest, even just for a moment.
even
이름조차 기억나지 않아요.— I can't even remember the name.
물조차 못 마셨어.— I couldn't even drink water.
even (the last remaining)
이제는 그 사람마저 떠났어요.— Now even that person has left.
비마저 오네.— And now it's raining, too.
any; whichever
언제든지 연락 주세요.— Contact me any time.
뭐든지 잘 먹어.— He eats anything.
as for (emphasis)
그거야 당연하지요.— That goes without saying.
나야 좋지.— I'm all for it.
because it is
신입이라서 아직 잘 몰라요.— I'm new here, so I don't know yet.
주말이라 사람이 많네.— It's the weekend, so it's crowded.
to (honorific)
사장님께 보고드렸습니다.— I reported it to the director.
부모님께 드릴 선물이야.— This is a gift for my parents.
as (a role)
부모로서 당연한 일입니다.— As a parent, it's only natural.
친구로서 하는 말이야.— I'm saying this as a friend.