이/가 vs 은/는: Master the Korean Subject Marker
Stop mixing up Korean particles! Master 이/가 and 은/는 with simple rules, examples, and a quick practice quiz. Learn to speak naturally today.
Learn the simple decision rule to choose between 이/가 and 은/는 so you never sound like a textbook robot again.
Many beginners use 은/는eun/neun for everything because it's the first thing they learn. But using the wrong marker can change the whole focus of your sentence.
- Wrong:
날씨는 좋아요?nalssineun johayo? (Sounds like: "As for the weather, is it good? [implying other things might be bad]") - Right:
날씨가 좋아요?nalssiga johayo? (Is the weather good?)
Quick cheat sheet
Expressions in this post
Form (how to attach)
- Consonant ending: +
이i (e.g.,선생님seonsaengnim ->선생님이seonsaengnimi) - Vowel ending: +
가ga (e.g.,친구chingu ->친구가chinguga)
Meaning range (what it can/can’t mean)
This particle identifies the "doer" of the sentence. It is used when introducing new information or when you want to emphasize who did something. If someone asks "Who ate the cake?", you answer with 이/가i/ga because the identity of the person is the most important part.
Register (neutral/polite)
Neutral. Used in all levels of speech from casual to formal.
Common mistakes (wrong → right)
- Wrong:
저가 한국 사람이에요.jeoga hanguk saramieyo. - Right:
제가 한국 사람이에요.jega hanguk saramieyo. (When저jeo meets가ga, it changes to제je.)
Examples
이름이 뭐예요?ireumi mwoyeyo? — What is your name?비가 와요.biga wayo. — It is raining.친구가 한국에 와요.chinguga hanguge wayo. — A friend is coming to Korea.가방이 무거워요.gabai mugeowoyo. — The bag is heavy.누가 했어요?nuga haesseoyo? — Who did it?
Form (how to attach)
- Consonant ending: +
은eun (e.g.,학생haksaeng ->학생은haksaeeun) - Vowel ending: +
는neun (e.g.,나na ->나는naneun)
Meaning range (what it can/can’t mean)
This is the "Topic Marker." It sets the stage for what you are talking about. It is also used heavily for contrast. If you say "I like apples, but (as for) bananas, I hate them," you use 은/는eun/neun for the bananas to show the contrast.
Common mistakes (wrong → right)
- Wrong:
저는 이름이 민수예요.jeoneun ireumi minsuyeyo. (Technically okay, but redundant in many contexts) - Right:
제 이름은 민수예요.je ireumeun minsuyeyo. (My name [topic] is Minsu.)
Examples
저는 학생이에요.jeoneun haksaeieyo. — I am a student.이 사과는 맛있어요.i sagwaneun masisseoyo. — This apple is delicious.오늘은 날씨가 더워요.oneureun nalssiga deowoyo. — As for today, the weather is hot.동생은 공부를 해요.dongsaeeun gongbureul haeyo. — (As for) my younger sibling, they are studying.한국어는 재미있어요.hangugeoneun jaemiisseoyo. — Korean language is interesting.
Mini quiz (2 minutes)
Notes:
- Q1:
이i is the subject marker used after a consonant (수박subak) to state a simple fact about the subject. - Q2:
는neun is used here to show contrast between apples and grapes after a vowel-ending noun (포도podo). - Q3:
은eun is the standard topic marker used when introducing a specific topic like your name after a consonant (이름ireum).
Next steps
Rewrite these 5 sentences by choosing the most natural particle based on the context provided:
- (Introducing yourself)
나___ 미국 사람이야.na___ miguk saramiya. - (Someone asks who is tall)
민수___ 커요.minsu___ keoyo. - (Comparing weather)
어제는 추웠어요. 오늘___ 따뜻해요.eojeneun chuwosseoyo. oneul___ ttatteuthaeyo. - (Noticing something new)
와! 꽃___ 예쁘다.wa! kkot___ yeppeuda. - (Talking about your hobby)
제 취미___ 요리예요.je chwimi___ yoriyeyo.
