Topic Particle +은/는

When the topic particle +은/는 (+eun/neun) is added to a noun, its general meaning is like the English ‘as for (noun)’ or ‘with regard to (noun)’. +은/는 can be used in many ways. In this section we will use it to describe what one person (or one subject) is doing in contrast to another.

Rules:

1)  If the noun ends in a vowel, add +는.

     저  +  는    → 저는 (I or Me)                                       Writing

    Jeo   Neun      Jeoneun

     저  +  ㄴ    → 전 (I or Me)                                          Speaking

    Jeo       N          Jeon

2)  If the noun ends in a consonant, add +은.

     책    +   은  → 책은 (Book)

  Chaek    Eun      Chaegeun

Examples :

폴은 한국어 공부해요.                                Paul is studying Korean.

Pauleun Hangugeo kongbuhaeyo.

저는 사회학 공부해요.                                I am studying sociology.

Jeoneun sahoehak kongbuhaeyo.

폴은 샌드위치 좋아해요.                           Paul likes sandwiches.

Pauleun saendeuwichi joahaeyo.

하지만 수미는 안 좋아해요.                      But Sumi doesn’t.

Hajiman Sumineun anjoahaeyo.

폴은 호주 사람이에요.                               Paul is an Australian.

Pauleun Hoju saramieyo.

수미는 한국 사람이에요.                           Sumi is a Korean.

Sumineun Hanguk saramieyo.

폴은 서점에 가요.                                      Paul is going to the bookshop.

Pauleun seojeome gayo.

수미는 은행에 가요.                                  Sumi is going to the bank.

Sumineun eunhaenge gayo.

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