KOREAN LEVEL UP › Korean grammar › -은/는 (주제)
Korean Grammar “-은/는 (주제)”: Meaning and Usage (TOPIK 1)
How to attach it
A particle attaches directly to the noun, and its form depends on the noun’s last sound. Compare the nouns below.
| Korean | Meaning | With the particle | Romanization |
|---|---|---|---|
| 나라 | country | 나라는 | naraneun |
| 음식 | food | 음식은 | eumsigeun |
| 선물 | gift | 선물은 | seonmureun |
What changes
- Use 는 after a noun ending in a vowel and 은 after a noun ending in a consonant (나라는, 음식은). A noun ending in ㄹ counts as a consonant (선물은).
Explanation
저는 학생이에요. 제 친구는 회사원이에요.
“-은/는” marks the topic or a contrast. Use “는” after a vowel and “은” after a consonant; since “친구” ends in a vowel, it becomes “친구는.” The sentence means “I am a student. My friend is an office worker.” A common mistake is attaching the consonant form, as in “친구은.”
Pronouncing the example sentence
Example sentence: 저는 학생이에요. 제 친구는 회사원이에요.
Said aloud, it sounds like [저는 학쌩이에요 제 친구는 회사워니에요].
| Syllable | Letters (consonant + vowel + final) | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| 저는 | ||
| 저 | ㅈ+ㅓ | jeo |
| 는 | ㄴ+ㅡ+ㄴ | neun |
| 학생이에요 | ||
| 학 | ㅎ+ㅏ+ㄱ | hak |
| 생 | ㅅ+ㅐ+ㅇ | [쌩] saeng |
| 이 | ㅇ+ㅣ | i |
| 에 | ㅇ+ㅔ | e |
| 요 | ㅇ+ㅛ | yo |
| 제 | ㅈ+ㅔ | je |
| 친구는 | ||
| 친 | ㅊ+ㅣ+ㄴ | chin |
| 구 | ㄱ+ㅜ | gu |
| 는 | ㄴ+ㅡ+ㄴ | neun |
| 회사원이에요 | ||
| 회 | ㅎ+ㅚ | hoe |
| 사 | ㅅ+ㅏ | sa |
| 원 | ㅇ+ㅝ+ㄴ | [워] wo |
| 이 | ㅇ+ㅣ | [니] ni |
| 에 | ㅇ+ㅔ | e |
| 요 | ㅇ+ㅛ | yo |
A ㅇ at the start of a syllable is silent; at the end of a syllable it sounds like “ng”.
Sound changes in this phrase
- Tensing: after a final ㄱ, ㄷ or ㅂ sound, ㄱ, ㄷ, ㅂ, ㅅ and ㅈ become tense (ㄲ, ㄸ, ㅃ, ㅆ, ㅉ). 학생 → [학쌩]
- Linking: when a syllable ending in a consonant (patchim) is followed by a syllable that starts with a vowel, the consonant moves over to the next syllable. 원이 → [워니]
Politeness level of the example
Ends in -요. The everyday polite style, and a safe choice with shop staff, colleagues, strangers and anyone older than you.
Practice
Test yourself before you move on. Tap an answer.
Question 1 Choose the word that fits the blank: 저는 학생이에요. 제 친구____ 회사원이에요.
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Answer: 저는 학생이에요. 제 친구는 회사원이에요.
Question 2 Which is the correct form of 나라 + -은/는 (주제)?
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Answer: 나라는
Question 3 Which is the correct form of 음식 + -은/는 (주제)?
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Answer: 음식은
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