조사
Particles — the map of a Korean sentence
Topic, subject, object, and place particles in one field guide.
Particles are not optional decoration
English uses word order. Korean uses 조사 (josa) to mark roles, so order can flex for emphasis. 저는 김치를 먹어요 and 김치를 저는 먹어요 are both “I eat kimchi,” with different spotlight.
Start with four pairs: 은/는 topic, 이/가 subject, 을/를 object, 에/에서 place. The first form follows a batchim; the second follows a vowel.
저는 학생이에요.
jeoneun haksaeng-ieyo.
I am a student. (topic)
고양이가 있어요.
goyang-iga isseoyo.
There is a cat. (subject)
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