Language/Korean/Grammar/Subject-and-Object-Markers

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Korean Grammar → Korean Alphabets → Subject and Object Markers

By the end of this lesson, you will know how to use the subject and object markers and create subject-object-verb sentences. You will also get introduced to Korean sentence structure.

Consider exploring these related pages after completing this lesson: Plurals & Conditional Sentences.

Korean Sentence Structure

Korean sentence structure is generally subject-object-verb, meaning that the subject of the sentence is followed by the object, which is then followed by the verb. This is different from English, which typically follows a subject-verb-object structure.

There are some exceptions to this rule, such as when using adverbs, prepositions or conjunctions. It is important to remember that the subject and object markers are crucial for understanding the Korean sentence structure.

Subject Markers

The subject markers in Korean are "이/가" (i/ga). They are used to mark the subject of the sentence. "이" is used after consonants, and "가" is used after vowels. Knowing which one to use can take some practice, but it becomes easier with time.

Here are some examples:

Korean	Pronunciation	English
저는	jeo-neun	I
사과가	sa-gwa-ga	the apple
학생이	hak-saeng-i	the student
배가	bae-ga	stomach

Note that in English, the equivalent of the subject marker is simply the subject pronoun.

Object Markers

The object markers in Korean are "을/를" (eul/reul). They are used to mark the object of the sentence. "을" is used after consonants, and "를" is used after vowels.

Here are some examples:

Korean	Pronunciation	English
책을	chaek-eul	the book
사람을	sa-ram-eul	the person
물을	mul-eul	water
고양이를	go-yang-i-reul	the cat

Note that in English, the equivalent of the object marker is simply the object noun.

Subject-Object-Verb Sentences

In Korean, subject-object-verb (SOV) word order is the most common. Here are some examples of SOV sentences using the subject and object markers:

• 저는 고양이를 좋아해요. (jeo-neun go-yang-i-reul jo-a-hae-yo.) - I like cats.
• 엄마가 물을 마셨어요. (eom-ma-ga mul-eul ma-syeoss-eo-yo.) - Mom drank water.
• 학생이 책을 읽어요. (hak-saeng-i chaek-eul il-geo-yo.) - The student reads the book.

It is important to note that by adding the object marker, it is clear which noun is the object of the sentence. Without the object marker, the meaning can become ambiguous.

Using 모든 (modeun) and 각 (gak) with Subject and Object Markers

Sometimes, when you want to specify "all" or "each" of something, you can use 모든 (modeun) or 각 (gak) with the subject or object marker.

Here are some examples:

• 모든 학생이 시험을 볼 거예요. (modeun hak-saeng-i si-heom-eul bol geo-ye-yo.) - All students will take the test.
• 각 부모님은 자녀를 사랑합니다. (gak bu-mo-nim-eun ja-nyeo-reul sa-rang-ham-ni-da.) - Each parent loves their child.

Practice

Here are some sentences for you to try and analyze the subject and object markers:

1. 눈이 너무 아파요. 2. 엄마가 밥을 해 주셨어요. 3. 나는 노래를 잘 못해요.

Can you identify which word is the subject and which word is the object?

Sources

• Object Marking Particles In Korean | Korean Language Blog
• Korean Particles – Using Subject, Object, and Topic Markers
• Markers for Subject & Object - Korean Jun : 100% Korean Grammar

Table of Contents - Korean Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Korean Alphabets

• Reading and writing Korean Alphabets
• Korean Pronunciation
• Subject and Object Markers

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Hello and Goodbye
• Introducing Yourself
• Family and Friends

  ---

Korean Culture and Customs

• Korean Etiquette
• Korean Holidays
• Korean Cuisine

  ---

Sentence Building

• Basic Verb Conjugation
• Question Words
• Connecting Verbs

  ---

Daily Routine

• Daily Activities
• Means of Transportation
• Weather and Seasons

  ---

Korean Pop Culture

• Korean Dramas
• Korean Music
• Korean Cinema

  ---

Describing People and Things

• Describing People
• Describing Things
• Comparatives and Superlatives

  ---

Food and Drinks

• Food and Ingredients
• Drinks
• Cooking and Recipes

  ---

Korean Traditions

• Korean Weddings
• Korean Festivals
• Korean Games and Sports

  ---

Verb Tenses

• Past Tense
• Future Tense
• Progressive Tense

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Travel and Sightseeing

• Travel Vocabulary
• Sightseeing Vocabulary
• Shopping Vocabulary

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Korean Arts and Crafts

• Korean Calligraphy
• Korean Pottery
• Korean Paper Crafts

  ---

Conjunctions and Connectors

• Conjunctions
• Connectors
• Conditional Sentences

  ---

Health and Body

• Body Parts
• Health Vocabulary
• Exercise and Fitness Vocabulary

  ---

Korean Nature

• Korean National Parks
• Korean Folk Villages
• Korean Eco-Friendly Practices

Other Lessons

• Progressive Tense
• 0 to A1 Course
• Describing Things
• Reading and writing Korean Alphabets
• Give your Opinion
• Connectors
• Future Tense
• Describing People
• Conditional Mood
• Nouns

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