◼ Case particles 1- 을 [eul] /를 [reul] and (으)로 [(eu)ro]
1. The direct object particle 을/를[eul/reul]
The direct object refers to a noun that experiences the action indicated by the verb. In English, the direct object of
the sentence is typically determined by the place where it appears. For instance, the direct object of the sentence
“I eat steak” is “steak,” as the word “steak” appears after the verb “eat.” But, in Korean, the direct object is primarily
determined by the direct object particle 을/를 [eul/reul].
The direct object particle 을/를[eul/reul] is a two-form case particle: 을[eul] is used when the preceding noun ends
in a consonant, and 를[reul] is used when the preceding noun ends in a vowel.
책을 읽어요. [chaegeul ilkeoyo] “(I) read a book.”
영화를 봐요. [yeonghwareul bwayo] “(I) see a movie.”
Although the particle 을/를[eul/reul] typically marks the direct object of the transitive verb in Korean, there is one
exceptional case where it can appear with the intransitive verb, such as 가다[gada] “go” or 오다[oda] “come.”
“As for Andrew, (he) goes to school at 8 a.m.”
= 앤드류는 오전 8 시에 학교를 가요. [aendeuryuneun ojeon yeoteolp(8)sie hakgyoreul gayo]
= 앤드류는 오전 8 시에 학교에 가요. [aendeuryuneun ojeon yeoteolp(8)sie hakgyoe gayo]
Notice that 학교[hakgyo] “school” can be marked by the locative particle “에[e]” as well as the direct object particle
“를[reul]”. We will learn about the particle “에[e]” in more detail in the next chapter.
✓ Noun + 을/를+해요 [eul/reul heayo]
In Korean, one of the most useful ways to change a noun into a verb form is by adding 을/를 해요[eul/reul heayo]
to a noun. The verb 하다[hada] “do” is very resourceful and adaptable in that it can come after a noun and
transforms the meaning denoted by the noun as the verb form. For instance, consider the following sentences:
어디서 일을 하세요? [eodiseo ireul haseyo?] “Where do (you) work?”
토요일에 제 방 청소를 해요. [toyoire je bang cheongsoreul haeyo] “(I) clean my room on Saturday.”
Korean language class in MUNI
week
10
In this noun + 을/를 + 해요[eul/reul heayo] construction, the noun being used is treated as an independent noun
due to the presence of the direct object particle 을/를[eul/reul]. However, without the particle, the construction is
treated as a compound verb. For instance, the following two sentences have the same meanings:
사인을 해요. [saineul haeyo] “(I) do signing.”
사인해요. [sainhaeyo] “I sign.”
Notice that the first sentence has the particle 을[eul], while the second sentence does not have it. There is no
difference in their meanings.
2. Case particle (으)로 [(eu)ro]
The case particle (으)로[(eu)ro] is a two-form particle: (으)로[(eu)ro] appears after a noun that ends in a consonant
(as in 책으로[chaegeuro] “by books”); 로[ro] appears after a noun that ends in a vowel (as in 버스로[beoseuro] “by
bus”) or the consonant ㄹ (as in 신발로[sinballo] “by shoes”).
The particle (으)로[(eu)ro] can express the following five things:
(1) Means - the noun it attaches to is a tool or an instrument. “by means of” or “with.”
펜으로 사인하세요. [peneuro sainhaseyo] “Please sign with a pen.”
학교에 버스로 가요. [hakgyoe beoseuro gayo] “(I) go to school by bus.”
(2) Direction - the direction “to” or “toward.”
In the previous section however, it was noted that the direction (e.g., destination) can be marked by the case
particle 에[e]. The difference between 에[e] and (으)로[(eu)ro] is that while 에[e] indicates a specific location or
destination, (으)로[(eu)ro] indicates a more general direction of the target location.
어디에 가세요? [eodie gaseyo?] “Where do (you) go?”
어디로 가세요? [eodiro gaseyo?] “In what direction, do (you) go?”
왼쪽으로 가세요. [oenjjogeuro gaseyo] “Go toward the left side.”
학교 쪽으로 오세요. [hakgyo jjogeuro oseyo] “Come in the direction of the school.”
(3) Selection - the preceding noun is a selection from several options.
Server: 디저트는 뭘로 하시겠어요? [dijeoteuneun mwollo hasigesseoyo?] “As for dessert, what would (you) like?”
Customer: 저는 바닐라 아이스크림으로 주세요. [jeoneun banilla aiseukeurimeuro juseyo.] “As for me, give (me)
the vanilla ice cream.”
(4) The change of state - marks the result of the change.
삼성이 큰 회사로 성장했다. [samseongi keun hoesaro seongjanghaessda.] “Samsung grew up into a big company.”
물이 얼음으로 변했다. [muri eoreumeuro byeonhaessda] “Water changed into ice.”
(5) Reasons - indicates “the reason.”
차 사고로 다리를 다쳤어요. [cha sagoro darireul dachyeosseoyo] “(I) got hurt in the leg due to the car accident.”
서울이 1988 올림픽으로 유명해졌어요. [seouri ilgupalpal(1988) ollimpigeuro yumyeonghaejyeosseoyo] “Seoul
became well known due to the 1988 Olympics.”
◼ Case particles 2- 에서, 에게, 한테, 께, [eseo, ege, hante, kke,]
1. The particle 에서 [eseo]
The case particle 에서[eseo] is a one-form particle and is used to express two things: (1) the dynamic location, or
(2) the source of action.
A dynamic location refers to the place where an action takes place.
존이 학교 식당에서 점심을 먹어요. [joni hakgyo sikdangeseo jeomsimeul meogeoyo] “John eats lunch at the school
cafeteria.”
Notice that 학교 식당[hakgyo sikdang] “the school cafeteria” is a dynamic location, where the action (e.g., eating
lunch) takes place. In fact, the use of the particle 에서[eseo] is determined by the type of verb the sentence has.
Whenever the verb denotes an activity such as playing, doing, meeting, working, studying, and so on,에서[eseo]
must be used. Here are more examples:
“Andrew meets Susan at school.”
≠ 앤드류가 학교에 린다를 만나요. [aendeuryuga hakgyoe rindareul mannayo] (X)
= 앤드류가 학교에서 린다를 만나요. [aendeuryuga hakgyoeseo rindareul mannayo] (O)
In the first sentence above, the particle 에서[eseo] is used, since the school is the dynamic location where the
action (e.g., meeting Susan) is taking place. The use of 에[e] in this context would be ungrammatical.
Second, the particle 에서[eseo] marks a source of action (e.g., starting location), corresponding to “from” in English.
Consider the following examples:
여기에서 저기까지 청소해 주세요. [yeogieseo jeogikkaji cheongsohae juseyo] “Please clean from here to there.”
나오꼬가 일본에서 와요. [naokkoga ilboneseo wayo] “Naoko comes from Japan.”
Notice that the sources of action above are all inanimate entities (e.g., places such as Boston, here, and Japan).
If the sources of actions are animate such as persons and animals, different particles such as 한테[hante] or
에게[ege] should be used.
2. The particles 한테/에게/께 [hante/ege/kke] - “to”
The case particles 한테[hante], 에게[ege], and 께[kke] are one-form particles that mark the animate indirect object
of the sentence.
A) The particle 한테 [hante]
The particle 한테[hante] is most widely used in colloquial settings.
지나한테 연락해요. [jinahante yeonrakhaeyo] “(I) contact Gina.”
강아지한테 우유를 줬어요. [gangajihante uyureul jwosseoyo] “(I) gave milk to the puppy.”
Notice that the indirect objects are all animate objects (e.g., person, animals). As previously noted, the particle 에[e]
is used if the indirect objects are inanimate objects (e.g., destinations).
회사에 전화해요. [hoesae jeonhwahaeyo] “(I) make a phone call to the company.”
한국에 가요. [hanguge gay] “(I) go to Korea.”
B) The particle 에게 [ege]
The particle 에게[ege] is used instead of 한테[hante] in more formal usage (e.g., written communication).
이 편지를 제임스에게 보냈습니다. [i pyeonjireul jeimseuege bonaessseupnida] “(I) sent this letter to James.”
Notice that the sentence above sounds formal, since the particle 에게[ege] as well as the deferential speech level
ending 습니다[seupnida] are used.
C) The particle 께 [kke]
When the indirect object is an the esteemed person or senior, such as one’s boss, teachers, and parents, the
particle 께[kke] can be optionally used instead of 한테[hante] or 에게[ege]. The particle ℮ is another indirect object
particle, used to indicate honorific meanings to the esteemed indirect object. For instance, consider the following
sentences:
선생님께 가방을 드렸어요. [seonsaengnimkke gabangeul deuryeosseoyo] “(I) gave a bag to the teacher.”
사장님께 가방을 드렸어요. [sajangnimkke gabangeul deuryeosseoyo] “(I) gave a bag to the president.”
In these examples above, the indirect objects are the teacher and the president to whom the speaker wishes to
express honorific attitude. Consequently, the use of the particle ℮ is more appropriate than the use of 한테[hante]
or 에게[ege].
One thing to remember when using 께[kke], is that since it is an honorific element its usage should be collocated
with other honorific elements such as the honorific suffix, euphemistic words, proper address or reference terms
and so on. For example, in the above examples, 드리다[deurida] “give (honorific)” is used instead of 주다[juda]
“give (plain form).”
◼ Vocabulary
과일[gwail] fruit 보다[boda] to watch 약속[yaksok] promise 젓가락[jeosgarak] chopsticks
게임[geim] game 볼펜[bolpen] ball-point pen 얼굴[eolgul] face 주다[juda] to give
공부하다[gongbuhada]
to study
비행기[bihaenggi] airplane 열다[yeolda] to open 지키다[jikida] to keep
국수[guksu] noodle 빨래[ppallae] laundry 열쇠[yeolsoe] key 찍다[jjikda] to take (a photograph)
기숙사[gisuksa] dormitory 빵[ppang] bread 영화[yeonghwa] movie 차[cha] car
꽃[kkocc] flower 사다[sada] to buy 오른쪽[oreunjjok] the
right side
창문[changmun] window
담배[dambae] cigarette 사진[sajin] picture 외우다[oeuda] to
memorize
청소[cheongso] cleaning
도서관[doseogwan] library 산책[sanchaek] stroll 요리[yori] cooking 토요일[toyoil] Saturday
마시다[masida] to drink 색[saek] color 운동[undong] sports 파랑[parang] blue(color)
만나다[mannada] to meet 설거지[seolgeoji] dish washing 음악[eumak] music 팔다[palda] to sell
먹다[meokda] to eat 세수[sesu] face washing 이기다[igida] to win 피우다[piuda] to smoke
문[mun] door 손[son] hand 이름[ireum] name 하얀색[hayansaek] white(color)
문화[munhwa] culture 숙제[sukje] homework 이야기[iyagi] talking 흔들다[heundeulda] to shake
물[mul] water 쓰다[sseuda] to write 읽다[ilkda] to read 가르치다[gareuchida] to teach
바꿔주다[bakkwojuda] to
change
씻다[ssisda] to wash 자전거[jajeongeo] bike 도착하다[dochakhada] to arrive
배우다[baeuda] to learn 앉다[anjda] to sit 전화[jeonhwa] telephone 말하다[malhada] to speak
빌리다[billida] to borrow 어머니[eomeoni] mother 전화하다[jeonhwahada]
to make a phone call
한국[hanguk] Korea (South)
친구[chingu] friend 편지[pyeonji] letter 책 [chaek] book 미국[miguk] America/USA
◼ Exercise
Exercise1. Translate the following into Korean or English.
Example: “(I) jog everyday”= 매일 조깅을 해요.
1. “(I) take a shower everyday.”
2. “(I) do homework everyday.”
3. “Hyewon drinks coffee at Starbucks.”
4. “Alois learns Korean.”
5. “Minhee meets friends.”
6. 약속을 지켜요.
7. 사진을 찍어요
Exercise2. Fill in the blanks with either 로 or 으로:
Example: 앞___오세요 “Please come forward.” = 으로
1. ‘Happiness’가 한국어____ ‘행복’이에요. “Happiness is ‘haengbok’ in Korean.” (Means)
2. 밀가루_____빵을 만들어요. “(One) makes bread with flour.” (Means)
3. 저는 콜라_____할래요. “As for me, (I) will have Cola.” (Selection)
4. 오늘은 도서관_____가요. “As for today, (we) go to the library.” (Direction)
5. 아침 수업을 오후 수업____바꿨어요. “(I) changed the morning class with an afternoon class.” (Change of state)
6. 축제_____ 모두가 즐거워했다. “Everyone rejoiced because of the festival.” (Reason)
Exercise 3. Choose the appropriate particle from the brackets:
Example: 학교_____(에/에서) 공부해요. “(I) study at school.” = 에서
1. 어디_____(에/에서) 일하세요? “Where (do you) work?”
2. 오전 11 시_____(에/에서) 서울로 떠나요. “(I) leave for Seoul at 11 a.m.”
3. 공원______(에/에서) 만나요. “(Let us) meet at the park.”
4. 경찰서_____(에/한테) 연락했어요. “(I) contacted the police station.”
5. 친구______(한테/께) 선물을 받았어요. “(I) received presents from friends.”
6. 할아버지______(께/한테/에서) 전화할 거예요. “(I) will make a phone call to grandfather.”
Exercise 4. Each sentence has one incorrect particle. Identify the incorrect particle and make a correction as
needed:
Example: 민혁의 형을 선생님이에요. (X) “As for Minhyeok’s older brother, (he) is a teacher”
=민혁의 형은 선생님이에요. (O)
1. 한국을 편지가 왔어요. “A letter was arrived from Korea.”
2. 선생님에게 책을 드렸어요. “(I) gave a book to my teacher.”
3. 김치는 배추한테 만들어요. “As for kimchi, (one) makes it with cabbage”
4. 서현이 빵에서 먹어요. “Seohyeon eats bread.”
5. 도서관을 친구를 만나요. “(I) meet friend at the library.”
◼ Conversation
성재[seongjae]: 오늘 시간 돼? 시험도 다 끝났는데 같이 놀자! [oneul sigan dwae? siheomdo da kkeutnassneunde
gati nolja!]
“Do you have time today? The exams are over, so let's play together!”
수빈[subin]: 그래! 어디로 놀러갈까? 뭐 하고 싶은 거 있어? [geurae! eodiro nolleogalkka? mwo hago sipeun geo
isseo?]
“Okay! Where should we go? Is there something you wish to do?”
성재[seongjae]: 음, 일단 밥을 먹으러 갈까? 어떤 거를 먹지… 너 뭐 먹고 싶은 거 있어? [eum, ildan babeul
meogeureo galkka? eotteon georeul meokji… neo mwo meokgo sipeun geo isseo?]
“Shall we go eat first? What should we eat... Is there anything you want to eat?”
수빈[subin]: 그럼 짜장면 먹으러 갈래? 내가 유명한 곳을 알아. [geureom jjajangmyeon meogeureo gallae? naega
yumyeonghan goseul ara.]
“Do you want to go eat jajangmyeon? I know a famous place.”
성재[seongjae]: 좋아! 자리가 없을 수도 있으니까 식당주인께 연락해서 먼저 예약을 잡자. [joha! jariga eopseul
sudo isseunikka sikdangjuinkke yeonrakhaeseo meonjeo yeyageul japja.]
“Good! There may be no seats available, so let's contact the restaurant owner and make a
reservation first.”
수빈[subin]: 알았어. 그럼 몇 시에 예약을 잡을까? [arasseo. geureom myeot sie yeyageul jabeulkka?]
“Okay. Then what time should we make an appointment?”
성재[seongjae: 오후 1 시로 예약을 잡는 게 어때? 그럼 이따 오후 12 시에 공원 입구에서 만나자. [ohu hansiro
yeyageul japneun ge eottae? geureom itta ohu yeoldusie gongwon ipgueseo mannaja.]
“Why don't we make a reservation at 1 p.m.? Then let's meet at the park entrance at 12 p.m.”
수빈[subin]: 그게 좋겠다, 그럼 이따가 보자! [geuge johgessda, geureom ittaga boja!]
“That would be nice. Then see you soon!”
◼ Answer
Exercise 1.
1. 매일 샤워를 해요. [maeil syaworeul haeyo.] “(I) take a shower everyday.”
2. 매일 숙제를 해요. [maeil sukjereul haeyo.] “(I) do homework everyday.”
3. 혜원이 스타벅스에서 커피를 마셔요. [hyewoni seutabeokseueseo keopireul masyeoyo.] “Hyewon drinks
coffee at Starbucks.”
4. 알로이스가 한국어를 공부해요. [alloiseuga hangugeoreul gongbuhaeyo.] “Alois learns Korean.”
5. 민희가 친구를 만나요. [minheega chingureul mannayo.] “Minhee meets friends.”
6. 약속을 지켜요. [yaksogeul jikyeoyo.] “(I) keep a promise.”
7. 사진을 찍어요. [sajineul jjigeoyo.] “(I) take a picture”
Exercise 2.
1. ‘Happiness’가 한국어로 ‘행복’이에요. [haepiniseuga hangugeoro haengbogieyo.] “Happiness is ‘haengbok’ in
Korean.” (Means)
2. 밀가루로 빵을 만들어요. [milgaruro ppangeul mandeureoyo.] “(One) makes bread with flour.” (Means)
3. 저는 콜라로 할래요. [jeoneun kollaro hallaeyo.] “As for me, (I) will have Cola.” (Selection)
4. 오늘은 도서관으로 가요. [oneureun doseogwaneuro gayo.] “As for today, (we) go to the library.” (Direction)
5. 아침 수업을 오후 수업으로 바꿨어요. [achim sueobeul ohu sueobeuro bakkwosseoyo.] “(I) changed the
morning class with an afternoon class.” (Change of state)
6. 축제로 모두가 즐거워했다. [chukjero moduga jeulgeowohaessda.] “Everyone rejoiced because of the
festival.” (Reason)
Exercise 3.
1. 어디에서 일하세요? [eodieseo ilhaseyo?] “Where (do you) work?”
2. 오전 11 시에 서울로 떠나요. [ojeon yeolhansie seoullo tteonayo.] “(I) leave for Seoul at 11 a.m.”
3. 공원에서 만나요. [gongwoneseo mannayo.] “(Let us) meet at the park.”
4. 경찰서에 연락했어요. [gyeongchalseoe yeonrakhaesseoyo.] “(I) contacted the police station.”
5. 친구한테 선물을 받았어요. [chinguhante seonmureul badasseoyo.] “(I) received presents from friends.”
6. 할아버지께 전화할 거예요. [harabeojikke jeonhwahal geoyeyo.] “(I) will make a phone call to grandfather.”
Exercise 4.
1. 한국에서 편지가 왔어요. [hangugeseo pyeonjiga wasseoyo.] “A letter arrived from Korea.”
2. 선생님께 책을 드렸어요. [seonsaengnimkke chaegeul deuryeosseoyo.] “(I) give a book to my teacher.”
3. 김치는 배추로 만들어요. [gimchineun baechuro mandeureoyo.] “As for kimchi, (one) makes it with cabbage”
4. 서현이 빵을 먹어요. [seohyeoni ppangeul meogeoyo.] “Seohyeon eats bread.”
5. 도서관에서 친구를 만나요. [doseogwaneseo chingureul mannayo.] “(I) meet friend at the library.”