Korean grammar - The contrastive function of the *Topic marker* |
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While it is usually to have the Topic marker appear just once in a phrase (or phrase grouping), when it does appear a second time, it implies a contrast is being made. Often the contrast is reenforced by connecting clauses with 그런데 (but, however, on the other hand) or 그러나 (but, however). The English equivalent is attaching 'in contrast' to a noun. If there is no direct comparison in the sentence (just one noun), then it can mean ‘as for A,’ ‘with regard to A,’ or ‘when it comes to A.’ And when used in a question, without a contrasting phrases, it can mean 'what about?' |
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커피는 비싸요. 그런데 빵은 싸요.
The coffee is expensive. But bread (in contrast) is cheap. |
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저는 사과를 먹어요. 그러나 친구는 포도를 먹어요.
I'm eating apples. But (my) friend (in contrast) is eating grapes. |
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저는 사과를 좋아하지만 친구는 안 좋아해요.
I like apples but (my) friend (in contrast) does not like (them). |
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영수씨는 학생이지만 저는 회사원이에요.
Youngsu is a student but I (in contrast) am an employee. |
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오늘 서울 날씨는 덥지만 어제는 추웠어요.
Today the weather in Seoul is hot but yesterday (in contrast) it was cold. |
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영어는 잘 하지만 한국어는 잘 못 해요.
(I) speak English well but Korean (in contrast) (I) can't (speak) well.
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맥주는 좋아하지만 소주는 싫어해요.
I like beer but Soju (in contrast) (I) don't like. |
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저는 키가 크지만 동생은 키가 작아요.
I am tall, but (my) brother is short. |
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저는 매운 음식을 좋아하지만 친구는 안 좋아해요.
I like spicy food, but (my) friend doesn't. |
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김치찌개는 좋아하지만 된장찌개는 안 좋아해요.
(I) like kimchi stew, but (I) don't like soybean paste stew. |
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버스가 느려요. 그러나 지하철은 빨라요.
The bus is slow. But the subway is fast. |
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날씨는, 비가 와요.
As for the weather, it is raining.
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밥은 먹지만 빵은요?
(You) are eating rice, but (what about) bread? |
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Note that the verb for speaking a language is 
No direct contrast so it means 'as for' or 'with regard to'