Korean grammar - The difference between 이/가 and 은/는

The difference between 이/가 and 은/는

We now have more vocabulary and grammar at our disposal that allows us to better explain the difference between the particles 이/가 and 은/는.

As we have seen, 은/는 is called the Topic marker and 이/가 is called the Subject marker.

-- The subject marker 이/가 indicates the focus of the sentence - it marks what we are really talking about.

-- The topic maker 은/는 indicates the topic but de-emphasises it or puts the focus elsewhere.

BUT REMEMBER: we always have to use 이/가 with the negative 아니에요 (is not).

AND REMEMBER: the subject of the verbs 있다/없다 most frequently use 이/가.

The Topic marker 은/는 is also called the Contrastive marker and is used to show contrast or emphasise a noun. More about this in a later topic.

Examples:
	날씨가 좋다. The weather is nice. 날씨 (the weather) is clearly the subject of the sentence - it is what the verb refers to.
	오늘은 날씨가 좋아요. Today the weather is nice. But now, while 날씨 remains the subject and focus, the topic is 오늘 (today).
	누가 전화해요? Who is calling (on the phone)? 누구 (who) is clearly the subject and focus of the sentence Recall the 누구 (who) + 가 (subject marker) contracts to 누가
	수진은 지금 요리해요. Sujin is cooking. While 수진 is the subject of the sentence, using the topic marker moves the focus away from her to what she is doing - that is cooking.
	친구가 있어요. (I) have a friend. 친구 is the subject and focus.
	그는 일본인이다. He is Japanese. 그 (he) is now de-emphasised and focus on the fact that he is Japanese.
	친구는 미국인이 아니에요. (My) friend is not American. Use 이/가 with negatives.
	그는 여동생이 있어요. He has a sister. The subject of the verbs 있다/없다 typically take 이/가.
	그는 형제가 없어요. He does not have a brother. The subject of the verbs 있다/없다 typically take 이/가.
	기분이 좋아요. (I) feel good. / (My) mood is good. 기분 is clearly the subject of the sentence - it is what the verb refers to.
	그녀가 방에 없어요. She's not in the room. 그녀 is the subject and focus.
	엄마는 지금 일해요. Mom is working now. While 엄마 is the subject of the sentence, using the topic marker moves the focus away from her to what she is doing - that is working.