Korean grammar - The difference between 이/가 and 은/는 |
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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. |
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날씨가 좋다.
The weather is nice.
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오늘은 날씨가 좋아요.
Today the weather is nice.
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누가 전화해요?
Who is calling (on the phone)?
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수진은 지금 요리해요.
Sujin is cooking.
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친구가 있어요.
(I) have a friend.
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그는 일본인이다.
He is Japanese.
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친구는 미국인이 아니에요.
(My) friend is not American.
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그는 여동생이 있어요.
He has a sister.
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그는 형제가 없어요.
He does not have a brother.
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기분이 좋아요.
(I) feel good. / (My) mood is good.
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그녀가 방에 없어요.
She's not in the room.
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엄마는 지금 일해요.
Mom is working now.
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