Korean Particles Guide: 은/는 vs 이/가 Explained- Tips & Guides

Struggling with 은/는 and 이/가? Learn Korean particles with real-life conversation examples, interactive exercises and AI pronunciation feedback. Start speaking confidently today.

Why Korean Particles Are So Confusing (은/는/이/가)

If you've tried to learn korean for a while, you've probably met your first big "why is this like this?" moment with Korean particles: 은, 는, 이, and 가.

Even if you already use language learning applications or a language study app like the duolingo app, particles can still feel confusing. You can read the korean alphabet, you know how to say hello in korean and thank you in korean, but when it comes to korean grammar, your brain freezes at these tiny endings.

If that's you, you're not alone. Let's walk through this together in a calm, simple way so you can finally feel confident with 은/는/이/가 in real conversation.

1. What are Korean particles, really?

In the korean language, particles are small endings that attach to nouns. They show what role that noun has in the sentence. English mostly uses word order and prepositions. Korean uses particles.

Think of them like little labels:

• "This is the topic we're talking about." → 은/는
• "This is the doer of the action (subject)." → 이/가

So instead of saying:

"As for this… / This thing… / This person…"

Korean just marks the noun with 은/는.

And instead of:

"This person is the one who did it."

Korean uses 이/가.

Once you see them as tiny labels, they already feel less scary.

2. The simple difference: 은/는 vs 이/가

Let's start with the most basic pattern.

은/는 = topic marker ("as for…", general info)

Use 은/는 when you are introducing or changing the main topic, or when you're talking about something in a general, broad way.

저는 학생이에요.

저는 학생이에요.

As for me, I'm a student.

Here, 저는 tells the listener: "Now I'm going to talk about me."

Another example:

한국어는 재미있어요.

As for Korean, it's fun.

You're making a general comment about Korean as a language.

이/가 = subject marker (who/what did it)

Use 이/가 when you want to highlight who or what is doing the action, or when you introduce something new or surprising.

누가 왔어요?

Who came?

친구가 왔어요.

My friend came.

Here, 친구가 answers the question "who?" so 가 is perfect.

Another example:

비가 와요.

It's raining.

You're introducing something happening now. The "subject" (rain) is new information.

3. Same noun, different feeling: 은/는 vs 이/가 in action

Sometimes both are technically possible, but the feeling changes.

1) 저는 학생이에요 vs 제가 학생이에요

• 저는 학생이에요.
  As for me, I'm a student.
  → Neutral, simple introduction.

• 제가 학생이에요.
  I'm the one who is a student.
  → Slight emphasis. Maybe someone is confused, and you correct them.

2) 한국어는 쉬워요 vs 한국어가 쉬워요

• 한국어는 쉬워요.

  As for Korean, it's easy (in general / compared to something else).

• 한국어가 쉬워요.

  Korean is the one that's easy (not another language).

If you were comparing languages, you might say:

일본어는 어려운데 한국어가 쉬워요.

Japanese is hard, but Korean is easy.

Here, 는 sets up a contrast for Japanese, and 가 highlights Korean as the "easy one."

4. Three common mistakes (and how to fix them)

If this feels hard at first, that's completely normal. You're doing great – let's keep going.

Mistake 1: Using only one particle for everything

Many learners pick one favorite, usually 은/는, and use it everywhere. This makes your Korean understandable, but sometimes a bit flat or unnatural.

Fix: Practice pairs:

• 저는… / 제가…
• 친구는… / 친구가…
• 오늘은… / 오늘이…

Say them out loud in mini sentences. This builds a natural "feeling" for when each is used.

Mistake 2: Forgetting pronunciation with real sentences

You might read about particles, but when you actually speak, your tongue gets stuck. Especially if you only study with text and don't hear real voices.

Fix: Combine grammar with speaking. Read short dialogues out loud. Use an app or tool with AI pronunciation so you can copy native speakers and get feedback while you learn korean online.

Mistake 3: Trying to translate word-for-word from English

If you always think, "What is the English subject?" and "What is the topic?" your brain will get tired quickly.

Fix: Ask simpler questions:

1. "Am I talking about this as the main topic?" → Try 은/는.
2. "Am I highlighting who/what did it or answering who/what?" → Try 이/가.

Over time, your intuition grows, just like when you first learned the korean alphabet.

5. A simple three-step choice guide

When you're stuck between 은/는 and 이/가, try this:

Step 1: Is this new information?

If you're introducing something new in the conversation, 이/가 is often used.

고양이가 있어요.

There is a cat. (You're mentioning it for the first time.)

Step 2: Are you contrasting or changing topic?

If you're comparing things, or switching to a new topic, 은/는 works well.

저는 한국어를 공부해요. 친구는 일본어를 공부해요.

I study Korean. My friend studies Japanese.

Here, 저는 and 친구는 clearly contrast you and your friend.

Step 3: Are you answering "who/what?" directly?

When someone asks:

누가 했어요?

Who did it?

Your answer almost always uses 이/가:

제가 했어요.

I did it.

Try applying this three-step process whenever you build a sentence. It trains you to think in Korean patterns instead of translating from English.

6. Real-life examples you can reuse today

Let's look at some everyday phrases you can borrow and adapt.

1. 오늘은 날씨가 좋아요.

   As for today, the weather is nice.
   → 오늘은 (topic: today), 날씨가 (subject: the weather).

2. 저는 커피가 좋아요.

   As for me, I like coffee.

3. 여기는 조용해요.
   Here, it's quiet.
   (Here 여기 is understood as topic from context.)

4. 고양이는 귀여워요.

   As for cats, they're cute. (Cats in general.)

5. 이 고양이가 귀여워요.

   This cat is cute. (This specific one.)

Try changing just one part:

• 오늘은 → 지금은, 주말은, 집에서는
• 커피가 → 차가, 한국어가, 음악이

This kind of "pattern play" is powerful for korean for beginners, because you practice real sentences instead of just reading rules.

7. How to practice particles in real conversations

Particles are learned best in context, not by memorizing charts.
Here are a few gentle, practical ways to build real skill:

1) Shadow short dialogues

Listen to short, natural conversations and repeat exactly what you hear. Look at the transcript and circle all 은/는/이/가. Notice:

• When do they appear with topics like "today," "I," or "my friend"?
• When do they appear after the subject that answers "who/what?"

2) Record yourself and compare

Choose 3–5 simple sentences:

• 저는 한국어를 공부해요.
• 친구가 집에 있어요.
• 오늘은 피곤해요.

Record yourself saying them. Then listen and check: did you use 은/는/이/가 correctly? Did it sound close to the native recording you studied from?

3) Use an app that focuses on speaking

If you mainly read, particles will always feel a bit abstract. Look for language learning applications that give you:

• Real-life dialogues you can copy
• AI pronunciation feedback
• Short, focused lessons on korean grammar you can actually use when you speak

This kind of focused, speaking-first practice is one of the fastest ways to learn korean online in a way that actually sticks.

8. Putting it all together

Let's quickly recap the heart of 은/는/이/가:

• 은/는: sets the topic or contrast. "As for… / speaking of…"
• 이/가: marks the subject or highlights "who/what" did it, often with new or important information.

You don't need to be perfect from day one. What matters is that you start noticing these patterns in the korean language you hear and read, and that you practice using them in short, real sentences.

If particles still feel confusing, that's okay. It means you're going deeper into the language. Keep combining clear explanations like this with speaking practice, and each week they will feel a little more natural.

You've got this. Keep going – every sentence you try brings you one step closer to feeling comfortable and confident in Korean.