#korean postposition

Hello everyone! This is Admin Sun here, today we’re going to talk about Conjunction particles! It’s the last category of the particles. Conjunction particles basically connect things. They are the particles that show that two words are the same status/state. It’s easy if you think of it as words like ‘and’. 

Today I’m going to talk about basic conjunction particles that you need to know while learning Korean! Because in the end learning Korean is half learning all of our particles :D 

There are three main conjunction particles I will talk about today! Just a warning though. All of them are translated into ‘and’. One is usually used in literary/Written style and the other two are mostly used in colloquial/spoken style. We’ll learn the literary style conjunction particle first!

1. 와/과 (usually used in literary style)

와/과 basically translates into ‘And’. For example, 책과 연필 translates into Book and Pencil. Like most particles this one has two forms, 와 being used after no final consonant and 과 being used if the word has a final consonant.

*Examples:

철수가 사과와 포도를 사요. (철수 buys apples and grapes)

식물이 잘 자라려면 물과 햇빛이 필요해. (For a plant to grow well it needs water and sunlight.)

*Differences from the adverbial marking particle 와/과

Noticing the difference from the adverbial marking particle 와/과 and the conjunction particle 와/과 can be hard. Even native speakers have a hard time. The adverbial particle 와/과 translates into ‘with’ and is usually used with words that mean together like 함께 or 같이. For example,

철수와 영희가 학교에 가다 (철수 and 영희 go to school)

In this sentence, the 와 is a conjunction particle.

철수가 영희와 함께 학교에 가다 (철수 goes to school together with 영희)

In this sentence, the 와 is NOT a conjunction particle but an adverbial particle. 

Usually if there is no noun that comes after a 와/과 or if there is a 함께 or 같이 in the sentence it means it’s an adverbial particle and should be translated as ‘with’.

For more information on adverbial particles go to this post.

2.(이)랑 (Usually used in colloquial style)

(이)랑 also translates into ‘and’. If the word ends with a consonant then the form is 이랑, and if the word ends with a vowel the correct form is 랑. Unlike 와/과 which only sticks to the first noun, sometimes people stick (이)랑 to all the nouns as this one is usually used in conversation. For example,

나는 빵이랑 과일이랑 먹었다 (I ate bread and fruit)

3.하고 (Usually used in colloquial style)

This is also a particle that means ‘and’. It only has one form! 

*Examples:

저기 그림하고 연필이 있다. (There is a drawing and a pen)

영희하고 민아가 걸어간다. (영희 and 민아 walk by)

That’s it for today’s lesson! I hope our lesson could help you learn Korean :D

- Written by Admin Sun

Hi. This is Admin Yu! The first grammar lesson of April is the overall introduction of postpositions(particles).

조사 Postposition / Particle

조사(postposition or particle) is a word that is attached to the back of another word to indicate the word’s grammatical role or to add special meaning. A postposition must be attached to a self-reliant word (usually substantive) to be used in a sentence. Because it comes at the back of another word, it’s called postposition. Particle is the alternative name for postposition in Korean. Postpositions can be divided into 격조사(position marking particle), 보조사(assistant postposition), 접속 조사(conjunction postposition) as used.

격조사 Position marking particle / Position marker

Postpositions that assign a word its grammatical role in a sentence are classified as 격조사(position marking particle or position marker). Through the position marking particle, a substantive or a phrase that acts like substantive can be used as 주어(subject), 목적어(object), 서술어(predicate) etc.

주격 조사 : subject marking particle, subject marker ex) 이/가 목적격 조사 : object marking particle, object marker ex) 을/를 보격 조사 : complement marking particle, complement marker ex) 이/가 서술격 조사 : predicate marking particle, predicate marker ex) 이다 관형격 조사 : adnominal marking particle, adnominal marker ex) 의 부사격 조사 : adverbial marking particle, adverbial marker ex) 로, 에게, 에서 호격 조사 : independent word marking particle, independent word marker ex) 아/야

Since a word’s grammatical role can be assigned by the postposition, words can be ordered rather freely in a sentence. Position marking particle can sometimes be omitted.

내가 너를 좋아해. = 너를 내가 좋아해. = 내가 너 좋아해. = I like you.

보조사 Assistant postposition(particle)

Postpositions that add special meanings but don’t assign grammatical roles are classified as 보조사(assistant postposition). These postpositions are often attached to substantives or adverbs.

ex) 은/는, 도, 만, 조차, 마저

나도 너를 좋아해. = I like you too.

접속 조사 Conjunction postposition(particle)

Postpositions that connect two or more words or phrases equally are called 접속 조사(conjunction postposition). Most of them can be translated to “and” or “or”.

ex) 과/와, (이)나, (이)랑, 하고

***

Our grammar lessons of April will be on the Korean postpositions. Postpositions can be a tough concept to understand for those whose first language doesn’t have the postposition system. Understanding the difficulty of the concept, we will be explaining Korean postpositions in full details for April. And our ask box is always open so feel free to ask us any questions!

Hi. This is Admin Do! Today’s grammar lesson is on the adverbial marking particles. If you want to know more about adverbial phrases in Korean, click here!

부사격 조사(adverbial marking particle / adverbial marker)

부사격 조사(adverbial marking particle) is a postposition belonging to 격조사(position marking particle) and is a word that creates a 부사어(adverbial phrase). The number of 부사격 조사(adverbial marking particle) is very large and varied. Here I'm going to summarize just a few things that might be confusing with the other 격조사(position marking particle).

- ‘~에서’

Used after a preceding word indicating location, source, origin, etc. Caution is required when distinguishing from ‘에서’ of 주격조사(subject marking particle)

ex)

서울에서 출발하는 버스를 탔다.(I took a bus leaving Seoul.)

병원에서 주사를 맞았다.(I got an injection at the hospital.)

- ‘~와/과’

Used after a preceding word representing comparison, standard, accompanying, etc. Caution is required when distinguishing from ‘~와/과’ of 접속조사(conjuction postposition).

ex)

오렌지는 자몽과 비슷하게 생겼다.(Oranges look similar to grapefruit.)

영희는 철수와 소풍을 나갔다.(영희 went on a picnic with 철수.)

- ‘~에’

Used after a preceding word indicating time, cause, condition, etc. There is a great deal of uses. There is also ‘에’ of 접속 조사(conjuction postposition) that connects two or more things in the same qualification.

ex)

나는 밤에 바나나를 먹었다.(I ate a banana at night.)

더위에 얼음이 녹았다.(Ice melted in the heat.)

- ‘~고/라고’

Used after a quotation. Select and use ‘~고’, ‘~라고’, depending on the type of quote. Use ‘~라고’ after quotations that primarily use “ ”.

ex)

철수가 “나는 배가 고파.”라고 말했다.(철수 said, “I'm hungry.”)

택배가 6시에 도착한다고 했다.(The package was said to arrive at six o’clock.)

- Written by Admin Do

Hi. This is Admin Yu! Today’s grammar lesson is on 서술격 조사(predicate marking particle or predicate marker). To fully understand the predicate marking particle, please check out the previous lessons below!

Fundamental Constituents(주성분) Part 2 : Predicate & Object

Postposition Introduction(조사)

Verbs&Adjectives(용언) -> for more info on conjugation

Predicate marking particle / Predicate marker : 이다

Postposition 이다 is the 서술격 조사(predicate marking particle or predicate marker). Predicate marker is a postposition that can make a word or a phrase work as predicate. There is only one predicate marker in Korean and that is 이다.

If the word its attached to ends with a vowel, 이 can be omitted leaving only the 다 part.

ex) 이것은 나무이다. = 이것은 나무다. = This is (a) tree.

이다 is like the “is(be)” in English. 이다 can indicate the subject’s attribute, behavior, or condition or specify what the subject is indicating. Here are some examples of 이다 used in sentences:

시간은 금이다.

Time is gold.

Emma가 꿈꾸는 직업은 변호사다.

The job Emma is dreaming of is lawyer.

그는 언제나 긍정적이다.

He is always positive.

활용 Conjugation

Unlike other postpositions that can’t change their forms, 이다 can be conjugated. In other words, the form of 이다 can be changed to add meanings just like other verbs and adjectives in Korean.

이것은 책이다.

This is (a) book.

책이- works as the 어간(stem) and -다 works as the 어미(ending). When conjugated, 책이- part stays the same while the -다 part changes. Here are some examples of conjugation:

이것이 책이니?

Is this (a) book?

이것이 책이면 찢어라.

If this is (a) book, rip it.

이것은 책이었다.

This was (a) book.

Hi! This is Admin Do. Today’s grammar lesson is on assistant postpositions. If you want more info on postpositions, click here!

보조사 (Assistant Postposition)

보조사 is one type of 조사(Postposition), and is a postposition that adds special meaning to 체언(substantive), 부사(adverb), 활용 어미(conjugated ending), and so on. There are a lot of assistant postpositions since the majority of the postpostions, except 격조사(position marking particle) and 접속 조사(conjuction postposition), are assistant postpostiton. So I picked some of the most used assistant postpositions to introduce today.

- ‘~은/는’

Used to emphasize, contrast, etc.

ex)

우유는 먹어도 치즈는 못 먹는다.(I can drink milk but I can't eat cheese.)

아무리 졸려도 드라마는 보고 자야 한다.(No matter how sleepy I am, I have to watch the drama and sleep.)

- ‘~만’

Used to indicate solitude, selection, etc. Usually translated to “only”.

ex)

나는 딸기만 좋아한다.(I only like strawberries.)

5개 중에서 2개만 새싹이 돋았다.(Only two of the five have sprouted buds.)

- ‘~도’

Used to indicate inclusion, limitations, etc.

ex)

누구도 여기서 나갈 수 없다.(No one can get out of here.)

케이크를 먹었는데 사탕도 먹고 싶다.(Although I ate cake, I want to eat a candy too.)

- ‘~부터’

Used to indicate the start, first, etc.

ex)

이것은 철수로부터 온 편지다.(This is a letter from 철수.)

어머니부터 밥을 드셨다.(Mother ate first.)

- ‘~까지’

Used to indicate effects(how far something affected), etc.

ex)

기름이 여기까지 튀었다. (The oil spattered all the way here.)

- Written by Admin Do

Hi! 안녕하세요. This is Admin Na. And today I’m going to talk about the adnominal marking particle and independent word marking particle.

What is an adnominal marking particle?

In a sentence, an adnominal marking particle indicating that the preceding saying is the tubular language of the following saying.

의: UI: Of

Ex)

A study of scents: 향의 연구

A handful of sand: 한 줌의 모래

A song of love: 사랑의 노래

The season of reading: 독서의 계절

The cooking of today's: 오늘의 요리

The goal of one: 하나의 목표

A life of ten days: 열흘만의 생환

As you can see, the relationship of two noun phrases doesn't always have to be the relationship between the possessor and the possession relationship, such as 윌리엄의 튜바 "William's tuba." The first noun is typically the possessor, and the second noun is the possession.

So "UI" must be understood as a particle which makes two nouns into a conventional relationship of a modifier and a modificand to make a bigger noun phrase, rather than being understood as a particle which has a function that shows a certain meaning and gives the meaning relationship to two nouns.

What is an independent word marking particle?

The formal name of this particle is an "independent word marking particle". However, the name is far from the function itself that the particle does in the sentence since this concept doesn't exist in English.

This particle is really putting the noun into the position of the call to make it an independent language.

아/야: Ah/Ya, (이)여: Yeo, (하) Ha

Ex)

Gil-dong, hurry up and come out.: 길동아, 빨리 나와

Young-hee, have a meal: 영희야, 밥 먹어라.

Heaven, please listen to my prayer.: 하늘이시여, 제발 제 기도를 들어주세요.

In middle age, there was also a 'Ha' in the independent word marking particle. 'Ha' was used for the royals, nobels, ministries and gods in order to show the respect. furthermore sometimes it forms the apostrophe too.

Ex)

Moon, raise your head.: 달하 노피곰 도다샤

Oh, my lord, listen to me again.: 아소 님하 도람 드르샤 괴오쇼셔

Dear Sejon.: 세존하

REVIEW TEST

1. What is the only adnominal particle? Please write the answer in english, korean, and also the pronunciation.

A: 의: Ui (of)

2. Write an example that includes an adnominal particle.

A:  A study of scents, a handful of sand etc(you can make tons of them!)

3. What are the two independent words marking particle we use? Please write the answer in Koran, and also the pronunciation.

A: 아/야: Ah/Ya, (이)여: Yeo

- Written by Admin Na

Hi. This is Admin Do! Today’s grammar lesson is on two types of position marking particle, the subject marking particles and complement marking particles. If you wonder what a position marking particle is, please click here!

주격 조사(subject marking particle / subject marker)

A subject marking particle is a postposition belonging to position marking particle and is a word that creates a subject.

- ‘~이/가’

Use ‘이’ when the preceding word has a consonant, and ‘가’ when the preceding word has no consonant. Caution is required when distinguishing from 보격조사(complement marking particle).

ex)

비빔밥이 맛있다. (비빔밥Bibimbap is delicious.)

달이 노랗다. (The moon is yellow.)

영희가 밥을 먹는다. (영희 is eating.)

비가 내린다. (The rain is falling. = It's raining.)

- ‘~께서’

Use ‘께서’ when the preceding word is the object of honorific titles.

ex)

할머니께서 김치를 보내주셨다.(My grandmother sent me kimchi.)

선생님께서 밥을 드신다.(The teacher is having a meal.)

- ‘~에서’

Used when the preceding word is a group heartlessness noun.

ex)

학생회에서 안내 말씀 드립니다. (The student council is informing you. = Attention from the student council.)

보격 조사(complement marking particle / complement marker)

A complement marking particle is a postposition belonging to position marking particle and is a word that creates a complement.

- ‘~이/가’

보격조사(complement marking particle) admits only ‘~이/가’. Caution is required when distinguishing from 주격조사(subject marking particle).

ex)

철수는 선생님이 되었다. (철수 became a teacher.)

주격 조사는 보격 조사가 아니다.(Subject marking particle is not complement marking particle.)

+) The difference between ‘~이/가’ of 주격조사(subject marking particle) and ‘~이/가’ of 보격조사(complement marking particle)!

주격조사(subject marking particle) and 보격조사(complement marking particle) have the same form, which can be confusing. 보격조사(complement marking particle) is easily distinguishable by identifying whether or not the ‘되다/아니다’ is required.

- Written by Admin Do

Hello everyone! This is Admin Sun here, today we’re going to talk about object marking particles! The object markers are part of the ‘격조사’ (Position marker), particles that indicate the grammatical relationship between the word and other words.

을/를

Specifically, these object particles indicate that the word it sticks to is the object of the sentence. This particle is very common and used a lot, just like the subject marking particles that we learned about a few days ago with Admin Do. 

Just like the subject marking particles before, there are two forms to this object particle. It depends on whether there is a final consonant or not. The 을 for when a word ends with a consonant, and a 를 for when a word ends with a vowel.

For example, in the sentence 내가 사과를 먹다 (I eat an apple) you can see that since the word 사과(apple) ends with vowel, the form ‘를’ is used. However, if we change the word to 빵 (bread), which ends in a consonant, then the proper form would be ‘을’, so the sentence would look like this: 내가 빵을 먹다 (I eat bread)

Here’s more example sentences of the object particles being used!

민수가 책을 읽고 있다. (민수 is reading a book)

선생님께서 민수를 부르셨다 (The teacher called 민수)

내가 핸드폰을 보고 있다. (I am looking at my phone) 

내일 나는 영화를 볼 것이다. (I will watch a movie tomorrow.)

영희는 노래를 듣고 있다. (영희 is listening to music)

나는 손을 씻고 있다. (I am washing my hands)

그녀는 그림을 그리고 있다. (She is drawing a picture)

That’s it for today’s lesson! I hope this was helpful! If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask us :D 

- Written by Admin Sun