Learn Korean | Learn Korean Grammar 01 - N은/는

Hello~Welcome to Basic Korean.

This is the first grammar lesson and in this lesson, we're going to learn a Korean grammar 'N은/는.'

If you want to listen to this lesson in Korean (with English subtitles), please watch the below video. 

🎬 Korean Grammar Video 01: https://youtu.be/X6P1wU-Rbo8

🌲Korean Grammar 01: N-은/는

(You can have this content in Korean.)

Let's look at examples first and see how today's grammar is used.

1. A short conversation

Korean Grammar '은/는' example

[Translation]

- 저는 김미소예요. (I am Kim Miso.)

- 제 직업은 선생님이에요. (My job is a teacher.)

Here, today's grammar is '저는, 직업은.' Let's look at today's grammar!

2. Usage

Korean Grammar '은/는' usage

• '은/는' attaches after a noun.
• Topic marker: '은/는' indicates that the preceding noun is the topic of the sentence.
• 주제 = topic

Let's look at two example sentences.

Examples of Korean Grammar '은/는'

✎ '저는 김미소예요.' which means 'I am Kim Miso.

⇨ '는' attaches after '저 (which means 'I') that indicates '저' is the topic of the sentence. 

⇨ The sentence is talking about '저.'

✎ '제 직업은 선생님이에요.' which means 'I am Kim Miso.'

⇨ '은' attaches after '직업 (which means 'job') that indicates '직업' is the topic of the sentence. 

⇨ The sentence is talking about '직업.'

Now let's find out a combination information

3. Combination information

3.1. A noun with a final consonant: +은

a noun with a final consonant + 은

• When a noun has the final consonant, '은' is used.

• 직업 (job) ➝ 직업은
• The last character of '직업' is '업.'
• There is the final consonant 'ㅂ' in '업.'
• Add '은'
• So it becomes '직업은.'

3.2. A noun without a final consonant: +는

a noun without a final consonant + 는

• When a noun does not the final consonant, '는' is used.

• 저 (I) ➝저는
• There no final consonant in '저.'
• Add '는'
• So it becomes '저는.'

3.3. Summary of combination information '은/는'

Korean Grammar Combination chart: '은/는'

Now, let's practice!

4. Practice 

4.1. Practice 1

1. 이름 (=name) + 은/는?

Korean Grammar '은/는' practice

• When you look at the last character of '이름,' it has the final consonant 'ㄹ' in '름.'
• Then add '은.'
• It becomes '이름은.'

2. 학생 (=student) + 은/는?

Korean Grammar '은/는' practice

• When you look at the last character of '학생,' it has the final consonant 'ㅇ' in '생.'
• Then add '은.'
• It becomes '학생은.'

3. 가수 (=singer) + 은/는?

Korean Grammar '은/는' practice

• When you look at the last character of '가수,' it does not have the final consonant in '수.'
• Then add '는.'
• It becomes '가수는.'

4. 배우 (=actoer/actress) + 은/는?

Korean Grammar '은/는' practice

• When you look at the last character of '배우,' it does not have the final consonant in '우.'
• Then add '는.'
• It becomes '배우는.'

Here is the summary of practice 1.

Korean Grammar '은/는' practice

4.2. Practice 2

What should be in ❓? 은 or 는?

Korean Grammar '은/는' practice

[Answer & Translation]

✎ 저❓ 박민영이에요. (=I am Park Minyoung.)

⇨ The answer is '저는 박민영이에요.'

• '저' does not have the final consonant.
• Then add '는.'
• It becomes '저는.'

✎ 제 직업❓ 배우예요. (=I am an actor/actress.)

⇨ The answer is '제 직업은 배우예요.'

• '직업' has the final consonant 'ㅂ.'
• Then add '은.'
• It becomes '직업은.'

✎ 제 이름❓ 다니엘이에요. (=My name is Daniel.)

⇨ The answer is '제 이름은 다니엘이에요.'

• '이름' has the final consonant 'ㅁ.'
• Then add '은.'
• It becomes '이름은.'

4.3. Practice 3

Let's complete the sentence.

1. Ask and answer name

Korean Grammar '은/는' practice

[Answer & Translation]

- 미소: 이름이 뭐예요? (=What is your name?)

- 나나: (❓❓) 나나예요.

What should be in (❓❓)?

⇨ You can say either
   '저는 나나예요.' (= I am Nana.)
   or '제 이름은 나나예요.' (My name is Nana.)

2. Ask and answer a job

Korean Grammar '은/는' practice

[Answer & Translation]

- 미소: 직업이 뭐예요? (=What is your job?)

- 나나: (❓❓) 선생님이에요. (=I am a teacher.)

What should be in (❓❓)?

⇨ You can say either
   '저는 선생님이에요.' (I am a teacher.)
   or '제 직업은 선생님이에요.' (My job is a teacher.)

Today we've learned 'N은/는.' '은/는' indicates that the preceding noun is the topic of the sentence.

That's all for today.

Thank you!