Let's Learn Korea #4 [ENGLISH]

Korean Topic Marker 은/는 follows a noun, indicating that it is the topic under discussion. The topic is often not necessarily the same as the subject. Rather, the topic marker appears when one wants to stress a new topic. Like when introducing yourself in Korean, this topic functions like this gesture, emphasizing each person in turn. Topic marker 은 directly follows words that end in a consonant (with batchim), while 는 is used after words ending in a vowel (without batchim). For example, 저 is a Korean character ending with a vowel (without batchim). Therefore, it is a noun ending with a vowel. In this case, 는 will be place behind 저 and become 저는. On the other hand, when a nouns ending with a consonant (with batchim), 은 will be place behind it. Do you remember what is batchim? Refer Korean Consonants 3. See examples below:

Ending with a vowel

* 저는 박정수예요. [ jeo-neun-bak-jeong-su-ye-yo ] - I am Park Jung Soo.
* 저는 학생이에요. [ jeo-neun-hak-saeng-i-e-yo ] - I am a student.
* 애니씨는 인도네시아 사람이에요. [ ae-ni-ssi-neun-in-do-ne-si-a-sa-ram-i-e-yo ] - Annie is Indonesian.

Ending with a consonants

* 카르멘은 간호사예요. [ ka-reu-men-eun-gan-ho-sa-ye-yo ] - Carmen is a nurse.
* 선생님은 미국 사람이에요. [ seon-saeng-nim-eun-mi-guk-sa-rami-e-yo ] - The teacher is American.
* 이분은 호주 사람이에요. [ i-bun-eun-ho-ju-sa-ram-i-e-yo ] - This gentleman/lady is Australian.

Sometimes, in Korean, the subject is often omitted when it is obvious to the other person.

* 저는 박정수예요 = 박정수예요. - I am Park Jung Soo.
* 엘리스씨는 의사예요? = 의사예요? - Is Alice doctor? Or Alice, are you doctor?
* 선생님은 미국 사람이에요? = 미국 사람이에요? - Is teacher American? Or teacher, are you American?

분 has the same meaning with 사람 both mean person in Korean, but Korean people use 분 when they are mentioning a person that is older or a respective person, is more formal than 사람 even though both of them have the same meaning. 씨 can be added behind a Korean name as a term of address.


감 사합니다 - Thank you!

Src :
http://www.emagasia.com/