N은/는

About, regarding, as for

Explanation
  1. 은/는 designates the topic, or the target of exposition, of a particular sentence or group of sentences. Thus it means the same as 'as for' or 'regarding'. For words ending in a vowel, is added, and for words ending in a consonant, is added.

  2. 은/는 is also used when referring to something mentioned earlier in a conversation or when talking about something already known by both sides in the conversation. In other words, 은/는 is used when expressing 'old' information.

  3. 은/는 is used when comparing or contrasting two things, and, in such cases, it can be attached not only to subjects but also the objects or other parts of the sentence.

Details

Kimchi Reader

Mark the topic of the sentence

Details

Usage

  • We add - after a word that ends in a vowel.

  • We add - after a word that ends with a consonant.

Evocation

The 은/는 particle can also be used to refer to something mentioned earlier in the conversation or to evoke something already known by both sides in the conversation.

Comparison

The 은/는 particle is used to express comparison or contrast. In this case, it can attached to more than just subjects.

솨과를 좋아해요. 배 싫어해요.
I like apples. However, I dislike pears.
우리에게도 문제 있다.
We also have a problem.

Formal language

When using formal language, we use the particle 께서는 (께서 + 은/는). Unlike the 은/는 particle, the 께서는 particle does not change depending on whether the preceding word ends in a vowel or a consonant.

Spoken language

When spoken, the particle is sometimes replaced by , this is a contraction.

글쎄, 잘 모르겠어요.
Well, I am not sure.
가끔 바보처럼 굴거든.
He sometimes acts like a fool.

Examples
저<span class='focus'>는</span> 학생입니다.
I am a student.
카멜레온 혀<span class='focus'>는</span> 번개처럼 빨라요.
The chameleon's tongue is as fast as lightning.
설탕<span class='focus'>은</span> 사탕처럼 단맛이에요.
Sugar is sweet like candy.

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