Grammar · Particles

은 / 는, the topic particle

Pattern

[Topic] 은 / 는 [comment]

은/는 marks what the sentence is about, so think of it as 'as for'. Use 는 after a vowel (저는) and 은 after a consonant (선생님은). Because it singles out one thing, it often carries a quiet contrast: 'as for coffee, yes; as for beer, no'.

The mistake to avoid

It is not the subject particle. That is 이/가, and learners overuse 은/는 because English has no equivalent to either. See the next entry.

Examples

Romanisation help

저는 영국 사람이에요.

jeoneun yeongguk saramieyo.

I am British.

이 사람은 제 친구예요.

i sarameun je chinguyeyo.

This is my friend.

커피는 좋아해요. 맥주는 안 좋아해요.

keopineun joahaeyo. maekjuneun an joahaeyo.

Coffee I like. Beer I do not.

오늘은 날씨가 좋아요.

oneureun nalssiga joayo.

The weather is nice today.