은/는 (eun, neun) · 이/가 (i, ga)
Both 은/는 and 이/가 mark the subject, but 은/는 emphasizes the topic or contrast, while 이/가 highlights new information or a specific subject.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Subject marker used to emphasize topic or contrast
When to use
topic emphasis, contrast expression, general fact statement, known information
The nuance
은/는 is used to indicate the topic in a sentence or to emphasize contrast or general facts. It often refers to known information or the topic rather than the grammatical subject.
Subject marker used to indicate new information or a specific subject
When to use
new information, specific subject, subject clarification, important information
The nuance
이/가 is used to clearly mark the subject in a sentence, especially when providing new information or emphasizing a specific subject. It serves the grammatical subject role and is suitable for conveying important information.
저는 학생입니다.
jeo-neun hak-saeng-ip-ni-da., jeo neun hak saeng ip ni da.
은/는 marks the topic, so it's appropriate to introduce '저' as the topic.
저가 학생입니다.
jeo-ga hak-saeng-ip-ni-da., jeo ga hak saeng ip ni da.
'저가' is incorrect; '저' should take '는'.
누가 왔어요? 철수가 왔어요.
nu-ga wass-eo-yo? cheol-su-ga wass-eo-yo., nu ga wass eo yo? cheol su ga wass eo yo.
이/가 is suitable for new information or clarifying the subject; '철수' is clearly marked as subject.
누는 왔어요? 철는 왔어요.
nu-neun wass-eo-yo? cheol-neun wass-eo-yo., nu neun wass eo yo? cheol neun wass eo yo.
'누는' and '철는' are non-existent and incorrect subject markers.
오늘은 날씨가 좋다.
o-neul-eun nal-ssi-ga joh-da., o neul eun nal ssi ga joh da.
은/는 sets '오늘' as the topic, appropriate for describing weather conditions.
오늘가 날씨가 좋다.
o-neul-ga nal-ssi-ga joh-da., o neul ga nal ssi ga joh da.
'오늘가' is incorrect; '오늘은' is the correct form.
사과가 맛있다.
sa-gwa-ga mas-iss-da., sa gwa ga mas iss da.
이/가 is used to indicate a specific subject, conveying new information that the apple is delicious.
사과는 맛있다.
sa-gwa-neun mas-iss-da., sa gwa neun mas iss da.
은/는 is used for general facts or topic emphasis, so it's appropriate to state apples are delicious generally.
Choose the correct particle in: "철수___ 학교에 갔어요."
Which particle correctly indicates the topic?
"사과___ 맛있다." (stating a general fact)
Which particle is appropriate when answering "누가 왔어요?"?
