주격(ju-gyeok, jugyeok)
Case particle indicating the subject in a sentence
When to use
subject marking, subject emphasis, verb agent role
The nuance
주격 marks the subject, usually with '이/가', indicating the doer or topic of the action.
주격 vs 목적격 vs 보격: Distinguishing Sentence Roles
주격 (ju-gyeok, jugyeok) · 목적격 (mok-jeok-gyeok, mokjeokgyeok) · 보격 (bo-gyeok, bogyeok)
주격, 목적격, and 보격 each mark the subject, object, and complement roles in a sentence, and must be distinguished accurately based on sentence structure and meaning.
Word-by-word breakdown
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
목적격(mok-jeok-gyeok, mokjeokgyeok)
Case particle indicating the direct object in a sentence
When to use
direct object, verb target, action receiver
The nuance
목적격 marks the direct object, usually with '을/를', indicating the receiver of the action.
보격(bo-gyeok, bogyeok)
Case particle indicating the complement of the predicate
When to use
predicate complement, subject state description, distinguish from subject
The nuance
보격 connects the subject and predicate, usually with '이/가', indicating the subject's state or identity as a complement.
Real-world examples
철수가 사과를 먹는다.
cheol-su-ga sa-gwa-reul meok-neun-da., cheol su ga sa gwa reul meok neun da.
'철수' is the subject, so the subject marker '가' is appropriate.
철수를 사과가 먹는다.
cheol-su-reul sa-gwa-ga meok-neun-da., cheol su reul sa gwa ga meok neun da.
'철수' is the subject but marked with object particle '를', which is incorrect.
철수가 사과를 먹는다.
cheol-su-ga sa-gwa-reul meok-neun-da., cheol su ga sa gwa reul meok neun da.
'사과' is the direct object of the verb, so the object marker '를' is correct.
철수가 사과가 먹는다.
cheol-su-ga sa-gwa-ga meok-neun-da., cheol su ga sa gwa ga meok neun da.
'사과' is the object but marked with subject particle '가', which is wrong.
철수가 선생님이다.
cheol-su-ga seon-saeng-nim-i-da., cheol su ga seon saeng nim i da.
'선생님' is the complement, linking to subject '철수' with complement particle '이' appropriately.
철수가 선생님을이다.
cheol-su-ga seon-saeng-nim-eul-i-da., cheol su ga seon saeng nim eul i da.
Using object particle '을' with a complement is incorrect.
나는 학생이다.
na-neun hak-saeng-i-da., na neun hak saeng i da.
'학생' is the complement, connected to subject '나' with complement marker '이다'.
나는 학생을이다.
na-neun hak-saeng-eul-i-da., na neun hak saeng eul i da.
Attaching object particle '을' to a complement is incorrect.
Quick quiz
Which particle is used to mark the subject?
주어를 표시할 때 사용하는 조사는?(ju-eo-reulpyo-si-halttaesa-yong-ha-neunjo-sa-neun?, jueoreulpyosihalttaesayonghaneunjosaneun?)Which particle marks the direct object of a verb?
동사의 직접 목적어를 나타내는 조사는?(dong-sa-uijik-jeopmok-jeok-eo-reulna-ta-nae-neunjo-sa-neun?, dongsauijikjeopmokjeokeoreulnatanaeneunjosaneun?)Which particle functions as the predicate complement?
서술어의 보어 역할을 하는 조사는?(seo-sul-eo-uibo-eoyeok-hal-eulha-neunjo-sa-neun?, seosuleouiboeoyeokhaleulhaneunjosaneun?)
More comparisons to explore
- 목적격 vs 부사격: Role Differences in Sentences
- Subject Markers vs Auxiliary Particles: Distinguishing Roles in Sentences
- 어머니 vs 어머님: The Nuance of Respect and Familiarity
- 묻다 vs 여쭈다: Politeness and Situational Use in Asking
- 매우 vs 조금: Understanding Intensity Differences
- 경어 vs 반말: The Boundary Between Respect and Familiarity
- 려고 vs 러 vs 고 싶어서: Comparing Intentions and Reasons
- 거의 vs 대체로 vs 웬만큼: Understanding Subtle Differences