주격조사 (ju-gyeok-jo-sa, jugyeokjosa) · 보조사 (bo-jo-sa, bojosa)
Subject markers clearly indicate the subject of a sentence, whereas auxiliary particles add various supplementary meanings or nuances within the sentence.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Particles that mark the subject in a sentence, clearly indicating the subject.
When to use
marking subject, emphasizing subject, introducing new information
The nuance
Subject markers attach to the subject to clearly indicate it. The most common are 이/가.
Particles that provide additional meanings or nuances beyond subject marking within a sentence.
When to use
limiting expression, adding information, emphasis or contrast
The nuance
Auxiliary particles can be used with subject markers or alone to add extra meaning. Examples include 만 (only), 도 (also), 까지 (even), 조차 (even).
철수가 학교에 갔다.
cheol-su-ga hak-gyo-e gass-da., cheol su ga hak gyo e gass da.
The subject marker '가' attaches to '철수' to clearly mark the subject.
철수는 학교에 갔다.
cheol-su-neun hak-gyo-e gass-da., cheol su neun hak gyo e gass da.
The subject marker '는' marks the subject and indicates topic or contrast.
철수만 학교에 갔다.
cheol-su-man hak-gyo-e gass-da., cheol su man hak gyo e gass da.
Auxiliary particle '만' limits '철수' to mean 'only 철수'.
철수가만 학교에 갔다.
cheol-su-ga-man hak-gyo-e gass-da., cheol su ga man hak gyo e gass da.
The order of subject marker '가' and auxiliary particle '만' is fixed; '가만' is incorrect.
나도 간다.
na-do gan-da., na do gan da.
Auxiliary particle '도' adds meaning to '나' meaning 'me too'.
나가도 간다.
na-ga-do gan-da., na ga do gan da.
Auxiliary particle '도' should come after subject marker '가'; '나가도' is awkward here.
책이 재미있다.
chaek-i jae-mi-iss-da., chaek i jae mi iss da.
Subject marker '이' clearly marks the subject '책'.
책도 재미있다.
chaek-do jae-mi-iss-da., chaek do jae mi iss da.
Auxiliary particle '도' adds 'also' meaning to '책'.
Correct combination of subject marker and auxiliary particle?
Which is NOT a subject marker?
What is the role of '도' in '나도 간다'?
