에게 (e-ge, ege) · 한테 (han-te, hante) · 께 (kke)
에게 (ege), 한테 (hante), and 께 (kke) all indicate the recipient of an action like 'give' or 'speak,' but differ by politeness and familiarity.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Formal and standard particle indicating the recipient
When to use
formal documents, standard language, animals as recipients, both polite and casual speech
The nuance
에게 is formal and standard, mainly used in written or standard speech, and can be used for people or animals. It fits both polite and casual contexts neutrally.
Informal, colloquial particle used for close or casual recipients
When to use
among friends, informal spoken language, animals as recipients, casual speech
The nuance
한테 is mainly used in spoken language among close friends or animals informally. It is inappropriate in formal or honorific contexts.
Honorific particle indicating respect for the recipient
When to use
honorific speech, respectful expression, formal occasions, only people
The nuance
께 is used only in honorific contexts to show respect to the recipient, never for animals.
선생님에게 편지를 썼어요.
seon-saeng-nim-e-ge pyeon-ji-reul sseoss-eo-yo., seon saeng nim e ge pyeon ji reul sseoss eo yo.
에게 suits formal and polite contexts.
친구에게 선물을 줬어.
chin-gu-e-ge seon-mul-eul jwoss-eo., chin gu e ge seon mul eul jwoss eo.
에게 works fine in both casual and polite speech.
친구한테 선물을 줬어.
chin-gu-han-te seon-mul-eul jwoss-eo., chin gu han te seon mul eul jwoss eo.
한테 is natural in informal settings among friends.
선생님한테 편지를 썼어요.
seon-saeng-nim-han-te pyeon-ji-reul sseoss-eo-yo., seon saeng nim han te pyeon ji reul sseoss eo yo.
한테 is inappropriate for honorific recipients like teachers.
할아버지께 선물을 드렸습니다.
hal-a-beo-ji-kke seon-mul-eul deu-ryeoss-seup-ni-da., hal a beo ji kke seon mul eul deu ryeoss seup ni da.
께 is used to show respect in honorific speech.
할아버지에게 선물을 드렸습니다.
hal-a-beo-ji-e-ge seon-mul-eul deu-ryeoss-seup-ni-da., hal a beo ji e ge seon mul eul deu ryeoss seup ni da.
에게 can be used politely, but 께 is more honorific.
강아지에게 밥을 줬어.
gang-a-ji-e-ge bap-eul jwoss-eo., gang a ji e ge bap eul jwoss eo.
에게 can be used for animals as recipients.
강아지한테 밥을 줬어.
gang-a-ji-han-te bap-eul jwoss-eo., gang a ji han te bap eul jwoss eo.
한테 can be used informally for animals.
Which particle is used to politely address someone in honorific speech?
Which particle is most natural when speaking to a friend?
Which particle is suitable for formal documents?
