How to use 에게서 in Korean

에게서 (e-ge-seo, egeseo)

에게서 is used mainly when receiving something from a person or animal. Essential for natural conversation.

Korean grammar particle 에게서 usage guide

Usage guide

When and how native speakers actually use it.

에게서(e-ge-seo, egeseo)

Indicates the source from whom or from which an action or object is received.

When to use

Receiving gifts, Hearing information, Learning experiences

The nuance

Use ‘에게서’ when the source is a living being such as a person or animal. It is mainly used with verbs like ‘receive’, ‘hear’, or ‘learn’. Example: I received a letter from the teacher.

Real-world examples

  • 나는 친구에게서 선물을 받았다.

    na-neun chin-gu-e-ge-seo seon-mul-eul bat-ass-da., na neun chin gu e ge seo seon mul eul bat ass da.

    ‘Friend’ is a person and ‘receive’ is a verb used with ‘에게서’.

  • 고양이에게서 소리를 들었다.

    go-yang-i-e-ge-seo so-ri-reul deul-eoss-da., go yang i e ge seo so ri reul deul eoss da.

    ‘Cat’ is an animal and ‘hear’ fits with ‘에게서’.

  • 나는 학교에게서 책을 받았다.

    na-neun hak-gyo-e-ge-seo chaek-eul bat-ass-da., na neun hak gyo e ge seo chaek eul bat ass da.

    ‘School’ is a place, so use ‘에서’, not ‘에게서’.

  • 할아버지에게서 이야기를 들었다.

    hal-a-beo-ji-e-ge-seo i-ya-gi-reul deul-eoss-da., hal a beo ji e ge seo i ya gi reul deul eoss da.

    ‘Grandfather’ is a person and fits well with ‘듣다’.

  • 나무에게서 열매를 따다.

    na-mu-e-ge-seo yeol-mae-reul tta-da., na mu e ge seo yeol mae reul tta da.

    ‘Tree’ is living but ‘에게서’ is only for people or animals, not plants.

  • 선생님에게서 많은 것을 배웠다.

    seon-saeng-nim-e-ge-seo man-eun geos-eul bae-woss-da., seon saeng nim e ge seo man eun geos eul bae woss da.

    ‘Teacher’ is a person and ‘learn’ naturally pairs with ‘에게서’.

Quick quiz

  1. When is it incorrect to use ‘에게서’?

    ‘에게서’를 사용할 수 없는 경우는?(‘e-ge-seo’reulsa-yong-halsueop-neungyeong-u-neun?, ‘egeseo’reulsayonghalsueopneungyeonguneun?)
  2. Which verb correctly pairs with ‘에게서’?

    ‘에게서’와 함께 쓰기 적절한 동사는?(‘e-ge-seo’waham-kkesseu-gijeok-jeol-handong-sa-neun?, ‘egeseo’wahamkkesseugijeokjeolhandongsaneun?)
  3. Is ‘고양이에게서’ correct in a sentence?

    ‘고양이에게서’가 올바른 문장인가?(‘go-yang-i-e-ge-seo’gaol-ba-reunmun-jang-in-ga?, ‘goyangiegeseo’gaolbareunmunjanginga?)

More usage guides

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