Subject markers 이/가 deep dive
Focus, new info vs old info.
Goals
Mark grammatical subject / new info with 이/가; contrast 은/는.
Steps
- New event: 비가 와요.
- Pair topic vs subject: 언니는… 동생이…
- Collect 10 drama lines; highlight 이/가.
Common mistakes
- Using 이/가 on everything.
Study rhythm: Skim “Subject markers 이/가 deep dive” for structure, then re-read aloud. Fifteen-minute sessions usually beat one long cram when you are learning Korean from scratch.
Hands-on: Write three new sentences (do not copy the examples) using this pattern. When you learn Korean, forcing fresh sentences shows gaps early.
Listening: Pair this lesson with any short clip whose Korean subtitles reuse the same grammar. Notice endings in interviews versus narrators — the same rule may sound softer or stiffer.
Particles & patience: If vocabulary is easy but sentences feel wrong, slow down on markers. Revisit the core explanation above before adding more flashcards.
Examples & practice: mini conversation
Read across: English meaning → Korean sentence → romanization (Konglish-style pronunciation guide, not official MR).
| Speaker | English | Korean | Romanization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roommate | 비가 와요—look at the window. | 비가 와, 창문 봐. | bi-ga wa, changmun bwa. |
| You | But yesterday topic was 날씨는 나빴다—는 not 가? | 어제 배운 건 날씨는 아니었나? | eoje baeun geon nalssi-neun anieossna? |
| Roommate | 눈이 오면 이/가 pops—new info rain is the subject. | 새 정보 = 비가, 화제 = 날씨는. | sae jeongbo = bi-ga, hwaje = nalssi-neun. |
| You | 친구가 왔어요—my friend’s THE one who came. | 친구가 왔어요—그게 포인트? | chingu-ga wasseoyo—geuge pointeu? |
| Roommate | Exactly—who did verb? 이/가 answers. | 누가 했어요? → 이/가. | nuga haess-eoyo? i/ga. |
| You | Grammar headache but 케이팝 lyrics help. | 노래 가사에서 찾을게요. | norae gasa-eseo chajeulgeyo. |