은/는 (eun/neun): The Topic Particle

Level: TOPIK 1. A particle is a short ending added to a noun to show its job. 은/는 (eun/neun) is the topic particle: it marks what the sentence is about, like the English “as for…”.

The rule

은/는 (eun/neun) lifts a noun up as the topic and the rest of the sentence comments on it. 저는 학생이에요 (Jeoneun haksaeng-ieyo) = “As for me, I am a student.”

Which form you use depends only on the sound at the end of the noun:

• After a consonant (a final consonant is called a 받침 (batchim)), use 은 (eun): 학생은 (haksaeng-eun).
• After a vowel, use 는 (neun): 저는 (jeoneun).

Beyond naming the topic, 은/는 (eun/neun) does two familiar jobs:

• Marks known information. It frames something already in view, then adds a comment: 오늘은 더워요 (Oneureun deowoyo) = “As for today, it’s hot.”
• Shows contrast. Marking two nouns with 은/는 (eun/neun) sets them against each other: 고양이는 좋아하지만 개는 안 좋아해요 (Goyangineun joahajiman gaeneun an joahaeyo) = “I like cats, but I don’t like dogs.”

Choosing 은 (eun) or 는 (neun)

Topic vs subject at a glance

Example sentences

Each sentence was written for this lesson, with readings.

Common mistakes

• ❌ 제가 민수예요 (Jega Minsu-yeyo) for a plain self-introduction → ✅ 저는 민수예요 (Jeoneun Minsu-yeyo). 이/가 (i/ga) stresses “I, specifically”; a neutral introduction uses 은/는 (eun/neun).
• ❌ 학생는 (haksaengneun) → ✅ 학생은 (haksaeng-eun). After a consonant use 은 (eun), not 는 (neun).
• ❌ 저은 (jeoeun) → ✅ 저는 (jeoneun). After a vowel use 는 (neun), not 은 (eun).
• ❌ 저는이 학생이에요 (jeoneun-i haksaeng-ieyo) → ✅ 저는 학생이에요 (Jeoneun haksaeng-ieyo). Use one particle after the noun, not 는 (neun) and 이 (i) together.
• ❌ 고양이가 좋고 개가 싫어요 (goyangiga joko gaega sireoyo) for an explicit contrast → ✅ 고양이는…, 개는… (goyangineun…, gaeneun…). Contrast between two items takes 은/는 (eun/neun).

A short conversation

— 이름은 뭐예요? (Ireumeun mwoyeyo?) — “What is your name?” — 저는 린이에요. (Jeoneun Rin-ieyo.) — “I’m Rin.” — 직업은요? (Jigeobeunyo?) — “And your job?” — 저는 학생이에요. (Jeoneun haksaeng-ieyo.) — “I’m a student.”

Usage notes

• It attaches after some particles. For contrast, 은/는 (eun/neun) can follow a location particle: 에는 (eneun), 에서는 (eseoneun). Example: 서울에는 가요 (Seoure-neun gayo) = “To Seoul, I do go.”
• The topic is often dropped. Once it is clear, Korean leaves it out, as in 직업은요? (Jigeobeunyo?) above.
• A second one usually means contrast. Two 은/는 (eun/neun) phrases in a sentence normally set up a contrast rather than two topics.

Compared with other particles

• 이/가 (i/ga) is the subject particle: it marks the grammatical subject and new information, where 은/는 (eun/neun) marks the known topic. See the subject particle lesson.
• For a full side-by-side, read topic versus subject.

Quick recap before the quiz.

Practice

Quiz

Recap cheat-sheet

Next

• Next grammar point: the subject particle i/ga
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