이/가: The Subject Markers
이/가 are Korean subject markers that identify the subject of a sentence - the person or thing that performs the action.
Think of them as little flags that point to the main actor in your sentence. 이 follows consonants, while 가 follows vowels.
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Where Do We Use It?
Identifying the Subject:
The cat is sleeping.
고양이 자고 있어요.
Emphasizing Who Did Something:
I (not someone else) ate the apple.
제가 사과를 먹었어요.
With Descriptive Verbs (Adjectives):
The weather is good.
날씨가 좋아요.
In Questions:
To ask who did something or what is the subject.
Pronunciation Rule: Use 이 after consonants (밥이, 책이, 사람이), and 가 after vowels (사과가, 개가, 나무가).
Special Note: Pronouns have irregular forms:
나 + 가 → 내가
저 + 가 → 제가
너 + 가 → 네가
Examples :-
People & Animals:
1.
My friend is coming.
제 친구가 와요.
2.
The teacher is teaching.
선생님이 가르쳐요.
3.
The dog is big.
개가 커요.
4.
My younger sibling is sleeping.
동생이 자요.
5.
That person is American.
그 사람이 미국 사람이에요.
Objects & Things:
1.
The book is interesting.
책이 재미있어요.
2.
The computer is expensive.
컴퓨터가 비싸요.
3.
The phone is ringing.
전화가 울려요.
4.
The water is cold.
물이 차가워요.
5.
The house is pretty.
집이 예뻐요.
Emphasis & Questions:
1.
Who did this? (I want to know specifically)
누가 이거 했어요?
2.
I (emphasized) will do it.
제가 할게요.
3.
What is noisy?
무엇이 시끄러워요?
4.
He (specifically) is the one who knows.
그가 알아요.
5.
Which one is better?
어느 것이 더 좋아요?
Nature & Weather:
1.
The weather is bad.
날씨가 나빠요.
2.
The wind is strong.
바람이 세요.
3.
The snow is white.
눈이 하얘요.
4.
The sun is bright.
해가 밝아요.
5.
The moon is pretty.
달이 예뻐요.
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