아Korean particle · TOPIK 3

TOPIK 3 3급 Particles 조사address 호격

A postpositional particle used to address a friend, younger person, animal, etc.

형태Forms

아야

Which one you use is decided by what comes in front of it — see the usage rule under each meaning below.

A postpositional particle used to address a friend, younger person, animal, etc.

친구나 아랫사람, 동물 등을 부를 때 쓰는 조사.

쓰임Usage

Attaches after nouns ending in a consonant.

받침 있는 명사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.

예문Examples

민준아, 이것 좀 봐 줘.

Minjun, come look at this.

유민아, 나랑 같이 놀자.

Yumin, let's play together.

거북아, 너는 정말 느릿느릿 가는구나.

Turtle, you really go so slowly.

대화In conversation

얘들아, 우리 주말에 같이 나들이 갈까?

Hey guys, shall we go on a trip this weekend?

좋지. 어디로 갈까?

Sounds good. Where should we go?

관련 문법Related grammar

Other particles you will meet alongside this one.

같이 gachi A postpositional particle used to indicate that there are similar characteristics to the preceding statement. TOPIK 3 대로 daero A postpositional particle used when following what the preceding statement points to or doing something in such a way. TOPIK 3 만큼 mankeum A postpositional particle indicating what is of a similar level or limit to the preceding words. TOPIK 3 보고 bogo A postpositional particle used when something is the subject that an act has an influence on. TOPIK 3 뿐 ppun A postpositional particle used when there is nothing more than the content of the preceding statement or when it is only so. TOPIK 3 요 yo A postpositional particle used to indicate respect for the other person, the subject who is shown respect. TOPIK 3

자주 묻는 질문Common questions

What does 아 mean in Korean?

아 is a particle introduced at 3급 (TOPIK 3). A postpositional particle used to address a friend, younger person, animal, etc.

When do you use 아?

Attaches after nouns ending in a consonant. The other shape is 야 — same point, different environment.

What is the difference between 아 and 야?

None in meaning — they are two shapes of the same particle, and which one appears is decided by the sound in front of it, not by what you want to say.

What TOPIK level is 아?

3급 — TOPIK 3, lower intermediate. It is one of 67 grammar points at that level.

Definition, usage note, examples and dialogue from the 국립국어원 한국어기초사전, used under CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.