을Korean particle · TOPIK 1
eul
One particle with 4 distinct uses in the dictionary. Each is below with its own usage rule and examples.
형태Forms
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 indicate the subject that an action has a direct influence on.
동작이 직접적으로 영향을 미치는 대상을 나타내는 조사.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after nouns ending in a consonant.
받침 있는 명사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
아침에는 빵을 먹는다.
In the morning, I eat bread.
시장에 가서 과일을 샀다.
I went to the market and bought fruit.
지수는 소설책을 읽는다.
Jisu reads novels.
대화In conversation
주말에 보통 뭘 해요?
What do you usually do on weekends?
저는 집에서 게임을 해요.
I play games at home.
A postpositional particle used to indicate the subject or target that an action has an indirect influence on.
동작이 간접적인 영향을 미치는 대상이나 목적임을 나타내는 조사.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after nouns ending in a consonant.
받침 있는 명사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
고기는 동생을 먹여라.
Feed the meat to your younger brother.
이 사진 친구들을 보였어요?
Did you show this photo to your friends?
쓰다 남은 물은 화분을 줘요.
Give the leftover water to the plants.
대화In conversation
그 책은 누구를 줄 거예요?
Who are you going to give that book to?
형을 줄까 생각 중이에요.
I'm thinking of giving it to my older brother.
A postpositional particle used to indicate something that becomes a material or means.
어떤 재료나 수단이 되는 사물임을 나타내는 조사.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after nouns ending in a consonant.
받침 있는 명사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
운동화 끈을 묶어서 긴 줄을 만들자.
Let's tie the shoelaces together to make a long string.
나팔을 불어서 출발 신호로 알리자.
Let's blow the trumpet as a signal to start.
마당에 불을 피워서 모기를 쫓아야겠어요.
We need to light a fire in the yard to drive away the mosquitoes.
대화In conversation
의자가 없는데 어떻게 하지?
We don't have chairs, what should we do?
바닥에 신문을 깔고 앉아야겠어.
We'll have to sit on newspapers on the floor.
A postpositional particle used to indicate a place where an action finishes or occurs.
동작의 도착지나 동작이 이루어지는 장소를 나타내는 조사.
쓰임Usage
Usually used together with 가다, 걷다 or 뛰다.
주로 '가다', '걷다', '뛰다'와 함께 쓴다.
예문Examples
그는 고등학교를 졸업하고 고향을 떠났다.
He left his hometown after graduating from high school.
나는 지리산을 거쳐 설악산으로 갔다.
I went through Jirisan and then headed to Seoraksan.
우리가 탄 기차는 부산을 향해 달리고 있다.
The train we're on is running toward Busan.
대화In conversation
여기서 어떻게 강을 건너요?
How do we cross the river from here?
곧 배가 도착하니까 배를 타면 돼요.
A boat will arrive soon, so we can take it.
관련 문법Related grammar
Other particles you will meet alongside this one.
자주 묻는 질문Common questions
What does 을 mean in Korean?
을 is a particle introduced at 1급 (TOPIK 1). A postpositional particle used to indicate the subject that an action has a direct influence on. It has 4 distinct senses, all listed on this page.
When do you use 을?
Attaches after nouns ending in a consonant. The other shape is 를, ㄹ — same point, different environment.
What is the difference between 을 and 를?
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 을?
1급 — TOPIK 1, beginner. It is one of 45 grammar points at that level.
Definition, usage note, examples and dialogue from the 국립국어원 한국어기초사전, used under CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.