과Korean particle · TOPIK 1
gwa
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 word used to indicate the subject of comparison or the object that serves as a basis.
비교의 대상이거나 기준으로 삼는 대상임을 나타내는 조사.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after nouns ending in a consonant.
받침 있는 명사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
젊은이들의 생각은 어른 세대의 생각과 많이 다르다.
Young people's thoughts differ greatly from those of the older generation.
네 말은 앞과 뒤가 맞지 않아 무슨 말인지 잘 모르겠다.
Your words don't match up from front to back, so I can't really understand what you're saying.
지구본은 실제의 지구 모습과 비슷하게 만들어진다.
A globe is made to resemble the actual shape of the earth.
대화In conversation
지난 학기 성적과 비교했을 때 이번 학기 평균이 이십 점이나 올랐어.
Compared to last semester's grades, this semester's average went up by twenty points.
고생했어. 네가 많이 노력했나 보다!
You worked hard. You must have tried a lot!
A postpositional word referring to the person when doing something with him/her.
누군가를 상대로 하여 어떤 일을 할 때 그 상대임을 나타내는 조사.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after nouns ending in a consonant.
받침 있는 명사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
나는 친구들과 극장 앞에서 만나기로 하였다.
I agreed to meet my friends in front of the theater.
승규는 지난달 애인과 헤어진 뒤 힘들어한다.
Seunggyu has been struggling since he broke up with his girlfriend last month.
한 국회 의원이 자신을 격려하기 위해 나온 시민과 악수를 나누었다.
A member of the National Assembly shook hands with the citizens who had come out to encourage him.
대화In conversation
오늘 저녁에 뭐 할 거야?
What are you doing this evening?
학교 밖에서 선배들과 밥을 먹을 거야.
I'm going to eat with my seniors outside the school.
A postpositional word referring to the person who the subject does something with.
어떤 일을 함께 하는 대상임을 나타내는 조사.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after nouns ending in a consonant.
받침 있는 명사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
지수는 연인과 뮤지컬 공연을 보러 왔다.
Jisu came to see a musical with her partner.
아이는 동생과 놀이터에서 시소를 타고 있었다.
The child was riding a seesaw with his younger sibling at the playground.
나는 조부모님과 함께 살고 있다.
I live with my grandparents.
A postpositional particle used to list the preceding and following nouns.
앞과 뒤의 명사를 같은 자격으로 이어 줄 때 쓰는 조사.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after nouns ending in a consonant.
받침 있는 명사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
아내는 수박과 참외를 손님에게 대접했다.
My wife served the guests watermelon and melon.
유민과 민준은 오랜 친구이다.
Yumin and Minjun are old friends.
승규는 가방에 책과 노트를 정리해 넣었다.
Seunggyu neatly packed his books and notebook into his bag.
관련 문법Related grammar
Other particles you will meet alongside this one.
자주 묻는 질문Common questions
What does 과 mean in Korean?
과 is a particle introduced at 1급 (TOPIK 1). A postpositional word used to indicate the subject of comparison or the object that serves as a basis. It has 4 distinct senses, all listed on this page.
When do you use 과?
Attaches after nouns ending in a consonant. The other shape is 와 — same point, different environment.
What is the difference between 과 and 와?
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 과?
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.