에Korean particle · TOPIK 1
on; in; at
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 to indicate that the preceding statement refers to a certain place or space.
앞말이 어떤 장소나 자리임을 나타내는 조사.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after nouns.
명사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
여기 의자에 앉으렴.
Sit here on the chair.
가게에 손님들이 많다.
There are many customers in the store.
상 위에 컵이 놓여 있다.
A cup is placed on the table.
대화In conversation
민준 씨, 보고서를 어디에 뒀어요?
Minjun, where did you put the report?
책장에 꽂아 놓았어요.
I put it in the bookshelf.
A postpositional particle to indicate that the preceding statement refers to the time.
앞말이 시간이나 때임을 나타내는 조사.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after nouns.
명사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
벚꽃은 봄에 핀다.
Cherry blossoms bloom in spring.
지수는 작년에 결혼을 했다.
Jisu got married last year.
나는 매일 아침 일곱 시에 일어난다.
I wake up at seven every morning.
대화In conversation
승규가 언제 유학을 갔지?
When did Seunggyu go abroad to study?
일 년 전에 갔잖아.
He went a year ago, remember?
A postpositional particle to indicate that the preceding statement refers to a destination or the course of a certain action.
앞말이 목적지이거나 어떤 행위의 진행 방향임을 나타내는 조사.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after nouns.
명사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
우리는 공원에 가기로 했다.
We decided to go to the park.
승규는 일본에 어학연수를 간다.
Seunggyu is going to Japan for language study.
우리 열차는 잠시 후면 서울역에 도착하겠습니다.
Our train will arrive at Seoul Station shortly.
대화In conversation
유민 씨, 휴일인데 어딜 그리 급하게 가요?
Yumin, where are you rushing off to on your day off?
갑자기 급한 일이 생겨서 회사에 가고 있어요.
Something urgent came up, so I'm heading to the office.
A postpositional particle to indicate that the preceding statement is the cause for something.
앞말이 어떤 일의 원인임을 나타내는 조사.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after nouns.
명사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
나는 추위에 몸을 오들오들 떨었다.
I shivered from the cold.
천둥소리에 길을 가던 아이가 깜짝 놀랐다.
The child walking on the road was startled by the thunder.
밤새 내린 봄비에 꽃잎이 다 떨어져 버렸다.
The flower petals all fell off because of the spring rain that fell all night.
관련 문법Related grammar
Other particles you will meet alongside this one.
자주 묻는 질문Common questions
What does 에 mean in Korean?
에 is a particle introduced at 1급 (TOPIK 1). A postpositional particle to indicate that the preceding statement refers to a certain place or space. It has 4 distinct senses, all listed on this page.
When do you use 에?
Attaches after nouns. The other shape is 다가, 에다가 — same point, different environment.
What is the difference between 에 and 다가?
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 에?
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.