If you’re learning Korean, you’ve probably stumbled over 은/는 and 이/가. They can seem similar at first because they both come after a noun — but they’re not interchangeable. Using the wrong one can make your Korean sound unnatural.
Let’s break them down clearly.
The Basics: What They Do
은/는 = Topic marker
이/가 = Subject marker
In a sentence, they both follow a noun to show its role, but they highlight different things.
은/는 – Topic Marker
Use 은/는 when you are introducing or shifting the topic of the conversation. It tells the listener, “This is what I’m going to talk about now.”
Structure
- 은 after consonants
- 는 after vowels
Examples
저는 학생이에요.
As for me, I am a student.
이 책은 재미있어요.
This book is interesting.
Here, the speaker is drawing attention to the topic (such as “me” or “this book”) and may be contrasting it with something else.
이/가 – Subject Marker
Use 이/가 when you want to identify or emphasize the subject that is performing an action or being described.
Structure
- 이 after consonants
- 가 after vowels
Examples
누가 왔어요?
Who came?
민지가 갔어요.
Minji went.
Here, you are not introducing Minji as a topic — you are specifically identifying her as the one who went.
Side-by-Side: What’s the Difference?
| Sentence | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 고양이는 귀여워요 | The cat (as a topic) is cute — possibly in comparison to other animals. |
| 고양이가 귀여워요 | The cat (as the subject) is cute — answering “What’s cute?” or emphasizing the cat specifically. |
| Sentence | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 저는 학생이에요 | As for me, I’m a student. (Neutral statement) |
| 제가 학생이에요 | I am the student. (Used for clarification or correction) |
When to Use Which
Quick guideline
- 은/는 → sets context, gives general or background info, or shows contrast
- 이/가 → identifies the specific subject or answers who/what is doing something
Common patterns
If someone asks:
누가 했어요? (Who did it?)
→ 제가 했어요. (I did it.)
When introducing yourself:
저는 [name]입니다. (As for me, I’m [name].)
Final Tips
- 은/는 = general, contrast, or background info
- 이/가 = specific, focused info
- Native speakers naturally switch between them depending on what they want to emphasize.
Don’t Overthink It
It may feel confusing at first, but if you pay attention to how Koreans use these particles in real conversations, it will start to feel natural. Practice with complete sentences instead of memorizing isolated rules, and over time you’ll develop an instinct for when 은/는 or 이/가 is the right choice.
