Learn Hardcore Korean: chinguga hangugeoreul malhaeyo.

-가 is the subject marker indicating the doer of the action when presenting new information or emphasizing the subject. -는 is the topic marker used for known information or to create contrast. If you say 친구는 한국어를 말해요, it frames 친구 as the topic (e.g., “As for my friend, they speak Korean”).

What does the particle -를 in 한국어를 do?

-를 marks 한국어 as the direct object of the verb 말하다 (to speak). It shows what is being spoken. Without -를, you wouldn’t know what language is being spoken unless inferred from context.

How is 말해요 formed from 말하다?

Remove the dictionary ending -다 from 말하다 to get the stem 말하.
Change 하 to 해 (a regular contraction when adding -아/어요).
Add the polite ending -요, resulting in 말해요 (present tense, polite).

What’s the difference between 말해요 and 말합니다?

Both mean “speak” in the present tense but differ in speech level:

말해요: polite informal style used among peers or in everyday situations.
말합니다: polite formal style used in formal announcements, presentations, or with superiors.

Can I say 한국어를 친구가 말해요 instead of 친구가 한국어를 말해요?

Yes. Korean is an SOV language but has flexible word order. The particles -가 (subject) and -를 (object) clarify roles, so you can swap 한국어를 and 친구가 to shift emphasis without changing the meaning.

Why use 말하다 for “speak” instead of 이야기하다?

말하다 = to speak/say (especially a language or words).
이야기하다 = to talk/chat (implying more of a conversation).
Use 말하다 when you refer to speaking a language (한국어를 말해요). Use 이야기하다 when you mean “to have a chat” (한국어로 이야기해요).

Why is it 한국어 and not 한국말?

Both mean “Korean language.”

한국어: Sino-Korean term, more formal and used in textbooks or official contexts.
한국말: native Korean word, more colloquial and used in casual speech.

Can I omit 한국어를 and just say 친구가 말해요?

You can, but it may sound incomplete because listeners won’t know what your friend speaks. You’d only skip the object if context already makes the language clear.