Learn Hardcore Korean: jeoneun hangsang mureul masyeoyo.

In Korean, 는 is the topic marker. When you say 저는, you’re marking I as the topic of the sentence, indicating what or whom you’re talking about. It differs from the subject marker 이/가, which emphasizes the subject itself rather than setting the sentence’s overall topic.

Why do we use 저 instead of 나 here?

저 is the humble or deferential pronoun for I, used in polite speech. 나 is the casual pronoun you’d use with close friends, younger people, or in very informal situations.

How does 물을 work in this sentence?

물 means water. The particle 을 marks it as the direct object of the verb. Since 물 ends in a consonant, you attach 을 (if it ended in a vowel, you’d use 를 instead).

Why is the verb 마시다 conjugated as 마셔요?

To form the polite present tense (–어요 form):

Drop 다 → 마시
Add 어요 → 마시어요
Contract ㅣ + 어 to 여, giving 마셔요

What formality level is the –어요 ending in 마셔요?

The –어요 ending is the polite informal style, also called the 해요-form. It’s appropriate for everyday polite conversations with people you respect but aren’t extremely formal with.

Where does the adverb 항상 fit in the sentence?

항상 means always and functions as an adverb. In Korean, adverbs usually come immediately before the verb or verb phrase they modify. Placing 항상 before 마셔요 clearly shows that the action of drinking water is habitual.

Can you drop 저는 and just say 항상 물을 마셔요?

Yes. Korean often omits the topic or subject when it’s clear from context. If it’s understood that you’re talking about yourself, 항상 물을 마셔요 still means I always drink water.

Could we rearrange the words and say 저는 물을 항상 마셔요?

Absolutely. Korean allows some flexibility in adverb placement. 저는 물을 항상 마셔요 is grammatically correct and understood exactly the same, though many speakers prefer putting 항상 right before the verb for a more natural flow.