jeoneun doseogwaneseo noteureul bwayo.

저는 도서관에서 노트를 봐요.jeoneun doseogwaneseo noteureul bwayo.
I look at the notebook in the library.
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Questions & Answers about jeoneun doseogwaneseo noteureul bwayo.

Why is 저는 used instead of 제가? What does the particle 는 indicate here?
는 is the topic marker. It emphasizes or frames 저 (I) as the topic of the sentence, something you’re going to talk about. In contrast, 제가 uses 가, the subject marker, which simply indicates 저 is the subject doing the action. By choosing 저는, you’re setting up “as for me…” and then stating what you do.
What does the location particle 에서 in 도서관에서 mean? How is it different from 에?

에서 marks the place where an action occurs (“at/in the library”).

  • 도서관에서 노트를 봐요 = “(I) look at notes at the library.”
    에 alone often marks a destination or the location of existence (“to the library,” “in the library” without implying action).
  • 도서관에 있어요 = “(I) am at the library.”
  • 도서관에 가요 = “(I) go to the library.”
What role does 를 play in 노트를?
를 is the direct-object marker. It tells you that 노트 (“notes” or “notebook”) is the object receiving the action of the verb 보다 (“to look at”).
Why is the verb 보다 used here to describe reading notes? What about 읽다?
  • 보다 literally means “to see” or “to look at.” In the context of study, 노트를 보다 carries the nuance of “to review” or “to go over” your notes (glancing, studying visuals, etc.).
  • 읽다 means “to read.” If you want to emphasize carefully reading word by word, 노트를 읽어요 is more precise. But casual study often uses 보다.
How is 봐요 formed? Why not 보아요 or 본다?
  • 보다
    • 아/어요 → 보아요, but Koreans contract 오 + 아요 into 와요, giving 봐요.
  • 본다 is the plain style ending (-는다) used in writing or very casual speech, not in polite conversation.
What politeness level is 봐요? How would I make it more formal or more casual?
  • 봐요 is the polite, everyday speech level (해요체).
  • More formal (official/written) → 봅니다.
  • More casual/friendly (반말) → 봐.
Can I change the word order, for example say 노트를 도서관에서 봐요?
Yes. Korean allows flexible word order since particles mark roles. Both mean “I look at notes at the library,” though native speakers often put location before object: 도서관에서 노트를 봐요.
Can I omit 저는 and just say 도서관에서 노트를 봐요?
Absolutely. In Korean, if the topic/subject is clear from context, you can drop 저는 and simply say 도서관에서 노트를 봐요.