gwail hanareul meogeoyo.

I eat one fruit.

Breakdown of gwail hanareul meogeoyo.

• ~을: object particle
• 먹다: to eat
• 과일: fruit
• 하나: one

Questions & Answers about gwail hanareul meogeoyo.

What does 하나 mean in this sentence?

하나 is the native Korean word for the number one. In 과일 하나를 먹어요, it functions as a counter meaning “one (piece of)” or simply “one” when counting general items.

Why does 하나 come after 과일 instead of before, like in English (“one fruit”)?

Korean uses a noun-classifier structure:
• The noun (과일) comes first.
• Then the numeral or counter (하나 or 한 개) follows the noun.
• Finally an appropriate particle attaches.
So 과일 하나 literally is “fruit one,” equivalent to English “one fruit.”

What is the role of -를 after 과일 하나?

-를 is the object-marking particle (accusative). It marks 과일 하나 as the direct object of the verb 먹어요. Without it, the listener wouldn’t be sure what is being eaten.

Why is the subject not mentioned in 과일 하나를 먹어요?

Korean often drops the subject when context makes it clear. In a standalone sentence like this, the implied subject is usually “I.” The polite ending -어요 also suggests that the speaker is talking about themselves in present tense.

Can I say 과일을 하나 먹어요 instead of 과일 하나를 먹어요? Is word order flexible?

Yes. 과일을 하나 먹어요 and 과일 하나를 먹어요 are both grammatically correct.
• 과일 하나를 먹어요 groups “fruit” + “one” + object marker, emphasizing the unit “one fruit.”
• 과일을 하나 먹어요 first marks “fruit” as the object, then states the quantity.
In everyday conversation, you’ll hear both with little difference in meaning.

What kind of ending is 먹어요, and what does it tell us about speech level and tense?

먹어요 is the polite-informal present tense form of the verb 먹다 (to eat).
• -어요 ending = polite but not overly formal (used with strangers, coworkers, acquaintances).
• Present tense = the action is happening now or habitually.

What’s the difference between using 하나 and 한 개 when counting 과일?

• 하나 = native Korean numeral “one,” often used alone in casual counts.
• 한 개 = combines the native numeral 한 with the general counter 개, making “one piece.”
Using 한 개 can sound slightly more precise, especially with physical objects. In practice, 과일 하나 and 과일 한 개 are both common to say “one fruit.”