Learn Hardcore Korean: gichayeogeseo pyoreul sayo. - I buy a ticket at the train station.

기차역에서 breaks down into 기차역 (train station) + 에서, the location marker used for actions. It means “at the train station,” emphasizing that the action (buying) happens there.

기차역에 would use 에, which often indicates a destination or static location (“to the train station” or “at the train station” when describing existence). If you said 기차역에 가요 (“I go to the train station”), 에 is correct. But for “buying” at that place, you need 에서.

Why is 표를 marked with 를?

를 is the object particle in Korean, marking 표 (ticket) as the direct object of the verb 사요. The pattern is:
Subject + (Location) + Object를 + Verb.
Here, 표를 사요 literally means “buy a ticket.”

How is the verb 사요 formed from 사다, and what level of politeness does it convey?

사다 is the dictionary (infinitive) form meaning “to buy.”
To make a polite present-tense statement, you replace 다 with 요, giving 사요.
This is the -요 polite style (also called 반말이 아니라 polite 해요체). It’s suitable for everyday polite conversation with strangers or acquaintances.

What is the typical word order in this sentence, and why does the verb come at the end?

Korean follows an SOV (Subject-Object-Verb) order:

기차역에서 (Location)
표를 (Object)
사요 (Verb)
Putting the verb at the end is standard in Korean; it wraps up the action after all context (who, where, what) has been given.

Can you drop the object particle 를 here and still be understood?

Yes, in casual speech you might hear 기차역에서 표 사요, omitting 를. Native speakers often drop particles when meaning stays clear. However, for learners it’s safer to include 를 until you’re very comfortable.

Can you change 에서 to 에 in this sentence?

If you say 기차역에 표를 사요, it sounds unnatural because 에 doesn’t mark the place of action. You would normally only use 에 when indicating direction or a non-action state. Stick with 에서 for “buying at” a location.

How would you make this sentence more formal or polite?

You have a few options:
• Use -ㅂ니다 style: 기차역에서 표를 삽니다. (very formal, written announcements or speaking to superiors)
• Use honorific imperative/polite suggestion: 기차역에서 표를 사세요. (polite request: “Please buy a ticket at the train station.”)

Is there a more formal synonym for 사요, like 구매해요 or 삽니다? How do they differ?

• 구매해요 comes from 구매하다 (to purchase) and is slightly more formal or businesslike than 사요.
• 삽니다 is the formal declarative (합니다체) form of 사다.
Use 구매해요 when talking about formal or commercial contexts; use 삽니다 in formal announcements or written notices.