Learn Hardcore Korean: abeojineun jadongchareul unjeonhaeyo.

는 is the topic marker. It tells the listener that “아버지” (father) is what we’re talking about. Unlike the subject marker 가, which just points out the subject, 는 often adds a nuance of “as for …” or highlights contrast with other possible subjects. Here it simply sets “아버지” as the topic of our statement.

Why is 자동차 followed by 를 instead of 가 or 은?

를 is the direct-object marker. It shows that “자동차” (car) is receiving the action of the verb (being driven). You wouldn’t use 가 (subject marker) or 은 (topic marker) on “자동차” because it’s not the doer or the topic here—it’s what’s being driven.

Why is the verb 운전해요 positioned at the end of the sentence?

Korean follows a Subject–Object–Verb (SOV) word order. That means the verb (or adjective) always comes last. So you start with the topic or subject (아버지는), then the object (자동차를), and finish with the verb (운전해요).

What is the relationship between 운전해요 and the dictionary form 운전하다?

운전하다 is the dictionary (base) form meaning “to drive.” To make it polite present tense, you drop -다 and add -해요, giving 운전해요 (“drives / is driving” politely).

How would you make the sentence more honorific when talking about your father?

You can use the subject honorific marker 께서 instead of 는, and add the honorific verb ending -세요. For example:
아버지께서 자동차를 운전하세요.
This shows extra respect toward your father.

What’s the difference between 자동차 and 차? Can you use 차를 운전해요 instead?

자동차 is a Sino-Korean word (formal “automobile”), while 차 is the native Korean for “car” (more colloquial). Yes, you can say 차를 운전해요 in everyday speech; it sounds more casual.

What’s the difference between 운전하다 and 타다 when talking about cars?

운전하다 = “to drive” (you are in control of the vehicle).
타다 = “to ride / get on” (you are a passenger or simply taking a vehicle).
So 자동차를 운전해요 means you yourself are driving, whereas 자동차를 타요 means you’re riding in it.

Can you omit 아버지는 and just say 자동차를 운전해요?

Yes. If the context already makes it clear who you’re talking about, dropping the topic is common. 자동차를 운전해요 would simply mean “(He/She/I) drives a car,” context depending.