Learn Hardcore Korean: jeoneun sinaeeseo gwangwanghaeyo.

In Korean, -는 is the topic marker, not the subject marker. 저는 sets “I” as the topic or context of the sentence (“As for me…”). 제가 uses -가, the subject marker, which emphasizes “I” as the doer in a neutral or new-information context. In most everyday statements, learners use 저는 to introduce themselves as the topic before saying what they do.

What does 시내 mean exactly?

시내 literally means “downtown” or “city center.” It refers to the central commercial area with shops, offices, and attractions. It’s a bit less formal than 도심, which also means “city center,” but you’ll hear 시내 often in conversations about shopping or sightseeing.

What is the role of -에서 in 시내에서?

-에서 marks the location where an action takes place. In 시내에서 관광해요, it tells us “I’m doing the sightseeing in/at the downtown area.” Without -에서, you’d need a different construction (like 시내를 관광해요, using an object marker, which emphasizes you’re touring through it rather than simply doing it there).

Why do we use 관광해요? What kind of word is 관광하다?

관광하다 is a compound verb meaning “to tour” or “to sightsee.” It comes from the noun 관광 (tourism) plus 하다 (to do). So 관광해요 means “(I) do sightseeing.” It’s a bit more formal or “travel‐industry” style than 구경하다, which is more casual (“to look around” or “to check things out”).

What’s the difference between 시내에서 관광해요 and 시내를 관광해요?

시내에서 관광해요: Emphasizes the location where you’re touring. “I’m sightseeing in downtown.”
시내를 관광해요: Treats 시내 as the direct object of 관광하다. It feels like “I tour downtown (as a destination).” Both are grammatically possible, but 시내에서 is more common when you want to stress the activity happening there.

Can I omit 저는 and just say 시내에서 관광해요?

Yes. Koreans often omit the topic when it’s clear from context who you’re talking about. 시내에서 관광해요 on its own is perfectly fine in spoken Korean if you’ve already established that you’re the subject.

What does the ending -해요 signal about formality?

The -해요 ending is polite and informal (also called “요‐form”). It’s appropriate for everyday conversation with strangers, coworkers, or anyone you’re not very close with. To speak more formally (e.g., in announcements), you’d use 관광합니다; more casually among friends, you’d say 관광해.

How do I change 관광해요 to past or future tense?

Past: replace -해요 with -했어요 → 관광했어요 (“I toured/sightseeing yesterday.”)
Future: you have two common options:
• 관광할 거예요 (plain future, “I will tour.”)
• 관광할게요 (implies you’ll do it and confirms with listener, “I’ll go sightseeing.”)