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jeoneun kaempeoseueseo hangugeoreul gongbuhaeyo.

저는 캠퍼스에서 한국어를 공부해요.jeoneun kaempeoseueseo hangugeoreul gongbuhaeyo.
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Questions & Answers about jeoneun kaempeoseueseo hangugeoreul gongbuhaeyo.

Why is 저는 used instead of just 저?

In Korean, 저 means “I” or “me,” but 저는 is 저 + the topic marker -는. The topic marker:

  • Indicates what the sentence is about (“As for me…”)
  • Is different from the subject marker -이/가

Without -는, the listener wouldn’t know you’re marking yourself as the topic of the conversation.

What’s the difference between the topic marker -는/은 and the subject marker -이/가?
  • -는/은 (topic marker):
    • Introduces or contrasts the topic (“As for …”)
    • Often used for general statements or contrasts
  • -이/가 (subject marker):
    • Marks the grammatical subject doing the action
    • Emphasizes who or what performs the verb

Example with contrast:
저는 음악을 좋아해요. (As for me, I like music.)
그 사람이 노래를 잘해요. (That person sings well.)

Can I use 나 instead of 저?

Yes, 나 is the informal first-person pronoun. Use it with close friends or younger people.

  • 나
    • 는 → 나는 (very casual)
  • 저
    • 는 → 저는 (polite/formal)

If you’re in a classroom or with someone older, stick with 저는.

Why is 캠퍼스에서 used instead of 캠퍼스에?
  • -에 marks a static location or destination (“to/at” in a static sense).
  • -에서 marks the place where an action happens.

Since we’re saying “I study” (an action), you need -에서:
캠퍼스에서 공부해요 = “I study at the campus.”

Why is 한국어를 used instead of 한국어가?

-를/을 is the object marker, so it marks 한국어 as the thing you’re studying (the object of 공부하다).

  • 한국어를 공부해요 = “I study Korean.”

If you used -가, you’d be marking Korean as the subject, which doesn’t fit this verb.

Could I drop the object particle and say 저는 캠퍼스에서 한국어 공부해요?

In casual spoken Korean, you might hear dropped particles. However, for clear and polite speech, include -를.

  • Formal/polite: 한국어를 공부해요
  • Casual (spoken): 캠퍼스에서 한국어 공부해

Dropping particles can lead to ambiguity, so keep them when you’re learning.

What’s the difference between 한국어 and 한국말?

Both mean “the Korean language,” but:

  • 한국어 uses 어 (language) → more formal, standard term.
  • 한국말 uses 말 (speech/talk) → more colloquial, friendly.

Either is fine conversationally, but 한국어 is what you’ll see in textbooks.

Why does the verb come at the end (공부해요)?

Korean has an S-O-V word order: Subject + (Object) + Verb.

  1. 저는 (subject)
  2. 캠퍼스에서 (location)
  3. 한국어를 (object)
  4. 공부해요 (verb)

Always put the verb or adjective at the end of the clause.

What tense and politeness level is 공부해요?
  • 공부해요 is present tense.
  • It’s in the informal polite style (also called 해요체).

Structure:
stem 공부하- + polite ending -아요/어요 → 공부해요.

If you need more formality, use:

  • 공부합니다 (formal polite, 합쇼체)

For casual talk with friends, you could use:

  • 공부해 (informal, 반말).