jeoneun saeroun daneoreul memohaeyo.

I take notes on new words.

Breakdown of jeoneun saeroun daneoreul memohaeyo.

• ~을: object particle
• 저: I
• ~는: topic particle
• 새롭다: new
• 단어: word
• 메모하다: to take notes

Questions & Answers about jeoneun saeroun daneoreul memohaeyo.

Why is 저는 used here instead of 제가?

• 저는 attaches the topic particle -는, so the sentence literally starts “As for me…”. It sets 저 (I) as the topic/background of the statement.
• 제가 (with the subject particle -가) would emphasize “I” as new information or contrast (e.g. “It’s I who do it”).
• In everyday Korean, when you’re just talking about your own habits or experiences, 저는 (or dropping the pronoun entirely) is more natural.

Why does 새로운 end with -은 instead of 새로?

• 새로 is an adverb (“newly”). It modifies verbs: 새로 시작하다 (“start anew”).
• 새로운 is the adjective form (the attributive form of 새롭다) used to directly modify a noun: 새로운 단어 = “new word.”
• Pattern: root adjective (새롭다) → drop -다, add -은/ㄴ for present attribution: 새롭- + 은 = 새로운.

Why is there a 를 after 단어?

• 를 is the object particle, marking 단어 (“word”) as the direct object of 메모해요 (“take note of / write down”).
• Structure: Subject/Topic + Object(를/을)
  • Verb. Here 저는 (topic) + 단어를 (object) + 메모해요 (verb).

How is 메모해요 formed?

• 메모하다 is a Sino-English (Konglish) verb meaning “to take a memo/note.”
• Conjugation for polite speech level (해요 form):
  
  1. Drop -하다 → 메모하-
  2. Add -아요/어요: since the last vowel is -하 (ㅏ), you add -아요 → 메모하아요
  3. In practice 하아요 contracts to 해요 → 메모해요

What’s the difference between 메모해요 and 메모합니다?

• Both mean “I take notes,” but they differ in formality:
  • 메모해요 = polite/informal (used among friends, classmates, non-boss situations)
  • 메모합니다 = polite/formal (used in presentations, with strangers in formal settings, news broadcasts)

Why isn’t there any plural marker like 들 after 단어?

• Korean often omits plural markers when context is clear. 단어를 can mean “word(s).”
• If you really want to stress “multiple words,” you could say 단어들을 메모해요, but that’s usually unnecessary unless you’re contrasting singular vs. plural explicitly.

Why does the verb come at the end of the sentence?

• Korean follows Subject (or Topic) + Object + Verb order (SOV).
• You’re building the sentence up to the action: “As for me (저는), new words (새로운 단어를), [I] take notes (메모해요).”

Can I use a different verb instead of 메모하다, like 적다 or 기록하다?

• Yes. Nuance differences:
  • 메모하다 – to jot down quick notes, often in one’s own shorthand.
  • 적다 – more general “to write down.” Slightly broader.
  • 기록하다 – “to record” (can be more formal or comprehensive, like logging).
• Example:
  
  • 저는 새로운 단어를 적어요.
  • 저는 새로운 단어를 기록해요.
    Both are correct but feel a bit different in tone.