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doseogwaneseo waipaireul sseoyo.

도서관에서 와이파이를 써요.doseogwaneseo waipaireul sseoyo.
I use Wi‑Fi at the library.
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Questions & Answers about doseogwaneseo waipaireul sseoyo.

What does the particle 에서 do here? Can I use 에 instead?
  • 에서 marks the place where an action occurs: the library is where the using happens.
  • 에 marks a location of existence or a destination.
  • Examples:
    • 도서관에서 공부해요. = I study at the library. (action location)
    • 도서관에 있어요. = I am at the library. (existence)
    • 도서관에 가요. = I’m going to the library. (destination)
Why is it 와이파이를 and not 와이파이을?

The object marker alternates:

  • Noun ends in a vowel → 를 (와이파이 → 와이파이를)
  • Noun ends in a consonant → 을 (책 → 책을) So you say 와이파이를 because 와이파이 ends with a vowel sound.
Why does 쓰다 become 써요? Is that irregular?

Yes. 쓰다 is a ㅡ‑irregular verb. When adding -어요, the ㅡ drops and you add -어, giving 써요.

  • Dictionary: 쓰다
  • Polite present: 써요
  • Past: 썼어요
  • Formal polite: 씁니다
  • Noun form: 쓰기
Is 쓰다 the right verb for “to use” Wi‑Fi? Are there alternatives?

Yes, 쓰다 commonly means “to use” in everyday speech. Alternatives:

  • 사용하다 = to use (more formal/written): 도서관에서 와이파이를 사용해요.
  • 이용하다 = to make use of a service/facility: 도서관의 와이파이를 이용해요.
  • To talk about connecting: 와이파이에 연결해요/접속해요.
  • To talk about signal/working: 와이파이가 잘 돼요 (The Wi‑Fi works well).
What politeness level is 써요? What are other forms?
  • 써요: standard polite (safe for most situations).
  • 씁니다: formal polite (announcements, presentations, writing).
  • 써: casual (friends, close peers).
  • Imperative/honorific to someone you respect: 쓰세요.
Can I drop the object marker or the object itself?
  • In conversation, dropping the object marker is fine: 와이파이 써요.
  • You can also omit the object if it’s obvious from context: 도서관에서 써요 (“I use it at the library.”), though it can be vague out of context.
  • In careful writing, keep -을/를 to avoid ambiguity.
Can I change the word order?

Yes, Korean word order is flexible as long as the verb is last.

  • Neutral: 도서관에서 와이파이를 써요.
  • Emphasizing the object: 와이파이를 도서관에서 써요. Context and particles carry the roles; word order shifts nuance/emphasis.
What’s the difference between simple present 써요 and progressive 쓰고 있어요?
  • 써요 can mean a habitual/general present or a present action depending on context.
  • 쓰고 있어요 explicitly means “am using (right now).”
    • 지금 도서관에서 와이파이를 쓰고 있어요 = I’m using Wi‑Fi at the library right now.
How do I say it in the past or future?
  • Past: 도서관에서 와이파이를 썼어요.
  • Future/intention: 도서관에서 와이파이를 쓸 거예요.
  • Very formal future: 쓸 것입니다.
  • Volitional (I’ll do it): 쓸게요.
How is it pronounced?
  • 도서관에서 ≈ “do-seo-gwa-ne-seo” (관+에 links smoothly: “gwa-ne”).
  • 와이파이를 ≈ “wa-i-pa-i-reul” (the 르 in 를 sounds like a light r).
  • 써요 ≈ “sseo-yo” (tense s sound; like “ss”). Natural connected speech: “do-seo-gwa-ne-seo wa-i-pa-i-reul sseo-yo.”
Any spacing rules to watch out for?

Particles attach to the preceding word without a space:

  • Correct: 도서관에서, 와이파이를
  • Incorrect: 도서관 에서, 와이파이 를
What’s the difference between 도서관에서 and 도서관에서는?

도서관에서는 adds the topic/contrast marker -는, often implying contrast or focus on that location:

  • 도서관에서는 와이파이를 써요. (At the library, at least, I use Wi‑Fi…) You may also see the contracted 도서관에선 in writing.
How do I ask about availability or permission?
  • Availability/existence: 도서관에 와이파이 있어요? (Is there Wi‑Fi at the library?)
  • Permission: 도서관에서 와이파이 써도 돼요? (May I use Wi‑Fi at the library?)
  • Ability: 도서관에서 와이파이를 쓸 수 있어요? (Is it possible to use Wi‑Fi at the library?)
How do I say “inside the library” or “outside the library”?
  • Inside: 도서관 안에서 와이파이를 써요.
  • Outside: 도서관 밖에서 와이파이를 써요.
Does 쓰다 also mean “to write” or “to wear”? Is that confusing?

Yes, 쓰다 is polysemous:

  • Use: 와이파이를 써요.
  • Write: 편지를 써요 (I write a letter).
  • Wear (on the head): 모자를 써요 (I wear/put on a hat).
  • Taste bitter: 커피가 써요 (The coffee is bitter). Context tells you which meaning is intended.
Can 에서 also mean “from”?

Yes, with motion verbs it often means “from (a place)”:

  • 도서관에서 집으로 갔어요. (I went home from the library.)
  • 도서관에서 왔어요. (I came from the library.) For time starting points, use 부터 (e.g., 3시부터). For places, both 에서 and 부터 can appear, but 에서 is more common in everyday speech.