Day32 Goal: Stop memorizing 은/는 as “the subject”
Here’s the direct truth for American Learns Korean Day32:
은/는 is not the same as an English subject marker.
은/는 marks the topic—the thing you want to talk about right now. Think:
- As for X, …
- Speaking of X, …
- About X, …
Example:
- 저는 한국어를 배워요.
→ “As for me, I’m learning Korean.”
If you only memorize 은/는 as “subject,” you’ll keep getting confused in real conversation.
Form rule (10 seconds)
- If the noun has a final consonant (batchim) → 은
학생은, 책은, 김밥은 - If the noun has no final consonant → 는
저는, 커피는, 학교는
The 4 most common uses of 은/는
1) Topic-setting (starting a new “about X”)
It’s like planting a flag: “Now we’re talking about this.”
- 저는 한국어를 공부해요.
- 이 책은 좋아요.
- 오늘은 바빠요.
2) Contrast / comparison (this is where 은/는 shines)
- 커피는 좋아요. 하지만 차는 별로예요.
“Coffee is good, but tea is not so great.” - 저는 매운 음식은 좋아해요. 단, 너무 짠 건 싫어요.
“I like spicy food, but not overly salty things.”
3) General statements / habits
- 한국어는 재미있어요.
- 겨울은 추워요.
These feel like “in general” statements.
4) Background / already-known frame
When something is already established and you’re giving commentary:
- 저는 한국 사람이에요. (basic background about me)
- 이 카페는 사람이 많아요. (about this café, general comment)
은/는 vs 이/가: Build intuition with “question → answer”
You don’t need full mastery today, but you must start the right intuition.
Core feel:
- 은/는: “This is the topic / background / contrast.”
- 이/가: “This is the point / new info / the answer / emphasis.”
The easiest training method is Q → A patterns.
Pattern 1: “Who…?” (answer emphasis → 이/가)
- Q: 누가 학생이에요? (Who is a student?)
- A: 제가 학생이에요. (“I am.” → direct answer)
Pattern 2: “About X…” (topic frame → 은/는)
- Q: 학생이에요? (Are you a student?)
- A: 네, 저는 학생이에요. (“As for me…”)
Another pair:
- Q: 뭐가 맛있어요? (What is tasty?)
- A: 김밥이 맛있어요. (Answer/new info)
- Q: 김밥 어때요? (How is kimbap?)
- A: 김밥은 맛있어요. (Talking about kimbap as the topic)
If you understand these pairs, Day32 is successful.
How tone changes with 은/는 (6 quick examples)
Don’t over-translate; focus on the “feel.”
- 저는 커피를 좋아해요.
→ “As for me, I like coffee.” (topic/background) - 제가 커피를 좋아해요.
→ “I (not someone else) like coffee.” (emphasis/contrast) - 오늘은 바빠요.
→ “Today (as opposed to other days) is busy.” (contrast-ready) - 한국어는 어려워요. 하지만 재미있어요.
→ general + contrast tone - 한국어가 어려워요.
→ “Korean is the thing that’s difficult (right now).” (issue focus) - 이 카페는 사람이 많아요.
→ “This café (as a topic) is crowded.”
Mini Dialogue 1: Self-introduction (은/는 feels natural)
A: 안녕하세요. 처음 뵙겠습니다.
B: 안녕하세요. 저는 제임스예요.
A: 한국어 공부해요?
B: 네, 저는 한국어를 공부해요.
Why it works: introductions and background framing often use 은/는.
Mini Dialogue 2: Comparison (contrast = 은/는)
A: 커피 좋아해요?
B: 네, 커피는 좋아해요. 하지만 차는 별로예요.
A: 디저트는요?
B: 케이크는 좋아해요. 쿠키는 그냥 그래요.
Speaking Drill 1: Make “As for…” sentences (5 minutes)
Say these out loud. Topic first, verb last (Day31 rule).
- As for me, I study Korean. → 저는 한국어를 공부해요.
- As for today, I’m busy. → 오늘은 바빠요.
- As for this café, it’s crowded. → 이 카페는 사람이 많아요.
- As for winter, it’s cold. → 겨울은 추워요.
- As for coffee, I like it. → 커피는 좋아해요.
Speaking Drill 2: Make 3 contrast sets (5 minutes)
Use these frames. Short is fine, but finish the sentence.
- A는 좋아요. 하지만 B는 싫어요.
- A는 비싸요. B는 싸요.
- A는 괜찮아요. B는 별로예요.
Examples:
- 커피는 좋아요. 하지만 차는 싫어요.
- 이건 비싸요. 저건 싸요.
- 한국어는 어려워요. 하지만 재미있어요.
Quiz + Answer Key
1) Choose 은/는 or 이/가 (where appropriate)
- 저는 학생___ .
- 누가 학생이에요? → 제___ 학생이에요.
- 커피___ 좋아요. 하지만 차___ 싫어요.
- 뭐___ 맛있어요? → 김밥___ 맛있어요.
Answer key
- (No particle needed after 학생 here; you’d say “저는 학생이에요.”)
- 제가 (answer emphasis)
- 커피는, 차는 (contrast)
- 뭐가, 김밥이 (question/answer focus)
2) Make this sentence sound contrastive
- 저는 매운 음식을 좋아해요.
→ 저는 매운 음식은 좋아해요. (Even better if you add “but…” afterward.)
Homework (10 minutes, focused)
- Make 5 sentences: “저는 ___을/를 좋아해요/싫어해요.” (3 min)
- Make 3 contrast sets using 은/는 (4 min)
- Make 5 general statements (3 min):
- 한국어는 ___.
- 겨울은 ___.
- 오늘은 ___.
10-minute lesson script (teacher-style)
- Opening (1 min): “Today is 은/는. It’s topic, not just subject.”
- Form rule (1 min): “Batchim → 은, no batchim → 는.”
- Topic-setting (3 min): “저는…, 오늘은…, 이 카페는…”
- Contrast (3 min): Build 3 sets: “A는… 하지만 B는…”
- Quick 이/가 taste (2 min): “누가/뭐가? → 제가/김밥이”