Korean - Topic Markers

The Korean Topic Marker is one of the most fundamental and nuanced particles in the language. It is used to identify the topic of the sentence—the thing or person the speaker is going to talk about.

The particle has two forms: 은 (eun) and 는 (neun).

1. Forms and Usage

The choice between 은 and 는 depends on whether the preceding noun ends in a consonant or a vowel:

Noun Ends In...	Use This Form	Example	Meaning
Consonant	은 (eun)	책은 (chaek-eun)	As for the book...
Vowel	는 (neun)	저는 (jeo-neun)	As for me...

2. Core Functions of the Topic Marker

The topic marker (은/는) serves two primary roles: Introduction and Contrast.

A. Introduction of the Topic (Setting the Context)

Its most common use is to introduce the main subject of discussion or to refer to an already established topic. It sets the scope of the sentence.

It often translates loosely as "As for [Noun]..."

• Example 1:

  • 저는 학생이에요.
  • Jeo-neun haksaeng-ieyo.
  • As for me, I am a student. (The speaker is establishing "me" as the topic of conversation.)

• Example 2 (Established Topic):

  • 오늘 날씨는 따뜻해요.
  • Oneul nalssi-neun ttatteuthaeyo.
  • As for today's weather, it is warm. (The sentence is about "today's weather.")

B. Contrast and Comparison (The Nuance)

This is the most critical function and often where 은/는 differs most from the Subject Marker (이/가). When 은/는 is used, especially after the initial topic has been set, it often carries an implicit or explicit sense of contrast, comparison, or emphasis.

• Example 3 (Contrast):

  • 커피는 좋아해요. 차는 안 좋아해요.
  • Keopi-neun joahaeyo. Cha-neun an joahaeyo.
  • I like coffee (but I'm implying something else is different). I don't like tea (contrasting tea with coffee).

• Example 4 (Focus Shift):

  • 사과는 맛있어요.
  • Sagwa-neun masisseoyo.
  • Apples are delicious (but maybe other fruits are not, or maybe the topic shifted from oranges to apples).

3. Distinction from the Subject Marker (이/가)

It is crucial to understand that 은/는 is not the same as the Subject Marker (이/가).

Feature	Topic Marker (은/는)	Subject Marker (이/가)
Function	Marks the Topic (what the sentence is about).	Marks the Subject (who/what is performing the action).
Focus	Sets the Context or provides Contrast.	Highlights the Specific Subject or provides New Information.
Example	저는 선생님이에요. (I, as the topic, am a teacher.)	제가 왔어요. (I, specifically, am the one who came.)