Beginner Estimated read: 3 mins

을/를

Attached to a noun to indicate that it is the direct object of a transitive verb (the thing that the action is happening to).

Summary

Equivalent

Object Marker

Example

I borrowed a Korean book from the library.

도서관에서 한국어 책을 빌렸어요.

Grammar rules

  • If the noun ends in a vowel, attach '를' (e.g., 커피를).
  • If the noun ends in a consonant, attach '을' (e.g., 책을).
  • In casual speech, it is often dropped.
  • Cannot be used with adjectives (descriptive verbs) or intransitive verbs like 가다 (to go) or 있다 (to have).

    돈을 있어요 (X) -> 돈이 있어요 (O) / 학교를 가요 (X) -> 학교에 가요 (O)

Patterns

1

Nouns ending in a vowel

N/A · Noun + 를

2

Nouns ending in a consonant

N/A · Noun + 을

Example sentences

Nouns ending in a consonant · N/A · Noun + 을

I borrowed a Korean book from the library.

도서관에서 한국어 책을 빌렸어요.

Nouns ending in a vowel · N/A · Noun + 를

I drink milk every morning.

매일 아침 우유를 마십니다.

Nouns ending in a vowel · N/A · Noun + 를

I watched an interesting movie at the cinema.

영화관에서 재미있는 영화를 봤어요.

Conversation

A: What are you looking for right now?

지금 무엇을 찾고 있어요?

B: I am looking for my cell phone.

제 핸드폰을 찾고 있어요.

Practice

Fill in the blank

Select the correct object marker.

Eating.

Cleaning.