Beginner Estimated read: 3 mins

이/가

Attached to a noun to indicate that it is the subject of the sentence. It is often used to introduce new information, point out a specific subject, or emphasize 'who' or 'what' performed an action.

Summary

Equivalent

Subject Marker

Also: 은/는 (in some contexts)

Example

The weather is very good today.

오늘 날씨가 아주 좋습니다.

Grammar rules

  • If the noun ends in a vowel, attach '가' (e.g., 의자가).
  • If the noun ends in a consonant, attach '이' (e.g., 가방이).
  • When attached to the pronouns 나 (I), 저 (I - humble), and 누구 (who), they change to 내가, 제가, and 누가 respectively.

    누가 선생님이에요? (Who is the teacher?) / 제가 선생님이에요. (I am the teacher.)

Patterns

1

Nouns ending in a vowel

N/A · Noun + 가

2

Nouns ending in a consonant

N/A · Noun + 이

Example sentences

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

The weather is very good today.

오늘 날씨가 아주 좋습니다.

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

A friend is waiting outside.

친구가 밖에서 기다리고 있어요.

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

There is no desk in the room.

방에 책상이 없습니다.

Conversation

A: Where does it hurt?

어디가 아파요?

B: My stomach hurts a bit.

배가 좀 아파요.

Practice

Fill in the blank

Select the correct subject marker.

Eating.

Introduction.