Listen to the simplest example in the set. The next section defines the topic.
What Are Korean Auxiliary Particles?
Korean auxiliary particles are particles that add a meaning to the word they follow. A particle (조사, josa) is a short word that attaches to a noun and shows its role or adds a nuance. Korean has two broad kinds, and the difference decides how you use them.
Case particles mark the role of a noun in the sentence. 이/가 marks the subject, and 을/를 marks the object. 저는 커피를 마셔요 uses 는 (topic) and 를 (object). Learn them in the hubs on korean topic and subject particles and korean object particle.
Auxiliary particles add a meaning on top of the role. 저도 커피를 마셔요 means "I also drink coffee," and 저만 커피를 마셔요 means "Only I drink coffee." In both sentences the auxiliary particle takes the place of the topic or subject particle. This replacement is the first rule of the set: 도 and 만 do not stack on 이/가 or 을/를. Place particles such as 에서 stay, and the auxiliary particle follows them: 학교에서도 ("at school too").
This set also includes 들 and 씩. The Standard Korean Dictionary files 씩, and 들 after a noun, as suffixes, but learners meet them in the same places as the other small words, so they are taught together here. The set belongs to the wider hub on korean particles. The next section gives a route through the lessons.
Where Should You Start with Korean Auxiliary Particles?
Start with 도, then 만, then (이)나. These three show the main pattern: a small word takes the place of 이/가 or 을/를 and changes the meaning. The rest build on that idea. Four stages cover the whole set.
- Stage 1: add and limit. Read also particle 도, then only particle 만, then (이)나 or particle.
- Stage 2: amounts and groups. Read 들 plural marker and 씩 each particle.
- Stage 3: degree and surprise. Read (이)라도 even if particle and 조차 마저 even particles.
- Stage 4: politeness and stacking. Read 요 polite particle and combining particles 에는 에서도 에게만.
Who can skip ahead? A learner who already uses 도 and 만 correctly can start at stage 2. A learner who needs the topic marker first should read the lesson on topic particle 은/는, because 도 and 만 often replace it. The next section describes each lesson.
Browse by Topic
Each lesson below has a short description, one example sentence with Revised Romanization (RR, the official Latin spelling, shown only as an aid) and audio.
Also Particle 도
This lesson teaches 도, which adds one more item to what was already said. It replaces 은/는, 이/가 and 을/를 and follows 에, 에서 and 에게. Example: 저도 학생이에요. (jeodo haksaengieyo.) "I am a student too." Open also particle 도.
Only Particle 만
This lesson teaches 만, which limits an action or a state to one item. It covers amounts such as 하나만 and the difference from 밖에 and 뿐. Example: 물만 마셔요. (mulman masyeoyo.) "I drink only water." Open only particle 만.
(이)나 or Particle
This lesson teaches (이)나, which means "or" between nouns and "as many as" after an amount. It explains the choice of 이나 or 나 and why verbs need -거나. Example: 커피나 차를 마셔요. (keopina chareul masyeoyo.) "I drink coffee or tea." Open (이)나 or particle.
(이)라도 Even If Particle
This lesson teaches (이)라도, which means "at least" or "even" and offers a second-best choice. Example: 물이라도 주세요. (murirado juseyo.) "Please give me at least some water." Open (이)라도 even if particle.
조차 마저 Even Particles
This lesson teaches 조차 and 마저, which both mean "even" with a feeling of surprise or loss. Example: 친구조차 몰라요. (chingujocha mollayo.) "Even my friend doesn't know." Open 조차 마저 even particles.
요 Polite Particle
This lesson teaches the particle 요, which makes a word or a short phrase polite. It also shows that the same 요 turns casual verb endings such as 먹어 into 먹어요, and why 감사합니다요 is wrong. Example: 이거요? (igeoyo?) "This one?" Open 요 polite particle.
들 Plural Marker
This lesson teaches 들, which marks more than one but is optional when a number or the context already shows plural. It covers pronouns and speech uses such as 다들. Example: 친구들을 만나요. (chingudeureul mannayo.) "I meet my friends." Open 들 plural marker.
씩 Each Particle
This lesson teaches 씩, which follows an amount and means "each," "at a time" or "per." It shows how it differs from 마다. Example: 하나씩 주세요. (hanassik juseyo.) "Please give me one each." Open 씩 each particle.
Combining Particles 에는 에서도 에게만
This lesson teaches the order of stacked particles: a place or direction particle first, an auxiliary particle second. Example: 서울에도 가요. (seouredo gayo.) "I go to Seoul too." Open combining particles 에는 에서도 에게만.
The snippets show nine small words with nine different jobs. The next section helps you choose between them.
Which Lesson Fits Your Sentence?
Choose the lesson by the idea you want to add to the noun. The table lists the idea, the particle, an example and the lesson to open.
| You want to say | Particle | Example | Lesson |
|---|---|---|---|
| also, too | 도 | 저도 가요. | also particle 도 |
| only, just | 만 | 물만 마셔요. | only particle 만 |
| or; as many as | (이)나 | 커피나 차 | (이)나 or particle |
| at least, even if only | (이)라도 | 물이라도 주세요. | (이)라도 even if particle |
| even (with surprise) | 조차, 마저 | 친구조차 몰라요. | 조차 마저 even particles |
| a polite short reply | 요 | 이거요? | 요 polite particle |
| more than one | 들 | 친구들 | 들 plural marker |
| each, at a time | 씩 | 하나씩 | 씩 each particle |
| also or only after 에, 에서, 에게 | 에도, 에서만 | 학교에서도 | combining particles 에는 에서도 에게만 |
If you are unsure, ask two questions. First, does the sentence add, limit or offer a choice? Then start with 도, 만 or (이)나. Second, is a place or direction particle already in the sentence? Then read the combining lesson. A comparison of the three most common particles follows.
How Do 도, 만 and 은/는 Compare?
도 adds an item, 만 limits to one item, and 은/는 sets a topic or a contrast. All three sit in the same slot after a noun, so they replace each other. The table uses one sentence frame.
| Point | 도 | 만 | 은/는 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Example | 저도 알아요. | 저만 알아요. | 저는 알아요. |
| English | I know too. | Only I know. | I know (as for me). |
| Others | share the state | do not share it | may differ |
| Replaces 이/가, 을/를 | yes | yes | yes |
| Form changes | none | none | 은 or 는 |
The most common first mistake in this set is stacking. Writing 저도가 or 커피를만 is wrong, because the small word already fills the particle slot. Write 저도 and 커피만. The lessons on also particle 도 and only particle 만 explain the rule in depth. The next section shows how to practise.
How Do You Practise Korean Auxiliary Particles?
Practise Korean auxiliary particles in three steps: read one lesson, do its practice, then review with quizzes and flashcards. Each lesson ends with four exercises and an answer key. The site-wide tools extend that work.
- Take the grammar quizzes to test the particles in random sentences.
- Review the forms with the grammar flashcard decks.
- Use the Korean verb conjugator to check the verb in your own sentence, since the particles often sit next to a verb you still need to conjugate.
An honest scope note: this set covers the nine small words above. It does not cover the topic and subject particles, the object particles or the place particles, which have their own hubs under Korean particles. It also does not cover 밖에, 뿐 and 마다, which are in the comparison lessons such as 만 vs 밖에 and 마다 every particle. With the route, the guide and the practice tools, Korean auxiliary particles become a short list of habits instead of a pile of exceptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I combine two particles?
Yes, but only in a fixed order. A place or direction particle comes first and an auxiliary particle follows: 학교에서도, 친구에게만, 서울에는. Auxiliary particles such as 도 and 만 replace 이/가 and 을/를, so 커피를도 and 제가만 are wrong. The combining lesson sets out every allowed order.
What does the particle 요 do?
The particle 요 makes a word or a short phrase polite. 이거요? means "This one?" in a polite voice, and 저도요 means "Me too." It is the same 요 that turns the casual 먹어 into the polite 먹어요. The 요 lesson shows where it can attach and where it cannot.
Which lesson in Korean auxiliary particles should I read first?
Start with 도 ("also"), then 만 ("only"), then (이)나 ("or"). These three teach the main idea: a small word takes the place of 이/가 or 을/를 and changes the meaning. After that, learn 들 and 씩 for amounts and groups, and finish with 요 and the combining lesson.
What is the difference between an auxiliary particle and a case particle?
A case particle marks the role of a noun: 이/가 for the subject and 을/를 for the object. An auxiliary particle adds a meaning, such as "also" or "only," and often takes the place of a case particle. Place particles like 에서 usually stay, and the auxiliary particle follows them.
What level is this set?
The set runs from A1 to B2. 도, 만 and 들 are A1 and work in the first weeks of study. (이)나, 씩 and 요 are A2. (이)라도 and the combining lesson are B1, and 조차/마저 is B2, because they add concession, surprise or stacked particles. A beginner can open the lessons in order.