Korean Lessons ᚛ Level 1 - My First Steps in Korean (Lessons 1 to 30) ᚛ Lesson 30 - The place particle with action [에서]

The place particle with action [에서]

In this course: 에서

In the previous chapter, we learned how to use the 에 particle to mark a place. However, it could only be used when talking about:

• a destination towards which we are heading
• the presence or absence of something or someone, without describing any particular action
• an action performed on a specific object

The particle 에서, on the other hand, indicates a place in which an action takes place.

Expressing a place with action

The particle 에서 makes it clear that something is happening in a specific place. By using the particle 에서, we expect to find an action verb at the end of the sentence.

집에서 방 청소해.
→ I clean my room at home.

부엌에서 핸드폰을 떨어트렸습니다.
→ I dropped my phone in the kitchen.

발리에서 서핑을 배울 거예요.
→ I'm going to learn to surf in Bali.

매일 공원에서 산책을 했습니다.
→ I walked in the park every day.

저는 프랑스에서 태어났습니다.
→ I was born in France.

Differences between 에 and 에서

It is necessary to distinguish between 에 and 에서 which describe two different things:

• If we indicate a destination with a verb of movement (to go, to return, to go up… etc), we use 에.
• If we indicate a place and simply describe the presence (있다) or absence (없다) of something or someone, we use 에.
• If we indicate a place and we describe an action (eating, doing, studying, playing, speaking... etc.), we use 에서.

에서 is literally the particle for "a place in which something happens".

Note: the verb 살다 (= to live) can be used with both particles, but 에서 will create emphasis on where you live.

저는 서울에 살아요. / 저는 서울에서 살아요.
→ I live in Seoul.

Combination of particles

Exercises

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