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

Traveling to South Korea can be an unforgettable experience. But when you don’t speak Korean, everything gets more complicated: ordering in a restaurant or café becomes stressful, you can’t understand signs or directions, asking for help in case of trouble is nearly impossible, and most importantly, you miss out on the very essence of a successful trip to Korea: connecting with the locals.

Since English - Korean machine translators can’t always be trusted (the two languages work in completely different ways), it’s essential to prepare yourself in advance to fully enjoy your trip to South Korea!

Learn more

Comments (0)