Learning Korean grammar can be tricky, especially when your native language has a completely different structure. After correcting thousands of Korean texts from learners worldwide, our editors have identified the most common mistakes. Here's how to avoid them.
1. Mixing Up 은/는 and 이/가 (Topic vs Subject Particles)
This is the #1 mistake we see. Many learners use them interchangeably, but they serve different purposes.
은/는 marks the topic — what you're talking about:
- 저는 학생이에요. (As for me, I'm a student.)
이/가 marks the subject — new information or emphasis:
- 누가 학생이에요? 제가 학생이에요. (Who's a student? I am.)
Quick rule: Use 은/는 for general statements and contrast. Use 이/가 for new information and answers to "who/what" questions.
2. Wrong Use of 에 vs 에서 (Location Particles)
- 에 = destination or static location: 학교에 가요 (I go to school)
- 에서 = location of action: 학교에서 공부해요 (I study at school)
If you're doing something at a place, use 에서. If you're just going there or something exists there, use 에.
3. Confusing 로/으로 (Direction vs Instrument)
This particle has multiple meanings:
- Direction: 서울로 가요 (Going toward Seoul)
- Instrument: 젓가락으로 먹어요 (Eating with chopsticks)
- Reason: 감기로 못 갔어요 (Couldn't go because of a cold)
4. Forgetting Honorific Speech Levels
Korean has multiple speech levels. The most common mistake is mixing them in one conversation.
- Formal polite: -ㅂ니다/습니다 (presentations, news)
- Informal polite: -아/어요 (daily conversation with adults)
- Casual: -아/어 (close friends, younger people)
Stick to one level per conversation. Most learners should default to -아/어요.
5. Word Order Confusion
Korean is SOV (Subject-Object-Verb), not SVO like English.
❌ 저는 먹어요 사과를 (I eat apple — English order)
✅ 저는 사과를 먹어요 (I apple eat — Korean order)
The verb always comes last in Korean.
6. Misusing 도 (Also/Too)
도 replaces other particles — it doesn't stack on top of them.
❌ 저는도 학생이에요
✅ 저도 학생이에요 (I'm also a student)
7. Incorrect Use of 못 vs 안
- 못 = can't (inability): 한국어를 못 해요 (I can't speak Korean)
- 안 = don't/won't (choice): 한국어를 안 해요 (I don't speak Korean)
8. Skipping the Object Particle 을/를
While native speakers often drop particles in casual speech, learners should practice using them for clarity.
- 밥 먹었어요 (casual, OK)
- 밥을 먹었어요 (clearer, recommended for learners)
9. Tense Errors in Complex Sentences
In Korean, only the final verb carries the tense marker in most cases.
❌ 어제 학교에 갔고 공부했어요
✅ 어제 학교에 가고 공부했어요 (past tense only on the last verb)
10. Direct Translation from English
The biggest trap. Korean expresses many things differently:
- "I miss you" → 보고 싶어요 (literally: "I want to see you")
- "I'm sorry" → 미안해요 (apology) vs 안타까워요 (sympathy)
- "It's fun" → 재미있어요 (literally: "fun exists")
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