Welcome to Lesson 6 of the Korean language course for English speakers. In this lesson, we will explore the Korean equivalents of the English preposition "to." Unlike English, which uses one word "to" for various contexts, Korean employs several particles depending on whether you're indicating direction to a person (에게/한테), to a place (에), or movement toward something (로/으로). This lesson will help you understand when and how to use these particles correctly.
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Definition: The Korean particles 에게 (ege), 에 (e), and 로 (ro) all translate to "to" in English but are used in different grammatical contexts. 에게 is used when directing something to a person, 에 is used for locations and times, and 로 indicates direction or means.
FAQ Schema Question: What does "to" mean in Korean? Answer: "To" in Korean is expressed through several particles: 에게 (ege) or 한테 (hante) for people, 에 (e) for places and times, and 로 (ro) or 으로 (euro) for directions and means. The choice depends on the grammatical context.
How this topic word will be used: Throughout this lesson, you'll encounter 15 varied examples showing how these particles function in natural Korean sentences. We'll demonstrate their usage with people, places, times, and directional contexts to give you a comprehensive understanding of how Koreans express the concept of "to."
Educational Schema Type: Language Learning Material Subject: Korean Language Level: Beginner to Intermediate Topic: Korean particles equivalent to English "to" Institution: Latinum Institute Format: Self-study reading lesson
Key Takeaways: -
Korean uses different particles for "to" depending on context -
에게/한테 is used with people (indirect objects) -
에 is used with places and times -
로/으로 indicates direction or means -
Word order in Korean differs from English (SOV vs SVO) -
These particles attach directly to the noun they modify
6.1 나는 (na-neun) I 친구에게 (chin-gu-e-ge) friend-to 책을 (chaek-eul) book-OBJ 주었다 (ju-eot-da) gave
6.2 우리는 (u-ri-neun) we 학교에 (hak-gyo-e) school-to 갑니다 (gam-ni-da) go
6.3 어머니는 (eo-meo-ni-neun) mother 아이에게 (a-i-e-ge) child-to 이야기를 (i-ya-gi-reul) story-OBJ 들려주셨다 (deul-lyeo-ju-syeot-da) told
6.4 그녀는 (geu-nyeo-neun) she 서울로 (seo-ul-lo) Seoul-to 여행을 (yeo-haeng-eul) travel-OBJ 갔다 (gat-da) went
6.5 선생님께서 (seon-saeng-nim-kke-seo) teacher-HON-SUBJ 학생들에게 (hak-saeng-deul-e-ge) students-to 숙제를 (suk-je-reul) homework-OBJ 내주셨다 (nae-ju-syeot-da) assigned
6.6 편지를 (pyeon-ji-reul) letter-OBJ 부모님께 (bu-mo-nim-kke) parents-to-HON 보냈습니다 (bo-naet-seum-ni-da) sent
6.7 버스는 (beo-seu-neun) bus-SUBJ 역에 (yeok-e) station-to 도착했다 (do-chak-haet-da) arrived
6.8 고양이가 (go-yang-i-ga) cat-SUBJ 나에게 (na-e-ge) me-to 다가왔다 (da-ga-wat-da) approached
6.9 회사에 (hoe-sa-e) company-to 늦게 (neut-ge) late 도착하지 (do-chak-ha-ji) arrive-NEG 마세요 (ma-se-yo) don't
6.10 할머니께 (hal-meo-ni-kke) grandmother-to-HON 선물을 (seon-mul-eul) gift-OBJ 드렸어요 (deu-ryeot-eo-yo) gave-HON
6.11 아버지는 (a-beo-ji-neun) father-SUBJ 시장에 (si-jang-e) market-to 가셨습니다 (ga-syeot-seum-ni-da) went-HON
6.12 동생에게 (dong-saeng-e-ge) younger-sibling-to 용돈을 (yong-don-eul) pocket-money-OBJ 주었다 (ju-eot-da) gave
6.13 비행기로 (bi-haeng-gi-ro) airplane-by 부산에 (bu-san-e) Busan-to 갈 (gal) go 거예요 (geo-ye-yo) will
6.14 친구한테 (chin-gu-han-te) friend-to 전화를 (jeon-hwa-reul) phone-call-OBJ 했어요 (haet-eo-yo) made
6.15 도서관에 (do-seo-gwan-e) library-to 책을 (chaek-eul) book-OBJ 반납하러 (ban-nap-ha-reo) return-to 갔다 (gat-da) went
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6.1 나는 친구에게 책을 주었다. I gave a book to my friend.
6.2 우리는 학교에 갑니다. We go to school.
6.3 어머니는 아이에게 이야기를 들려주셨다. Mother told a story to the child.
6.4 그녀는 서울로 여행을 갔다. She went on a trip to Seoul.
6.5 선생님께서 학생들에게 숙제를 내주셨다. The teacher assigned homework to the students.
6.6 편지를 부모님께 보냈습니다. I sent a letter to my parents.
6.7 버스는 역에 도착했다. The bus arrived at the station.
6.8 고양이가 나에게 다가왔다. The cat approached me.
6.9 회사에 늦게 도착하지 마세요. Don't arrive late to the company.
6.10 할머니께 선물을 드렸어요. I gave a gift to grandmother.
6.11 아버지는 시장에 가셨습니다. Father went to the market.
6.12 동생에게 용돈을 주었다. I gave pocket money to my younger sibling.
6.13 비행기로 부산에 갈 거예요. I will go to Busan by airplane.
6.14 친구한테 전화를 했어요. I made a phone call to my friend.
6.15 도서관에 책을 반납하러 갔다. I went to the library to return a book.
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6.1 나는 친구에게 책을 주었다.
6.2 우리는 학교에 갑니다.
6.3 어머니는 아이에게 이야기를 들려주셨다.
6.4 그녀는 서울로 여행을 갔다.
6.5 선생님께서 학생들에게 숙제를 내주셨다.
6.6 편지를 부모님께 보냈습니다.
6.7 버스는 역에 도착했다.
6.8 고양이가 나에게 다가왔다.
6.9 회사에 늦게 도착하지 마세요.
6.10 할머니께 선물을 드렸어요.
6.11 아버지는 시장에 가셨습니다.
6.12 동생에게 용돈을 주었다.
6.13 비행기로 부산에 갈 거예요.
6.14 친구한테 전화를 했어요.
6.15 도서관에 책을 반납하러 갔다.
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Grammar Rules for "to" in Korean
Korean expresses "to" through several particles, each with specific uses:
1. 에게/한테 (ege/hante) - "to" for people -
Used when giving, telling, or directing actions toward people -
에게 is slightly more formal than 한테 -
Attaches directly to the person noun -
Example: 친구에게 (to a friend), 선생님에게 (to the teacher)
2. 께 (kke) - Honorific "to" -
Used with respected individuals -
Shows extra respect beyond 에게 -
Example: 부모님께 (to parents), 교수님께 (to professor)
3. 에 (e) - "to" for places and times -
Indicates destination or location -
Also used for time expressions -
Example: 학교에 (to school), 3시에 (at 3 o'clock)
4. 로/으로 (ro/euro) - Directional "to" or means -
Indicates direction of movement -
Also expresses means or method -
로 after vowels, 으로 after consonants -
Example: 서울로 (to/toward Seoul), 버스로 (by bus)
Common Mistakes: -
Using 에 instead of 에게 for people -
Wrong: 친구에 책을 주었다 -
Correct: 친구에게 책을 주었다 -
Forgetting to use 께 for honorific situations -
Wrong: 할아버지에게 말했다 -
Better: 할아버지께 말씀드렸다 -
Confusing 에 and 로 for locations -
에 = specific destination (학교에 갔다 - went to school) -
로 = general direction (북쪽으로 갔다 - went northward)
Step-by-Step Guide:
Step 1: Identify what follows "to" in English -
Is it a person? Use 에게/한테/께 -
Is it a place? Use 에 or 로 -
Is it a time? Use 에
Step 2: Check formality level -
Casual: 한테 -
Neutral/Formal: 에게 -
Respectful: 께
Step 3: Attach the particle directly to the noun -
No space between noun and particle -
The particle is part of the word unit
Grammatical Summary: -
Person + 에게/한테/께 = to person -
Place + 에 = to place (destination) -
Place + 로/으로 = toward place (direction) -
Time + 에 = at time -
Noun + 로/으로 = by means of
Comparison with English: -
English uses one word "to" for all contexts -
Korean differentiates based on recipient type -
Korean particles attach to nouns; English "to" stands alone -
Word order differs: Korean is SOV, English is SVO
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Understanding the use of "to" particles in Korean requires awareness of Korean social hierarchy and respect systems. The choice between 에게, 한테, and 께 reflects the speaker's relationship with the recipient and the formality of the situation.
In Korean culture, age and social status significantly influence language choices. When speaking to or about elders, teachers, or superiors, using 께 instead of 에게 demonstrates proper respect. This is not merely grammatical correctness but a fundamental aspect of Korean social etiquette.
The distinction between 에 and 로 for locations reflects Korean spatial thinking. 에 implies arrival at a specific point, while 로 suggests movement in a direction. This nuanced difference allows Koreans to express spatial relationships more precisely than English "to."
In business and formal settings, the correct use of these particles is crucial. Using 한테 in a business email would be considered too casual, while 에게 or 께 would be appropriate. Understanding these nuances helps English speakers navigate Korean social and professional environments successfully.
The particles also reflect Korean communication style, which tends to be more indirect and context-dependent than English. The choice of particle can subtly convey the speaker's attitude, relationship, and intentions beyond the literal meaning.
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From "어린왕자" (The Little Prince) by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Korean translation:
어린 (eo-rin) little 왕자는 (wang-ja-neun) prince-SUBJ 그 (geu) that 꽃에게 (kkot-e-ge) flower-to 물을 (mul-eul) water-OBJ 주고 (ju-go) give-and 바람막이를 (ba-ram-mag-i-reul) windscreen-OBJ 둘러 (dul-leo) surround 주었습니다 (ju-eot-seum-ni-da) gave. 그는 (geu-neun) he-SUBJ 그녀에게 (geu-nyeo-e-ge) her-to 마음을 (ma-eum-eul) heart-OBJ 다해 (da-hae) fully 봉사했습니다 (bong-sa-haet-seum-ni-da) served.
어린 왕자는 그 꽃에게 물을 주고 바람막이를 둘러 주었습니다. 그는 그녀에게 마음을 다해 봉사했습니다.
The little prince gave water to the flower and put a windscreen around it. He served her with all his heart.
This passage demonstrates the use of 에게 in literary Korean. The little prince's care for his rose is expressed through actions directed "to" her using 에게, showing both the grammatical function and the emotional connection between characters.
-
꽃에게 (to the flower) - personifies the flower by using 에게 instead of 에 -
그녀에게 (to her) - maintains the personification with the animate particle -
The use of 에게 for the flower elevates it to the status of a living being, reflecting the little prince's deep emotional connection
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6.16 김 (gim) Kim 과장님께 (gwa-jang-nim-kke) manager-HON-to 보고서를 (bo-go-seo-reul) report-OBJ 제출했습니다 (je-chul-haet-seum-ni-da) submitted
6.17 내일 (nae-il) tomorrow 회의실에 (hoe-ui-sil-e) meeting-room-to 오전 (o-jeon) morning 10시에 (sip-si-e) 10-o'clock-at 와 (wa) come 주세요 (ju-se-yo) please
6.18 이 (i) this 프로젝트를 (peu-ro-jek-teu-reul) project-OBJ 마케팅 (ma-ke-ting) marketing 팀에게 (tim-e-ge) team-to 인계하겠습니다 (in-gye-ha-get-seum-ni-da) will-hand-over
6.19 고객님께 (go-gaek-nim-kke) customer-HON-to 사과 (sa-gwa) apology 메일을 (me-il-eul) email-OBJ 보내 (bo-nae) send 드렸습니다 (deu-ryeot-seum-ni-da) gave-HON
6.20 부장님께서 (bu-jang-nim-kke-seo) department-head-HON-SUBJ 직원들에게 (jik-won-deul-e-ge) employees-to 공지사항을 (gong-ji-sa-hang-eul) announcement-OBJ 전달하셨습니다 (jeon-dal-ha-syeot-seum-ni-da) delivered-HON
6.21 계약서를 (gye-yak-seo-reul) contract-OBJ 법무팀에 (beom-mu-tim-e) legal-team-to 검토 (geom-to) review 요청했습니다 (yo-cheong-haet-seum-ni-da) requested
6.22 신입사원들에게 (sin-ip-sa-won-deul-e-ge) new-employees-to 교육 (gyo-yuk) training 일정을 (il-jeong-eul) schedule-OBJ 안내했습니다 (an-nae-haet-seum-ni-da) guided
6.23 본사로 (bon-sa-ro) headquarters-to 출장을 (chul-jang-eul) business-trip-OBJ 가게 (ga-ge) go 되었습니다 (doe-eot-seum-ni-da) became
6.24 거래처에 (geo-rae-cheo-e) client-company-to 견적서를 (gyeon-jeok-seo-reul) quotation-OBJ 발송했습니다 (bal-song-haet-seum-ni-da) sent
6.25 회장님께 (hoe-jang-nim-kke) chairman-HON-to 연례 (yeon-rye) annual 보고를 (bo-go-reul) report-OBJ 드렸습니다 (deu-ryeot-seum-ni-da) gave-HON
6.26 해외 (hae-oe) overseas 지사로 (ji-sa-ro) branch-to 파견 (pa-gyeon) dispatch 근무를 (geun-mu-reul) work-OBJ 갑니다 (gam-ni-da) go
6.27 협력업체에게 (hyeop-ryeok-eop-che-e-ge) partner-company-to 제안서를 (je-an-seo-reul) proposal-OBJ 전송했습니다 (jeon-song-haet-seum-ni-da) transmitted
6.28 재무팀에 (jae-mu-tim-e) finance-team-to 예산 (ye-san) budget 승인을 (seung-in-eul) approval-OBJ 요청드립니다 (yo-cheong-deu-rim-ni-da) request-HON
6.29 모든 (mo-deun) all 부서에 (bu-seo-e) departments-to 긴급 (gin-geup) urgent 공지를 (gong-ji-reul) notice-OBJ 발송했습니다 (bal-song-haet-seum-ni-da) sent
6.30 대표이사님께 (dae-pyo-i-sa-nim-kke) CEO-HON-to 최종 (choe-jong) final 결재를 (gyeol-jae-reul) approval-OBJ 받았습니다 (bat-at-seum-ni-da) received
6.16 김 과장님께 보고서를 제출했습니다. I submitted the report to Manager Kim.
6.17 내일 회의실에 오전 10시에 와 주세요. Please come to the meeting room at 10 AM tomorrow.
6.18 이 프로젝트를 마케팅 팀에게 인계하겠습니다. I will hand over this project to the marketing team.
6.19 고객님께 사과 메일을 보내 드렸습니다. I sent an apology email to the customer.
6.20 부장님께서 직원들에게 공지사항을 전달하셨습니다. The department head delivered an announcement to the employees.
6.21 계약서를 법무팀에 검토 요청했습니다. I requested the legal team to review the contract.
6.22 신입사원들에게 교육 일정을 안내했습니다. I informed the new employees about the training schedule.
6.23 본사로 출장을 가게 되었습니다. I will be going on a business trip to headquarters.
6.24 거래처에 견적서를 발송했습니다. I sent a quotation to the client company.
6.25 회장님께 연례 보고를 드렸습니다. I gave the annual report to the chairman.
6.26 해외 지사로 파견 근무를 갑니다. I'm going to work at an overseas branch.
6.27 협력업체에게 제안서를 전송했습니다. I transmitted the proposal to the partner company.
6.28 재무팀에 예산 승인을 요청드립니다. I request budget approval from the finance team.
6.29 모든 부서에 긴급 공지를 발송했습니다. I sent an urgent notice to all departments.
6.30 대표이사님께 최종 결재를 받았습니다. I received final approval from the CEO.
6.16 김 과장님께 보고서를 제출했습니다.
6.17 내일 회의실에 오전 10시에 와 주세요.
6.18 이 프로젝트를 마케팅 팀에게 인계하겠습니다.
6.19 고객님께 사과 메일을 보내 드렸습니다.
6.20 부장님께서 직원들에게 공지사항을 전달하셨습니다.
6.21 계약서를 법무팀에 검토 요청했습니다.
6.22 신입사원들에게 교육 일정을 안내했습니다.
6.23 본사로 출장을 가게 되었습니다.
6.24 거래처에 견적서를 발송했습니다.
6.25 회장님께 연례 보고를 드렸습니다.
6.26 해외 지사로 파견 근무를 갑니다.
6.27 협력업체에게 제안서를 전송했습니다.
6.28 재무팀에 예산 승인을 요청드립니다.
6.29 모든 부서에 긴급 공지를 발송했습니다.
6.30 대표이사님께 최종 결재를 받았습니다.
Special Considerations for Business Emails: -
Honorific Usage is Crucial -
Always use 께 for superiors: 과장님께, 부장님께 -
Use 에게 for colleagues or teams at same level -
Never use casual 한테 in business contexts -
Formal Verb Endings -
Business emails use -습니다/ㅂ니다 endings -
Requests use -주세요 or -드립니다 -
Past tense uses formal -았/었습니다 -
Direction vs. Destination in Business -
본사로 (to headquarters - direction/purpose) -
회의실에 (to meeting room - specific location) -
Choose particle based on emphasis -
Special Business Vocabulary -
제출하다 (submit) + 께 for superiors -
요청하다 (request) + 에/에게 -
전달하다 (deliver/convey) + 에게/께 -
Email Structure Patterns -
Recipient + 께/에게 + Object + Action + 습니다 -
Time/Place + 에 + Action + 주세요 (for requests) -
Department/Team + 에/에게 + Document + Action
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