Nouns: Case Marker '에'

01

Destination and Direction

When used with verbs of motion, 에 (eeeey) marks the destination or the direction of movement. It translates to to or towards. Common verbs used in this structure include 가다 (ka·daga·daka·daka·ta) - to go, 오다 (o·dao·dao·dao·ta) - to come, and 다니다 (ta·ni·dada·ni·data·ni·data·ni·ta) - to attend/commute.

• 학교에 가요.

  hak·gyo·e ka·yo.hak·gyo·e ga·yo.hak·gyo·e ka·yo.hak·kyo·ey ka·yo.

  I go to school.

• 한국에 왔어요.

  han·guk·e wat·sŏ·yo.han·guk·e wat·seo·yo.han·guk·e wat·sŏ·yo.han·kuk·ey wat·se·yo.

  I came to Korea.

• 오른쪽에 가세요.

  o·rŭn·jjok·e ka·se·yo.o·reun·jjok·e ga·se·yo.o·rŭn·tchok·e ka·se·yo.o·lun·ccok·ey ka·sey·yo.

  Please go to the right side.

02

Static Location (Existence)

에 (eeeey) indicates where something or someone is located or exists. This function is used almost exclusively with the existence verbs 있다 (it·dait·dait·dait·ta) - to be/exist/have and 없다 (ŏp·daeop·daŏp·daep·ta) - not to be/not exist/not have. In this context, it translates to at or in.

• 집에 있어요.

  chib·e it·sŏ·yo.jib·e it·seo·yo.chib·e it·sŏ·yo.cib·ey it·se·yo.

  I am at home.

• 가방 안에 없어요.

  ka·bang an·e ŏp·sŏ·yo.ga·bang an·e eop·seo·yo.ka·bang an·e ŏp·sŏ·yo.ka·pang an·ey ep·se·yo.

  It is not inside the bag.

• 책상 위에 있어요.

  chʰæk·sang wi·e it·sŏ·yo.chaek·sang wi·e it·seo·yo.ch'aek·sang wi·e it·sŏ·yo.chayk·sang ui·ey it·se·yo.

  It is on the desk.

It is important to distinguish this from the particle 에서 (e·sŏe·seoe·sŏey·se). If an action is taking place at a location (e.g., "I study at the library"), you must use 에서 (e·sŏe·seoe·sŏey·se). If you are simply stating that someone/something is present at a location, use 에 (eeeey).

03

Time Marking

Attach 에 (eeeey) to time-related nouns to indicate when an action occurs. This is used with specific times, days of the week, dates, months, and seasons.

• 한 시에 만나요.

  han si·e man·na·yo.han si·e man·na·yo.han si·e man·na·yo.han si·ey man·na·yo.

  Let's meet at one o'clock.

• 주말에 쉬어요.

  chu·mal·e swi·ŏ·yo.ju·mal·e swi·eo·yo.chu·mal·e shwi·ŏ·yo.cu·mal·ey sui·e·yo.

  I rest on the weekend.

• 겨울에 추워요.

  kyŏ·ul·e chʰu·wŏ·yo.gyeo·ul·e chu·wŏ·yo.kyŏ·ul·e ch'u·wŏ·yo.kye·ul·ey chu·wŏ·yo.

  It is cold in winter.

04

Exceptions with Time Words

While 에 (eeeey) is used for most specific time expressions, it is not attached to words that are relative to the present moment. Do not add 에 (eeeey) to the following words:

• 오늘 (o·nŭlo·neulo·nŭlo·nul) - today
• 내일 (næ·ilnae·ilnae·ilnay·il) - tomorrow
• 어제 (ŏ·jeeo·jeŏ·jee·cey) - yesterday
• 지금 (chi·gŭmji·geumchi·gŭmci·kum) - now
• 언제 (ŏn·jeeon·jeŏn·jeen·cey) - when

• 내일 봐요.

  næ·il bwa·yo.nae·il bwa·yo.nae·il bwa·yo.nay·il pwa·yo.

  See you tomorrow.

• 지금 바빠요.

  chi·gŭm ba·bba·yo.ji·geum ba·bba·yo.chi·gŭm ba·ppa·yo.ci·kum pa·ppa·yo.

  I am busy now.

05

Expressing Rates and Frequency

에 (eeeey) can also be used to express a rate or frequency, translating to per in English.

• 일주일에 한 번

  il·ju·il·e han bŏnil·ju·il·e han beonil·ju·il·e han bŏnil·cu·il·ey han pen

  Once a week (Once per week)

• 천 원에 세 개

  chʰŏn wŏn·e se gæcheon wŏn·e se gaech'ŏn wŏn·e se gaechen wŏn·ey sey kay

  Three for 1,000 won