Nouns: Case Marker '에서'

01

Location of an Action

Use 에서 (e·sŏe·seoe·sŏey·se) to indicate where an activity is happening. This is used with dynamic verbs that describe an action, such as "to study," "to work," "to eat," or "to meet." It answers the question: "In which place is the subject performing this action?"

• 저는 도서관에서 공부해요.

  jŏ·nŭn do·sŏ·gwan·e·sŏ gong·bu·hæ·yo.jeo·neun do·seo·gwan·e·seo gong·bu·hae·yo.jŏ·nŭn do·sŏ·gwan·e·sŏ gong·bu·hae·yo.ce·nun to·se·kwan·ey·se kong·pu·hay·yo.

  I study at the library.

• 우리는 식당에서 밥을 먹어요.

  u·ri·nŭn sik·dang·e·sŏ ba·bŭl mŏ·gŏ·yo.u·ri·neun sik·dang·e·seo ba·beul meo·geo·yo.u·ri·nŭn sik·dang·e·sŏ ba·bŭl mŏ·gŏ·yo.u·li·nun sik·tang·ey·se pa·pul me·ke·yo.

  We eat at the restaurant.

• 친구들이 공원에서 놀아요.

  chin·gu·dŭ·ri gong·wŏn·e·sŏ no·ra·yo.jin·gu·deu·ri gong·wŏn·e·seo no·ra·yo.chin·gu·dŭ·ri gong·wŏn·e·sŏ no·ra·yo.cin·ku·tu·li kong·wŏn·ey·se no·la·yo.

  The friends play in the park.

02

Origin or Source ("From")

When used with verbs of movement, such as "to come" 오다 (o·dao·dao·dao·ta) or "to depart" 출발하다 (chʰul·bal·ha·dachul·bal·ha·dach'ul·bal·ha·dachul·pal·ha·ta), 에서 (e·sŏe·seoe·sŏey·se) indicates the origin. In this context, it corresponds to the English preposition from.

• 저는 미국에서 왔어요.

  jŏ·nŭn mi·guk·e·sŏ wass·ŏ·yo.jeo·neun mi·guk·e·seo wass·eo·yo.jŏ·nŭn mi·guk·e·sŏ wass·ŏ·yo.ce·nun mi·kuk·ey·se wass·e·yo.

  I came from the USA.

• 기차가 서울에서 출발해요.

  gi·chʰa·ga sŏ·ul·e·sŏ chʰul·bal·hæ·yo.gi·cha·ga seo·ul·e·seo chul·bal·hae·yo.gi·ch'a·ga sŏ·ul·e·sŏ ch'ul·bal·hae·yo.ki·cha·ka se·ul·ey·se chul·pal·hay·yo.

  The train departs from Seoul.

03

Difference between 에 and 에서

The particle 에서 (e·sŏe·seoe·sŏey·se) is distinct from the particle 에 (eeeey), although both translate to "at" or "in" in English. The correct choice depends on the verb used in the sentence.

• Use 에 (eeeey) for static existence or direction. It pairs with verbs like "to be/exist" 있다 (iss·daiss·daiss·daiss·ta) or "to go" 가다 (ga·daga·daga·daka·ta). It marks where something is or where someone is going to.
• Use 에서 (e·sŏe·seoe·sŏey·se) for dynamic actions. It pairs with action verbs. It marks where someone is doing something.

Compare these examples using the word 집 (jibjibjibcib) - home:

• 집에 있어요.

  jib·e iss·ŏ·yo.jib·e iss·eo·yo.jib·e iss·ŏ·yo.cib·ey iss·e·yo.

  I am at home. (Existence)

• 집에서 일해요.

  jib·e·sŏ il·hæ·yo.jib·e·seo il·hae·yo.jib·e·sŏ il·hae·yo.cib·ey·se il·hay·yo.

  I work at home. (Action)

04

Shortened Form

In spoken Korean, 에서 (e·sŏe·seoe·sŏey·se) is frequently shortened to 서 (sŏseosŏse), particularly after common location pronouns like "here" 여기 (yŏ·giyeo·giyŏ·giye·ki) or "there" 거기 (gŏ·gigeo·gigŏ·gike·ki).

• 여기서 기다리세요.

  yŏ·gi·sŏ gi·da·ri·se·yo.yeo·gi·seo gi·da·ri·se·yo.yŏ·gi·sŏ gi·da·ri·se·yo.ye·ki·se ki·ta·li·sey·yo.

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