[Grammar] N이/가 | N은/는 차이

	N이/가	N은/는
Usage	Subject Marker	Topic Marker
	Indicates the subject performing an action or being described	Indicates the topic of the sentence, can be translated as "as for" ​
Main Functions	* Introducing New Information * Ansering Questions * Emphasizing the Subject ​	*Known Information or General Facts * Contrasting Subjects * Setting the Context
Forms	N (with consonant) + 이 N (without consonant) + 가	N (with consonant) + 은 N (without consonant) + 는
Examples	학생이 도서관에 있어요. (The student is in the library.)	학생은 도서관에 있어요. (As for the student, he/she is in the library.)
	고양이가 귀여워요. (The cat is cute.)	고양이는 귀여워요. (As for cats, they are cute.)
	비가 와요. (It is raining.)	비는 여름에 자주 와요. (As for rain, it often rains in summer.)

​

1. Usage and Main Functions

1.1 N이/가

​

• Subject Marker (주어의 표시): Used to mark the subject performing the action or being described. 동작이나 상태를 나타내는 주어를 강조합니다

​

• Introducing New Information (새로운 정보): Often introduces new information into the conversation. 새로운 정보를 소개하거나 특정 질문에 답할 때 사용됩니다.

​

• Answering Questions: Used to emphasize the subject when answering questions about "who" or "what".

​

1.2 N은/는

​

• Topic Marker (주제 표시) : Used to introduce or highlight the topic of the sentence. 문장의 주제나 상황을 설정하고 설명할 때 사용됩니다.

​

• Known Information or General Facts (이미 알려진 정보나 일반적 사실): Refers to something already known or previously mentioned, or to make general statements. 이미 언급된 정보나 일반적으로 알려진 사실을 강조합니다.

​

• Contrasting Subjects (대조) : Can be used to contrast two subjects.두 가지 이상의 정보를 대조할 때 사용됩니다.

​

​

2. Example Comparison

​

-Introducing New Information (N이/가):

​

학생이 도서관에 있어요. (The student is in the library.)

"학생이" introduces new information, specifying who is in the library.

​

- General Statement or Known Information (N은/는):

​

학생은 도서관에 있어요. (As for the student, he/she is in the library.)

"학생은" refers to the known topic of the student and adds information about the student being in the library.

​

- Contrasting Subjects (N은/는):

​

고양이는 귀여워요. (As for cats, they are cute.)

개는 커요. (As for dogs, they are big.)

Used to contrast cats and dogs, highlighting their different characteristics.

​

​

3. Summary

​

• N이/가: Subject marker used to highlight the subject, introduce new information, and answer questions about who or what.

​

• N은/는: Topic marker used to introduce or emphasize the topic, make general statements, and contrast different subjects.

​