Understanding Korean Grammar: Comparing -에 and -에게 in TOPIK

Introduction – Comparing -에 and -에게 in TOPIK

Particles are one of the trickiest parts of Korean grammar for TOPIK beginners. In particular, -에 and -에게 look simple, but their functions are very different. Mastering them will make a big difference in your exam score.

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How to Use -에게 in Korean

In this post, we will compare -에 and -에게, show you how they are used, and provide TOPIK-style practice questions so you can test yourself.

Grammar Focus – -에 vs. -에게

-에

The particle -에 is mainly used to mark a place or time. It answers questions like Where? and When?

Place: It tells us the destination or location of an action.
Time: It tells us when something happens.
Other Uses: In advanced grammar, -에 can also show causes or reasons (예: 행복에 살다), but in TOPIK 1 it usually focuses on place and time.

예문:

저는 학교에 갑니다.
친구는 아침에 운동을 합니다.
책은 책상 위에 있습니다.

👉 Key Point: If the sentence describes a location or time frame, use -에.

-에게

The particle -에게 is used to mark the receiver of an action, usually a living being (a person or an animal). It often answers the question To whom?

Receiver of an action: The subject gives, sends, or says something to another person.
Politeness: In spoken Korean, 한테 is often used instead of 에게, and 께 is used for honorifics.
Restriction: You cannot use -에게 for inanimate objects (e.g., ✘ 책에게, ✘ 컴퓨터에게).

예문:

저는 선생님에게 질문을 했습니다.
수지는 동생에게 편지를 보냈습니다.
친구는 강아지에게 밥을 줍니다.

👉 Key Point: If the sentence has a receiver (a person or animal), use -에게.

How These Particles Appear in TOPIK 1

Both particles are frequently tested in TOPIK 1. Learners must quickly distinguish whether the blank refers to a place/time (-에) or a receiver (-에게).