Korean Object Particles –eul / –reul (을/를) Explained (+ Worksheet)

The Korean object particles -eul (을) and -reul (를) are markers attached to a noun to show that it is the direct object of a verb in a sentence.

The rule for using them is simple: -eul (을) is used after a noun that ends in a consonant, and -reul (를) is used after a noun that ends in a vowel.

Mastering these particles is a fundamental step in building grammatically correct Korean sentences, as they clarify who or what is receiving the action of the verb.

This guide will provide a complete and detailed look at the Korean object particles. We will start by breaking down the core rule of when to use -eul (을) versus -reul (를) with plenty of examples.

We will then explore the specific role these particles play in sentence structure, contrasting them with the topic and subject markers.

We will also look at when these particles can be dropped in casual conversation. To ensure you feel fully prepared, this article includes a practice worksheet to help you test and solidify your new skills.

The Golden Rule: Consonant vs. Vowel

This section is dedicated to the single most important rule you need to know for using object particles correctly. The choice between -eul (을) and -reul (를) is 100% based on the sound of the final letter of the noun it is attached to.

When to Use -reul (를): After a Vowel

If the last syllable of the noun ends in a vowel sound, you attach -reul (를). This helps the words flow together smoothly.

• 사과 (sagwa) – Apple (ends in the vowel ㅏ) → 사과를 (sagwa-reul)
• 커피 (keopi) – Coffee (ends in the vowel ㅣ) → 커피를 (keopi-reul)
• 자동차 (jadongcha) – Car (ends in the vowel ㅏ) → 자동차를 (jadongcha-reul)

Let’s See -reul (를) in Action (8 Examples)

1. “저는 사과를 먹어요.” (Jeoneun sagwa-reul meogeoyo.)”I eat an apple.”
2. “친구가 편지를 써요.” (Chingu-ga pyeonji-reul sseoyo.)”My friend writes a letter.” (편지 ends in ㅣ)
3. “아이가 우유를 마셔요.” (Ai-ga uyu-reul masyeoyo.)”The child drinks milk.” (우유 ends in ㅜ)
4. “저는 매일 아침 커피를 마셔요.” (Jeoneun maeil achim keopi-reul masyeoyo.)”I drink coffee every morning.”
5. “아버지가 자동차를 운전해요.” (Abeoji-ga jadongcha-reul unjeonhaeyo.)”My father drives the car.”
6. “학생이 의자를 옮겨요.” (Haksaeng-i uija-reul omgyeoyo.)”The student moves the chair.” (의자 ends in ㅏ)
7. “저는 K팝 노래를 들어요.” (Jeoneun K-pop norae-reul deureoyo.)”I listen to K-pop songs.” (노래 ends in ㅐ)
8. “동생이 텔레비전을 봐요.” (Dongsaeng-i tellebijeon-eul bwayo.)”My younger sibling watches television.”
   Wait, why -eul here? Because 텔레비전 (tellebijeon) ends with the ㄴ (n) consonant sound, not a vowel. Let’s look at that next!

When to Use -eul (을): After a Consonant

If the last syllable of the noun ends in a consonant sound (called a 받침 – batchim), you attach -eul (을). The vowel ㅇ (eu) is added to make the pronunciation easier and clearer.

• 책 (chaek) – Book (ends in the consonant ㄱ) → 책을 (chaeg-eul)
• 밥 (bap) – Rice / Meal (ends in the consonant ㅂ) → 밥을 (bab-eul)
• 물 (mul) – Water (ends in the consonant ㄹ) → 물을 (mur-eul)

Let’s See -eul (을) in Action (8 Examples)

1. “학생이 책을 읽어요.” (Haksaeng-i chaeg-eul ilgeoyo.)”The student reads a book.”
2. “저는 밥을 먹어요.” (Jeoneun bab-eul meogeoyo.)”I eat a meal.”
3. “고양이가 물고기을 잡았어요.” (Goyangi-ga mulgogireul jabasseoyo.)”The cat caught a fish.”
   Wait, that sounds wrong. Why is it -reul? Ah, because 물고기 (mulgogi) ends in the vowel ㅣ (i)! This shows how important it is to look at the very last sound. Now for a real example.
4. “저는 창문을 열었어요.” (Jeoneun changmun-eul yeoreosseoyo.)”I opened the window.” (창문 ends in ㄴ)
5. “아이가 그림을 그려요.” (Ai-ga geurim-eul geuryeoyo.)”The child draws a picture.” (그림 ends in ㅁ)
6. “친구가 옷을 샀어요.” (Chingu-ga os-eul sasseoyo.)”My friend bought clothes.” (옷 ends in ㅅ)
7. “저는 음악을 들어요.” (Jeoneun eumag-eul deureoyo.)”I listen to music.” (음악 ends in ㄱ)
8. “강아지가 공을 가지고 놀아요.” (Gangaji-ga gong-eul gajigo norayo.)”The puppy plays with a ball.” (공 ends in ㅇ)

The Role of the Object Particle: What Does It Actually Do?

Now that we know which particle to use, let’s understand why we use it. The object particle’s job is to clearly point out the noun that is being directly affected by the verb.

Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) Sentence Structure

Korean sentence structure is different from English. While English is Subject-Verb-Object (SVO), Korean is Subject-Object-Verb (SOV).

• English: I (S) eat (V) an apple (O).
• Korean: 저는 (S) 사과를 (O) 먹어요 (V). (Jeoneun sagwa-reul meogeoyo.)

The verb always comes at the end. Because the word order can sometimes be flexible, particles are essential for clarifying the role of each noun.

• “친구가 저를 기다려요.” (Chingu-ga jeo-reul gidaryeoyo.)
  • 친구 (chingu) has the subject particle -가 (-ga), so the friend is the one doing the action.
  • 저 (jeo) has the object particle -를 (-reul), so “I” am the one being waited for.
  • Meaning: “My friend is waiting for me.”

Even if you scrambled the words, the meaning stays clear thanks to the particles:

• “저를 친구가 기다려요.” (Jeo-reul chingu-ga gidaryeoyo.) – The meaning is still “My friend is waiting for me.”

What kind of verbs need an object?

Object particles are used with transitive verbs. A transitive verb is an action verb that needs to transfer its action onto something—the direct object.

• Transitive verbs (need an object):
  • 먹다 (meokda): to eat (You have to eat something.)
  • 보다 (boda): to see (You have to see something.)
  • 사다 (sada): to buy (You have to buy something.)
  • 좋아하다 (joahada): to like (You have to like something.)
• Intransitive verbs (do not need an object):
  • 가다 (gada): to go (The action is not transferred to an object.)
  • 자다 (jada): to sleep
  • 울다 (ulda): to cry

You would never use -eul / -reul with an intransitive verb.

Object Particles vs. Topic/Subject Particles: A Quick Comparison

One of the biggest hurdles for learners is knowing when to use the object particle -eul / -reul versus the topic particle -eun / -neun or the subject particle -i / -ga.

Let’s look at one sentence with all three:

저는 (topic) 책이 (subject) 좋아요. (Jeoneun chaeg-i joayo.)“As for me, I like books.”(좋다 (jota) “to be good” is a descriptive verb, so it takes a subject particle).

저는 (topic/subject) 책을 (object) 읽어요. (Jeoneun chaeg-eul ilgeoyo.)“I read books.”(읽다 (ikda) “to read” is an action verb, so it takes an object particle).

A Simple Breakdown

Particle Type	Korean	Function	Example
Topic	-은/는 (-eun/neun)	Marks the main topic of the sentence. “As for…” or “Speaking of…”	저는 학생입니다. (As for me, I’m a student.)
Subject	-이/가 (-i/ga)	Marks the subject who is performing the verb. Identifies who or what.	친구가 왔어요. (My friend came.)
Object	-을/를 (-eul/reul)	Marks the direct object that is receiving the action of the verb.	사과를 먹어요. (I eat an apple.)

Let’s See Them in a Conversation (8 Examples)

1. A: “민준 씨는 (topic) 뭐 마셔요?” (Minjun ssi-neun mwo masyeoyo?) – “As for Minjun, what are you drinking?”
   B: “저는 주스를 (object) 마셔요.” (Jeoneun juseu-reul masyeoyo.) – “I am drinking juice.”
2. A: “누가 이 빵을 (object) 만들었어요?” (Nuga i ppang-eul mandeureosseoyo?) – “Who made this bread?”
   B: “제 친구가 (subject) 만들었어요.” (Je chingu-ga mandeureosseoyo.) – “My friend made it.”
3. A: “저는 영화를 (object) 보고 싶어요.” (Jeoneun yeonghwa-reul bogo sipeoyo.) – “I want to see a movie.”
   B: “어떤 영화가 (subject) 재미있어요?” (Eotteon yeonghwa-ga jaemiisseoyo?) – “Which movie is interesting?”
4. “오늘은 (topic) 날씨가 좋아요. 그래서 저는 공원을 (object) 산책해요.” (Oneur-eun nalssi-ga joayo. Geuraeseo jeoneun gongwon-eul sanchaekaeyo.) – “As for today, the weather is good. Therefore, I am taking a walk in the park.”
5. A: “왜 이 옷을 (object) 안 입어요?” (Wae i os-eul an ibeoyo?) – “Why aren’t you wearing these clothes?”
   B: “이 디자인은 (topic) 제 스타일이 아니에요.” (I dijain-eun je seutair-i anieyo.) – “As for this design, it’s not my style.”
6. “지수는 (topic) 그림을 (object) 잘 그려요. 이 그림이 (subject) 지수가 그린 그림이에요.” (Jisu-neun geurim-eul jal geuryeoyo. I geurim-i jisu-ga geurin geurim-ieyo.) – “As for Jisu, she draws pictures well. This picture is the one that Jisu drew.”
7. A: “점심으로 뭐 먹었어요?” (Jeomsim-euro mwo meogeosseoyo?) – “What did you eat for lunch?”
   B: “저는 김밥을 (object) 먹었어요.” (Jeoneun gimbab-eul meogeosseoyo.) – “I ate gimbap.”
8. “고양이는 (topic) 생선을 (object) 좋아해요. 하지만 우리 집 고양이가 (subject) 가장 좋아하는 것은 츄르예요.” (Goyangi-neun saengseon-eul joahaeyo. Hajiman uri jip goyangi-ga gajang joahaneun geos-eun chyureu-yeyo.) – “As for cats, they like fish. But the thing our cat likes the most is Churu (a brand of cat treat).”

The Spoken Language: When Can You Drop the Object Particle?

In written and formal Korean, you should always use the object particles. However, in casual, spoken Korean, native speakers often drop them if the meaning is clear from the context. This is an important feature of natural, everyday speech.

• Formal/Written: 저는 사과를 먹어요. (Jeoneun sagwa-reul meogeoyo.)
• Casual/Spoken: 나 사과 먹어. (Na sagwa meogeo.)

You can drop the particle -eul / -reul when the noun is clearly the object based on the sentence structure and the verb used.

Let’s See It in Action (8 Examples of Dropped Particles)

1. Full Sentence: “저는 커피를 마시고 싶어요.” (Jeoneun keopi-reul masigo sipeoyo.)
   Casual Speech: “나 커피 마시고 싶어.” (Na keopi masigo sipeo.) – “I want to drink coffee.”
2. Full Sentence: “우리 같이 영화를 볼까요?” (Uri gachi yeonghwa-reul bolkkayo?)
   Casual Speech: “우리 같이 영화 볼까?” (Uri gachi yeonghwa bolkka?) – “Shall we watch a movie together?”
3. Full Sentence: “저는 숙제를 다 했어요.” (Jeoneun sukje-reul da haesseoyo.)
   Casual Speech: “나 숙제 다 했어.” (Na sukje da haesseo.) – “I finished all my homework.”
4. Full Sentence: “민준이가 점심을 먹고 있어요.” (Minjun-iga jeomsim-eul meokgo isseoyo.)
   Casual Speech: “민준이 점심 먹고 있어.” (Minjun-i jeomsim meokgo isseo.) – “Minjun is eating lunch.”
5. Full Sentence: “저는 한국 드라마를 자주 봐요.” (Jeoneun hanguk deurama-reul jaju bwayo.)
   Casual Speech: “나 한국 드라마 자주 봐.” (Na hanguk deurama jaju bwa.) – “I watch Korean dramas often.”
6. Full Sentence: “뭐 마실 것을 드릴까요?” (Mwo masil geos-eul deurilkkayo?)
   Casual Speech: “뭐 마실 거 드릴까요?” (Mwo masil geo deurilkkayo?) – “What can I get you to drink?”
7. Full Sentence: “저는 책 읽는 것을 좋아해요.” (Jeoneun chaek ingneun geos-eul joahaeyo.)
   Casual Speech: “나 책 읽는 거 좋아해.” (Na chaek ingneun geo joahae.) – “I like reading books.”
8. Full Sentence: “오늘 저녁을 뭐 먹을지 고민이에요.” (Oneul jeonyeog-eul mwo meogeulji gomin-ieyo.)
   Casual Speech: “오늘 저녁 뭐 먹지?” (Oneul jeonyeok mwo meokji?) – “What should we eat for dinner tonight?”

Important Note for Learners: While it’s good to be aware that particles are often dropped, as a beginner, it is an excellent habit to always use them. This will train you to think in correct Korean sentence structure and avoid ambiguity. Once you become more advanced, you will naturally get a feel for when it is okay to omit them.

Let’s Practice! Your Object Particle Worksheet

Now it’s time to put your knowledge into practice. Use these exercises to test your ability to choose the right particle and build correct sentences.

Exercise 1: -eul (을) or -reul (를)?

Choose the correct object particle for each noun.

1. 신문 (sinmun) – Newspaper: 신문을 / 신문를
2. 주스 (juseu) – Juice: 주스을 / 주스를
3. 음식 (eumsik) – Food: 음식을 / 음식를
4. 가방 (gabang) – Bag: 가방을 / 가방를
5. 피자 (pija) – Pizza: 피자을 / 피자를
6. 컴퓨터 (keompyuteo) – Computer: 컴퓨터을 / 컴퓨터를
7. 꽃 (kkot) – Flower: 꽃을 / 꽃를
8. 라디오 (radio) – Radio: 라디오을 / 라디오를

(Answers: 1. 을, 2. 를, 3. 을, 4. 을, 5. 를, 6. 를, 7. 을, 8. 를)

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences by adding the correct object particle (-eul or -reul) to the object noun.

1. 저는 텔레비전________ 봐요. (I watch television.)
2. 친구가 선물________ 줬어요. (My friend gave me a present.)
3. 고양이가 쥐________ 잡았어요. (The cat caught a mouse.)
4. 학생들이 한국어________ 공부해요. (The students study Korean.)
5. 저는 매일 운동________ 해요. (I exercise every day.)

(Answers: 1. 을, 2. 을, 3. 를, 4. 를, 5. 을)

Exercise 3: Building Sentences

Combine the words to form a full, grammatically correct sentence. Remember the SOV order!

1. 저 / 빵 / 먹다 (I / bread / to eat)________________________.
2. 민준 / 편지 / 쓰다 (Minjun / letter / to write)________________________.
3. 수지 / 음악 / 듣다 (Suji / music / to listen to)________________________.
4. 저 / 한국 영화 / 좋아하다 (I / Korean movie / to like)________________________.

(Example Answers):

1. 저는 빵을 먹어요. (Jeoneun ppang-eul meogeoyo.)
2. 민준이가 편지를 써요. (Minjun-iga pyeonji-reul sseoyo.)
3. 수지가 음악을 들어요. (Suji-ga eumag-eul deureoyo.)
4. 저는 한국 영화를 좋아해요. (Jeoneun hanguk yeonghwa-reul joahaeyo.)

Conclusion

You have now taken a comprehensive look at the Korean object particles -eul (을) and -reul (를). You know the simple but crucial rule: -eul (을) follows a consonant, and -reul (를) follows a vowel. More importantly, you understand their role in clarifying the structure of Korean’s Subject-Object-Verb sentences and how to distinguish them from topic and subject markers. You are also aware that while these particles are vital, they are often dropped in casual speech—a feature you can start using as you become more comfortable.

Let’s share your experience! What was the most helpful part of this guide for you? Have you struggled with particles before? Try to create your own sentence using an object particle in the comments below. The best way to get comfortable with grammar is to use it, so let’s practice together