Stop Misusing 에 vs 에서: Simple Guide for Beginner Korean Learners

 

Many beginners often mix up 에 and 에서, which leads to awkward or incorrect Korean sentences. This video lesson eliminates that confusion by clearly illustrating when to use each particle.

 

🎯 What You’ll Learn

  • 에 – Used to indicate location (static/existing) or destination/time (e.g., “at the library” or “by 3 PM”).

  • 에서 – Marks the place where an action occurs or indicates origin (e.g., “study at-home” or “come from Seoul”).

  • Watch real-life example sentences to see these particles in action.

  • A quick summary at the end helps reinforce the rules.

 

💡 Why It Matters

Particles are the backbone of Korean sentence structure—especially 에 vs. 에서. Using the wrong one can completely change your meaning:

  • Saying “학교에 공부해요” (wrong) instead of “학교에서 공부해요” sounds unnatural and inaccurate.

  • Understanding this difference ensures your sentences are grammatically correct and naturally fluent.

 

🎥 Watch the Video

👉 Click here to watch on YouTube
🛑 Tip: Pause after each example and think about whether the speaker is describing a location or an action.

 


🧠 Quick Reference Guide

Particle Use Case Example
에 Static location / destination / time “도서관에 있어요.” (I am at the library.)
에서 Place of action / origin “도서관에서 책을 읽어요.” (I read a book at the library.)

 


✏️ Practice Challenge

Try these:

  • “I eat lunch at the cafeteria.”

  • “I came from Seoul.”

  • “By 6 PM I’m at home.”

Which particle goes where?

 

📣 Let’s Chat!

Did this lesson clear things up?
Write your own sentences using 에 and 에서, and I’ll check them for you!
Don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel for more beginner-friendly grammar lessons.

 

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