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Understanding the Korean Particles 에 vs. 에서

Both 에 and 에서 are location particles in Korean, but they serve different functions depending on whether the sentence describes location, movement, or action. Let’s break down when and how to use them.

1. 에 – Location To / At

The particle 에 is used to indicate:

  • A destination (where someone or something is going to)
  • A static location (where something exists or is happening)
  • Time (when something happens — not covered in this explanation)

✅ Think of 에 as “to” or “at” in English, when there is no active action taking place at the location.

💬 Examples:

  • 학교에 가요.
    (I go to school.)
  • 집에 있어요.
    (I’m at home.)
  • 의자에 앉아요.
    (I sit on the chair.)

Use 에 when the verb is about existence, movement, or arrival, like:

  • 있다 (to exist/be)
  • 가다 (to go)
  • 오다 (to come)
  • 앉다 (to sit)

2. 에서 – Location From / At (where action happens)

The particle 에서 is used to indicate:

  • Where an action takes place
  • Where something is coming from

✅ Think of 에서 as “at” or “from” when an action is actively happening in that place.

💬 Examples:

  • 도서관에서 공부해요.
    (I study at the library.)
  • 집에서 밥을 먹어요.
    (I eat at home.)
  • 한국에서 왔어요.
    (I came from Korea.)

Use 에서 with active verbs — things people do in a place:

  • 공부하다 (to study)
  • 먹다 (to eat)
  • 일하다 (to work)
  • 놀다 (to play)

Summary Table

Particle Function Translates As Used With Verbs Like
에 Indicates destination or static location to / at 가다, 오다, 있다, 앉다
에서 Indicates location of action or origin at / from 먹다, 공부하다, 일하다, 놀다

Compare the Two

  • 저는 학교에 가요. → I’m going to school. (destination)
  • 저는 학교에서 공부해요. → I study at school. (action happening there)

Final Tip

💡 If someone or something is moving to or existing at a place, use 에.
💡 If something is happening at a place, or coming from a place, use 에서.

With consistent exposure and practice, these will start to feel more intuitive.