Subject Particle vs. Topic Particle

This is one of the trickiest concepts for learners of Korean, but don't stress—understanding will come naturally with practice and exposure! Let's break it down with an example just to help you acclimate a bit quicker. Imagine your favorite K-Pop star singing on stage, surrounded by backup dancers. You can describe this scene in two ways, first with 이/가 (subject particle):

or with 은/는 (topic particle):

The translation looks the same, but there is a difference in meaning.

When you use 이/가, you're zooming in on the subject—like putting a spotlight on the singer. This particle emphasizes who is doing the action.

In English, you could interpret this nuance as: “The person who is singing is the woman”

Think of 이/가 as saying: “___ is the one that ___”

It's about identifying or highlighting the subject of the action.

When you use 은/는, you're introducing a topic, making a distinction or comparison. This marker sets the stage by separating the subject from everything else, it's as if you're saying: “As for ___”

은/는 can carry two nuances:

1. The topic is being discussed without comparison. It is independent of others. “As for the woman, she is singing.”
2. The topic is being compared or contrasted with others. “Unlike others, the woman is singing.”