Processing keyword: ~에게 [ege] (To someone, for someone)

Korean Grammar Point: ~에게 [ege] (To someone, for someone)

1. Introduction

In Korean, particles play a crucial role in indicating the relationship between words in a sentence. The particle ~에게 [ege] is commonly used to denote the indirect object of a verb, essentially meaning "to someone" or "for someone". Understanding how to use ~에게 correctly will enhance your ability to form more natural and expressive sentences in Korean.

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2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

• ~에게 [ege]: Used to indicate the receiver of an action, typically translated as "to someone" or "for someone".

Structure

The particle ~에게 is attached directly to a noun (usually a person or animate object) to denote the indirect object. Formation:

Noun (Person/Animate Object) + 에게

Formation Diagram

Component	Usage	Example
Noun	Person/Animate object	친구 (friend)
+ 에게	Particle indicating "to"	친구에게 (to a friend)

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3. Comparative Analysis

While ~에게 is used to indicate "to someone," there are other particles with similar meanings that are used in different contexts.

Comparison with Similar Particles

Particle	Usage	Politeness Level	Example
~에게	To someone (written/formal contexts)	Neutral	선생님에게 (to the teacher)
~한테	To someone (spoken/informal contexts)	Informal	친구한테 (to a friend)
~께	To someone (honorific)	Formal Honorific	할아버지께 (to grandfather)
~에	To a place or time	N/A	학교에 (to school)

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4. Examples in Context

Formal Written Context

• 선생님에게 편지를 썼습니다.
  • I wrote a letter to the teacher.
• 고객에게 이메일을 보냈습니다.
  • I sent an email to the customer.

Informal Spoken Context

• 친구에게 선물을 줬어요.
  • I gave a gift to my friend.
• 누나에게 전화했어.
  • I called my older sister.

Honorific Context

• 할머니께 말씀드렸습니다.
  • I told grandmother.

Negative Sentences

• 동생에게 거짓말하지 마세요.
  • Don't lie to your younger sibling.

Questions

• 누구에게 이 책을 줄 거예요?
  • To whom will you give this book?

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5. Cultural Notes

Levels of Politeness and Formality

Korean language has a hierarchical structure of politeness levels. Choosing the appropriate particle is essential for respectful communication.

• ~에게: Used in neutral and formal contexts, suitable for most situations.
• ~께: Honorific form used when referring to someone of higher social status or to show respect (e.g., elders, teachers).
• ~한테: Informal variant commonly used in casual conversations among friends or peers.

Idiomatic Expressions Using ~에게

• 운명에게 맡기다
  • To leave it to fate.
• 시간에게 길을 묻다
  • To ask time for the way (to wait for things to unfold).

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6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Common Mistakes

1. Mixing up ~에게 and ~에
   • Incorrect: 저는 친구에 편지를 보냈어요.
   • Correct: 저는 친구에게 편지를 보냈어요.
   • Explanation: ~에 is used for places or times, not for people as indirect objects.
2. Using ~에게 with Inanimate Objects
   • Incorrect: 나무에게 물을 줬어요.
   • Correct: 나무에 물을 줬어요.
   • Explanation: Since a tree is inanimate, ~에 is more appropriate.

Tips to Remember

• Mnemonic for ~에게:
  • Think of "애기(e-gi)" which sounds like "baby" in Korean. You give things to a baby (에게).
• Animate vs. Inanimate:
  • Use ~에게 for animate beings (people, animals).
  • Use ~에 for inanimate objects or places.

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7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• ~에게 is used to indicate the indirect object (usually a person) in a sentence, meaning "to someone" or "for someone".
• It is attached directly to the noun without any space.
• Be mindful of the formality level and choose between ~에게, ~한테, and ~께 accordingly.
• Avoid confusion with ~에, which is used for locations or times.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. Which particle would you use to say "I gave a book to my teacher"? a) 에게
   b) 한테
   c) 께
2. Fill in the blank: 친구___ 메시지를 보냈어요. (I sent a message to my friend.)
3. True or False: ~에게 can be used with inanimate objects.

Answers:

1. c) 께 (선생님께 책을 드렸어요.)
2. 에게 (친구에게 메시지를 보냈어요.)
3. False

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By mastering ~에게, you've taken another step towards fluency in Korean, enabling you to express giving, sending, and communicating actions more naturally and accurately.

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