Korean

Particle

을 • ‎(-eul)

1. particle indicating the direct object of a verb

Usage notes

• Like other Korean particles, 을 (eul) is a postposition. It marks the preceding noun as the direct object of the following verb.
• 을 (-eul) only comes after a word ending in a consonant. If the modified word ends in a vowel, 를 (-reul) is used instead:
• 책 + 을 => 책을

  chaek + eul => chaeg-eul

• 사과 + 를 => 사과를

  sagwa + reul => sagwa-reul

• 을 (-eul) is optional if it can be inferred that the noun is the direct object (as opposed to the subject).

If the noun is the main topic of the sentence and it can be inferred that the noun is the direct object (as opposed to the subject), 은 (-eun) may be used instead, though in many cases 은 (-eun) might be interpreted as a contrast.

See also

• 이 (i)
• 은 (eun)

Etymology 2

Suffix

을 • ‎(-eul)

1. that will; who will, alternative form of ㄹ (-l), used after consonants.