-한테/ 한테서, 에게/ 에게서, 께/ 께서 Particles

Category
Basic Grammar
Premium
Keyword #
To, From
Lesson
1

TL;DR

  • -한테/에게 mean "to" (someone) and -한테서/에게서 mean "from" (someone) 📬
  • -한테 is casual/spoken, -에게 is more formal/written, and -께 is the honorific form 🎩
  • These particles are only used with people and animals (not objects or places) 🐶👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

The Basics ✨

Korean uses different particles depending on whether you're giving something to someone or receiving something from someone! 🎁
-한테 and -에게 both mean "to" (a person)
-한테서 and -에게서 both mean "from" (a person)
The main difference? -한테/-한테서 sound more casual and conversational 💬, while -에게/-에게서 feel more formal and are common in writing 📝

When to Use Each One 🤔

-한테 / -한테서 (Casual & Spoken) 🗣️

Use these when chatting with friends, family, or in everyday conversation! Super natural and relaxed vibes 😊
→ 친구한테 선물을 줬어요.
(I gave a gift to my friend.)
→ 동생한테서 편지를 받았어요.
(I received a letter from my younger sibling.)
→ 강아지한테 밥을 줬어요.
(I gave food to the puppy.)

-에게 / -에게서 (Formal & Written) 📖

Use these in formal situations, written Korean, or when you want to sound a bit more polished ✨
→ 부모님에게 감사 인사를 드렸어요.
(I expressed gratitude to my parents.)
→ 선생님에게서 좋은 소식을 들었어요.
(I heard good news from the teacher.)
→ 그는 친구에게 책을 빌려줬다.
(He lent a book to his friend.)

-께 / -께서 (Honorific) 🎩👑

When talking about or to someone you need to show respect (grandparents, teachers, bosses), use -께 instead! It's the VIP version 💎
Important: There's no -께서 for "from" in modern Korean! Instead, you'll usually use -에게서 or rephrase the sentence 🔄
→ 할아버지께 전화드렸어요.
(I called grandfather.)
→ 선생님께 질문했어요.
(I asked the teacher a question.)
→ 사장님께 보고서를 제출했습니다.
(I submitted the report to the CEO.)

Quick Comparison Chart 📊

Formality
To (someone)
From (someone)
Casual 😎
-한테
-한테서
Formal 🎓
-에게
-에게서
Honorific 👑
-께
-에게서 (usually)

Remember! 🧠💡

These particles are only for people and animals — never use them with objects or places! 🚫
For objects/places, you'd use different particles like -에 or -에서 instead 🏢📍
→ 학교에 가요. ✅
(I go to school.)
→ 학교한테 가요. ❌

Exceptions 🌟

While -한테서 and -에게서 typically mean "from" (indicating the source), sometimes context matters! In very casual speech, -한테 can occasionally be used for both "to" and "from" when the meaning is clear from context 🤷
→ 친구한테 들었어.
(I heard from a friend.)
However, using -한테서 is always clearer and more precise when you mean "from"! 🎯
 
Try the following exercise.
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate particle: -한테/-한테서, -에게/-에게서, or -께/-께서. 📮
 
  • 친구_____ 선물을 받았어요.
      • Answer
      한테서 (or 에게서)
 
 
  • 선생님_____ 질문이 있어요.
      • Answer
      께
 
 
  • 동생_____ 책을 빌려줬어요.
      • Answer
      한테 (or 에게)
 
 
  • 할아버지_____ 용돈을 받았어요.
      • Answer
      께서 (or 한테서/에게서)
 
 
  • 엄마_____ 전화가 왔어요.
      • Answer
      한테서 (or 에게서)
 
 
  • 사장님_____ 보고서를 제출했어요.
      • Answer
      께
 
 
  • 언니_____ 조언을 구했어요.
      • Answer
      한테 (or 에게)
 
 
  • 교수님_____ 편지를 받았어요.
      • Answer
      께서 (or 한테서/에게서)
 
 
  • 오빠_____ 돈을 빌렸어요.
      • Answer
      한테서 (or 에게서)
 
 
  • 부모님_____ 감사 인사를 드렸어요.
      • Answer
      께
 
Vocabulary
선물 - gift
받다 - to receive
질문 - question
책 - book
빌려주다 - to lend
용돈 - allowance
전화 - phone call
보고서 - report
제출하다 - to submit
조언 - advice
구하다 - to seek
편지 - letter
돈 - money
빌리다 - to borrow
감사 인사 - thanks
드리다 - to give (honorific)
Common mistakes
  • 🎯 Don't use -께 or -께서 with friends or siblings — these are only for people you respect (teachers, bosses, grandparents)
  • 📬 Remember: -한테서/-에게서/-께서 are used when receiving FROM someone, while -한테/-에게/-께 are used when giving TO someone
  • 🗣️ -한테 is more casual and conversational, while -에게 is slightly more formal in writing
  • ⚠️ Don't mix particles — if you start with -한테, use -한테서 for "from", not -에게서