📘 Day 48: The Particle “에게” – A More Formal Way to Say “To” or “From”

Hi there, Korean learners!
Today, we’re going to learn about a particle that’s very similar to “한테”, which we learned yesterday.
Meet “에게”, a particle that also means “to” or “from”—but it’s a little more formal or written than “한테.”

Let’s dive in and see how it works!

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💡 What is “에게”?

“에게” is a particle used to indicate:
• The recipient of an action (meaning “to someone”)
• The source of something (meaning “from someone”)

It works the same way as “한테”, but “에게” is more polite or formal.
You’ll see it in books, official writing, or more respectful speech.

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✨ “에게” = “To someone”

Let’s look at how it’s used when giving or sending something to someone:

Korean English
선생님에게 편지를 드렸어요. I gave a letter to the teacher.
아이에게 사탕을 줬어요. I gave candy to the child.
부모님에게 인사를 했어요. I greeted my parents.

Tip: If you want to sound respectful, especially when speaking to or about older people, “에게” is a great choice.

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✨ “에게” = “From someone” (when used with certain verbs)

When you use verbs like 받다 (to receive) or 듣다 (to hear), “에게” means “from someone.”

Korean English
친구에게 선물을 받았어요. I received a gift from a friend.
선생님에게 조언을 들었어요. I got advice from the teacher.
아버지에게 용돈을 받았어요. I got pocket money from my dad.



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🆚 “한테” vs. “에게”

한테 에게
Style Casual, spoken Polite, formal or written
Used with People, animals People, animals
Example 친구한테 줬어요. 친구에게 줬어요.

So, they mean the same thing, but “에게” is a bit more polite. Use it when writing, in formal situations, or when showing respect.

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📝 Practice Time!

Try making sentences with “에게” using these ideas:
1. Write “I sent a message to my teacher.”
2. Say “I received a letter from my grandmother.”
3. Try “I gave my friend a present.”

Give it a shot! Practicing is the best way to remember.

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Great job today!
You’re learning the subtle but important differences in Korean grammar—and that makes your Korean sound so much more natural.
Keep going, and see you again tomorrow!

화이팅! You got this!