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에 vs 에게, 한테, 께

Beginner · TOPIK I

Both can mean 'to' a recipient, but 에 is for things, places and organisations, while 에게/한테/께 are for people and animals.

에A postpositional particle used to indicate that the preceding statement refers to a certain place or space.에게, 한테, 께A postpositional particle that indicates whom a certain object belongs to.

Rules of thumb

  • People and animals take 에게 (written/neutral) or 한테 (spoken).
  • Someone you honour (grandparents, teachers) takes 께.
  • Plants, objects, places, companies and institutions take 에 (꽃에 물을 줘요, 회사에 전화해요).
  • Typical verbs: 주다 give, 보내다 send, 전화하다 call, 말하다 tell, 묻다 ask.

Example sentences

  • 에게, 한테, 께

    I gave my friend a present.

  • 에

    I water the flowers every morning.

  • 에

    Call the company and ask.

  • 에게, 한테, 께

    I wrote a letter to my grandmother.

  • 동생에 문자를 보냈어요.

    Incorrect

    I texted my younger sibling. [Wrong: the recipient is a person, so use 'ege/hante', not 'e']

Often confused with

← All confused pairs