When speaking Korean with students, I often notice a very common beginner habit: starting every sentence with “저는” (jeoneun, I) or “당신은” (dangsineun, you). This is a completely logical habit, as in English, sentences feel broken without a subject.
However, omitting subjects in Korean is not just common; it’s the default and most natural way to speak. Once you learn how and when to drop the subject, your Korean will instantly sound much more fluent.
Today, we’ll explore why do Koreans drop subjects and how you can, too.
Why is Omitting Subjects in Korean So Common?
The simple answer is context. Korean is a “high-context” language, which means speakers rely heavily on shared understanding, the situation, and non-verbal cues to convey meaning. English, by contrast, is a “low-context” language that requires meaning to be explicitly stated with words.
Linguists also classify Korean as a “pro-drop” language (pronoun-dropping language). This means that pronouns (like “I,” “you,” “he,” “she”) are not grammatically necessary to form a complete sentence, as long as the subject can be inferred.
In short, Koreans omit subjects because:
- It’s Obvious: In a 1-on-1 conversation, it’s 99% clear who is being talked about.
- It’s Efficient: It makes sentences shorter, faster, and more concise.
How Context Replaces the Subject in Korean
So, if you’re not using “I” or “you,” how does anyone know who you’re talking about? The context in the Korean language provides the answer in several ways.
1. Conversational Context (Me vs. You)
In most one-on-one conversations, the subject is almost always “I” or “you.” Take this simple exchange:
– “밥 먹었어?” (Bap meogeosseo?) – “응, 먹었어.” (Eung, meogeosseo.)
A literal translation is:
– “Ate food?” – “Yeah, ate.”
But every single Korean understands this as:
– “Did you eat food?” – “Yeah, I ate.”
Because I am asking the question to you, “you” is the implied subject. Because you are answering for yourself, “I” is the implied subject. Adding “저는” or “너는” would sound robotic and repetitive.
2. Topic Markers (은/는)
Often, a subject is introduced once at the beginning of a conversation using the topic marker -은 (eun) or -는 (neun).
For example:
제 동생은 학생이에요.(My younger sibling is a student.)(동생은) 똑똑해요.([My sibling] is smart.)(동생은) 지금 도서관에서 공부해요.([My sibling] is studying at the library now.)
Once “my younger sibling” is set as the topic, you don’t need to repeat “he/she” or “my sibling” in every following sentence. The topic is “omitted” because it’s already understood.
3. Verb Endings and Honorifics
Sometimes, the verb ending itself implies the subject. If you say:
드세요.(Deuseyo. – “Please eat.”)
The honorific verb 드시다 (to eat, polite) and the command form ~세요 clearly indicate you are speaking to someone politely. The “you” is built into the verb choice.
When Omitting Subjects Causes Confusion
Of course, omitting subjects in Korean can cause problems if the context is not 100% clear.
Consider this example:
- “오늘 한국에 도착해요.” (Arriving in Korea today.)
What’s the subject of this sentence? This is an example I often use in my lessons. Occasionally, a student might ask, “누가 한국에 도착해요?” (Who is arriving in Korea?).
My answer: “I don’t know.”
Without context, it’s impossible to tell. Is it “I”? “You”? “My boss”? “The package”?
This is why, in situations where the context is unclear or you are talking about a third person who hasn’t been mentioned, specifying the subject becomes necessary. This is especially true in writing (like emails) or in conversations involving multiple people.
Tips for Practicing Omitting Subjects in Korean
This is one of the hardest habits for English speakers to break. Here are a few tips.
1. Default to Dropping “저는” (jeoneun). When you learn how to use 저는, you are often taught it means “I.” A better way to think of it is as a “spotlight” you use only when you need to introduce yourself for the first time or contrast yourself with someone else. (e.g., 저는 학생이에요. – “As for me, I am a student.”) For all other sentences, try not saying it. If your listener looks confused, you can always add it back in.
2. Almost Never Use “당신은” (dangsineun). This is a critical tip. While “당신은” translates to “you,” it is rarely used in spoken Korean. It can sound impersonal (like on a form), romantic (in a song lyric), or even confrontational (in an argument).
Instead of “당신은,” Koreans use:
- The person’s name +
~씨(e.g.,민수 씨는...“Minsu, …”) - The person’s title (e.g.,
선생님은...“Teacher, …”) - Nothing at all (the most common option!)
3. Listen and Imitate. Pay attention to K-dramas or movies. How many times do they really say “저는” or “너는” in a casual conversation? You’ll notice they are omitted almost all the time.
➤ There are clear advantages and disadvantages to omitting subjects in Korean. However, since most daily conversations are one-on-one, you’ll find many opportunities to leave out the subject. Next time you speak Korean, try practicing sentences without “저는” or “당신은.” Your Korean will sound much more natural!
