N + 에게 / 한테 / 께N + ege / hante / kke
Beginner 1 · #39Lesson 12: 전화 – Phone Calls

N + 에게 / 한테 / 께 – To (Recipient Particle for People/Animals)

Meaning: To (a person or animal receiving an action)

Conjugation & Pattern

  • Person/Animal Noun + 에게 (standard/written) / 한테 (spoken/colloquial)
  • Respected Person Noun + 께 (honorific, often paired with 드리다)

Detailed Usage

Attached to a person or animal noun to mark the indirect object or recipient of actions like 주다 (give), 전화하다 (call), 보내다 (send), 말하다 (tell), or 가르치다 (teach).

Example Sentences

  1. 1

    친구에게 문자 메시지를 보냈어요.

    Chinguege munja mesijireul bonaesseoyo.

    I sent a text message to my friend.

  2. 2

    동생한테 한국어를 가르쳐요.

    Dongsaenghante hangugeoreul gareuchyeoyo.

    I teach Korean to my younger sibling.

  3. 3

    선생님께 전화를 드렸습니다.

    Seonsaengnimkke jeonhwareul deuryeotseumnida.

    I made a phone call to my teacher.

Important Notes

Do not use 에게/한테/께 for inanimate objects, plants, or places; use '에' instead (e.g., 꽃에 물을 줘요 – water the flowers).

Grammar Topics