Directional Particles To and From

Previously I learned that the particle 에 is used to mark location (whether inside, outside, front, back etc.).  This particle is versitile as it is also used to mark ‘TO’ direction like when you say going to Makati….or to Cubao.  The particle 에 (pronounced as eh) is also used to mark direction to for places or non living things while for living things 한테 (pronounced as han-te) is used.  Here are some examples:

• 이본에 가요 (ilbone kayo) – goes to Japan
• 식당에 가요 (shiktang kayo) – goes to restaurant or canteen
• 내 어머니한테 줘요 (nae omonihante  jwoyo) – gives to my mother or can be
• 내 어머니에게 줘요 (nae omoni-eke jwoyo)

To express ‘direction from’ 서  is added to the previous particle. So for living thins it will 한테서 (hanteso) or 에게서 (ekeso) while for non-living things or places it will be 에서.  These are some examples I can think of:

• 내 친구한테서 (chingu hanteso) – from my friend
• 진며 씨한태서 (JinMyungshi hanteso) – from Jinmyung or it can also be written as 진며 씨에게서 (JinMyungshi ekeso)
• 식당에서 (shiktangeso) – from the restaurant or canteen

Since these are particles, there should not be any pause when pronouncing it along with the word it preceeds as if it’s just one word.