In Korean grammar, the concept of articles is different from that of English. Korean does not have definite or indefinite articles like « the » or « a/an. » Instead, it relies heavily on contextual cues to imply whether a noun is specific or non-specific. This is done through the use of particles and word order.
For instance, the particle « 은/는 » is used to mark the topic of the sentence, implying that the noun is specific and known to the speaker and listener. On the other hand, the particle « 이/가 » is used to mark the subject of the sentence, implying that the noun is non-specific and the focus of the sentence.
Additionally, word order plays a significant role in determining specificity. In Korean, the subject usually comes before the object, indicating that the subject is non-specific and the object is specific.
Understanding articles theory in Korean grammar requires a deep understanding of particles, word order, and context. By mastering these aspects, learners of Korean can effectively convey specificity without the need for definite or indefinite articles.