-에다가
In Addition to, On Top of
-에다가 attaches to nouns and means 'in addition to' or 'on top of'. It can also specify a location where you put something.
How It Works
-에다가 is a versatile particle that builds upon the basic location particle 에. It adds a nuance of 'addition' or emphasizes the specific place where an action is performed.
It has two primary functions:
1. Addition: 'On top of', 'In addition to'
This usage signifies that something is being added to a base noun. It's often used with food, drinks, or when combining items.
- 밥에다가 김치를 올렸어요. (I put kimchi on top of the rice.)
- 커피에다가 우유를 넣을까요? (Shall I add milk to the coffee?)
2. Location of Action: 'In', 'At', 'On'
This usage emphasizes the location where an action, particularly one of placing, writing, or attaching something, takes place. It's more specific than just using 에.
- 공책에다가 이름을 쓰세요. (Write your name in the notebook.)
- 벽에다가 포스터를 붙였어요. (I stuck a poster on the wall.)
Note on Usage:
In spoken Korean, the '가' is frequently omitted, making the pattern simply -에다. The meaning remains the same.
- 여기에다 사인해 주세요. (Please sign here.)
- 가방에다 책을 넣었어요. (I put the book in the bag.)
Examples (4)
- 밥에다가 계란 프라이를 올려 먹으면 맛있어요.
It's delicious if you eat rice with a fried egg on top.
Word by Word: On top of rice, placing a fried egg and eating is delicious.
Here, -에다가 shows that the fried egg is being added 'on top of' the rice.
- 이 서류에다가 서명해 주세요.
Please sign on this document.
Word by Word: On this document, please give a signature.
This usage specifies the location (the document) where the action (signing) should take place. The '가' is often dropped in speech (서류에다).
- 월급에다가 보너스까지 받아서 기분이 좋아요.
I feel great because I received a bonus on top of my salary.
Word by Word: On top of salary, even receiving a bonus, so my feeling is good.
This shows the addition of one thing (bonus) to another (salary).
- 흰색 티셔츠에다가 청바지를 입었어요.
I wore jeans with a white t-shirt.
Word by Word: To a white t-shirt, I wore jeans.
This implies that the jeans were added to the base item (the t-shirt) to complete the outfit.
Common Mistakes
Using -에다가 for simple listing of items.
Not Quite저는 사과에다가 바나나를 샀어요.Better저는 사과하고 바나나를 샀어요.-에다가 implies adding something to a base item. For simply listing two or more equal items, use connecting particles like -하고 or 와/과.
Using -에다가 with verbs of existence like 살다 (to live).
Not Quite저는 한국에다가 살아요.Better저는 한국에 살아요.For simply stating where you live or exist, the particle 에 is correct. -에다가 implies an action of placing or putting something in a location, which doesn't fit with the verb 살다.
Learn This First
To express 'in addition to, on top of', you need to understand the location marker 에.
Related Patterns
- -도Also, Too, Even
Both can imply addition. However, -에다가 adds something to a base noun (커피에다가 설탕 = sugar in the coffee), while -도 marks an item as an additional, separate thing (커피도 마시고 주스도 마셨어요 = I drank coffee and also juice).
- -하고And
-하고 (and 와/과) is used to list nouns of equal status (빵하고 우유 = bread and milk). -에다가 is used when one noun is being added to another (빵에다가 잼을 발랐어요 = I spread jam on the bread).