한테
To, For
한테 is a particle that means "to" or "from" a person or animal. It is the spoken equivalent of 에게.
How It Works
한테 is one of the most common particles in spoken Korean. Its main job is to mark the recipient of an action, similar to "to" in English, or the source of an action, similar to "from" in English.
Key Points:
- Usage: Attaches to nouns representing people or animals. It is NOT used for inanimate objects or places.
- Formality: It is primarily used in informal and conversational settings. The written or more formal equivalent is 에게.
- Meaning: "To" vs. "From"
The meaning of 한테 depends on the verb in the sentence.
- With verbs like 주다 (to give), 보내다 (to send), 말하다 (to speak), 전화하다 (to call), it means "to" the person.
- With verbs like 받다 (to receive), 듣다 (to hear), 배우다 (to learn), it means "from" the person.
For example:
친구한테 선물을 줬어요. (I gave a gift to my friend.)
친구한테 선물을 받았어요. (I received a gift from my friend.)
For places and inanimate objects, you must use the particle 에 instead.
Examples (5)
- 제가 친구한테 편지를 써요.
I write a letter to my friend.
Word by Word: I friend-to letter write.
Here, 한테 indicates that the 'friend' is the recipient of the letter. The verb '써요' (to write) clarifies the direction is 'to' the friend.
- 동생한테 전화했어요.
I called my younger sibling.
Word by Word: Younger sibling-to called.
- 선생님한테 질문이 있어요.
I have a question for the teacher.
Word by Word: Teacher-to question have.
- 누구한테 그 이야기를 들었어요?
Who did you hear that story from?
Word by Word: Who-from that story heard?
In this sentence, the verb '들었어요' (heard) makes it clear that 한테 means 'from'.
- 강아지한테 물을 주세요.
Please give water to the puppy.
Word by Word: Puppy-to water please give.
This example shows that 한테 can be used with animals, not just people.
Common Mistakes
Using 한테 with places or inanimate objects.
Not Quite저는 회사한테 가요.Better저는 회사에 가요.한테 is only used for people and animals. For destinations like 'company' (회사), you must use the location particle 에.
Confusing 한테 (to/from a person) with 은/는 or 이/가 (topic/subject markers).
Not Quite친구가한테 전화했어요.Better친구가 저한테 전화했어요.한테 marks the recipient of the action, not the person performing it (the subject). The subject should be marked with 이/가 or 은/는. The correct sentence means 'My friend called me.'
Related Patterns
- 에게To, For
에게 is the written and more formal equivalent of 한테. They have the same meaning ('to' a person/animal), but 에게 is preferred in writing and formal speech.
- 께To (Honorific)
께 is the honorific version of both 한테 and 에게. You use 께 when the recipient is someone you need to show a high level of respect to, such as a grandparent, teacher, or boss.
- 에To, At
While 한테 is used for people and animals, 에 is used for inanimate objects, places, and time. It's important to distinguish between them. (e.g., 친구한테 줘요 vs. 책상에 둬요).
- -에게서From (A Person)
While 한테 can mean 'from', -에게서 specifically and explicitly means 'from' a person. It's the formal/written counterpart to 한테서. In conversation, 한테 is often used for both 'to' and 'from'.
- 한테 / 에게 / 께Recipient Particles
A comparison of recipient particles by formality level.