을/를 (eul/reul) | what is 을/를? | Korean object particle | rules, stacking, examples
Definition and scope
을/를 marks the direct object of a transitive predicate in Korean. It attaches to a noun with no space and appears immediately before the verb. In administrative notices, reports, and manuals, explicit object marking prevents role ambiguity when multiple arguments occur in the same clause. Accusative marking also extends to measured extent expressions such as time, distance, and quantity.
Form and selection rule
Final-consonant selection
- After a consonant-final noun → use 을.
- After a vowel-final noun → use 를.
계획을 수정했습니다. — The plan was revised.
보고서를 제출했습니다. — The report was submitted.
새 기능을 도입했습니다. — A new feature was introduced.
Spacing and orthography
The particle is written solid with the noun. Proper names keep their base spelling. In formal prose, first mention typically carries 을/를 to fix reference before later ellipsis.
Core functions and templates
Direct object with transitive verbs
Template: N을/를 + V
접속 기록을 검토했습니다. — The access logs were reviewed.
오류 메시지를 저장했습니다. — The error message was saved.
Measurement accusative: extent and duration
삼십 분을 대기했습니다. — Waiting took thirty minutes.
이 킬로미터를 이동했습니다. — Two kilometers were covered.
추가 비용을 부과하지 않았습니다. — No additional fee was charged.
Perception, cognition, and evaluation verbs
변경 사항을 확인했습니다. — The changes were checked.
조치 결과를 평가했습니다. — The outcome was evaluated.
Light-verb constructions with 하다
품질 점검을 실시했습니다. — A quality inspection was carried out.
사전 등록을 완료했습니다. — Pre-registration was completed.
Stacking and role clarity
Focus particles 만/도/조차/까지
Two patterns are standard: keep only the focus particle for brevity, or stack 을/를 after it to preserve accusative marking.
신규 고객만 지원했습니다. / 신규 고객만을 지원했습니다.
핵심 항목조차를 누락하지 않았습니다. — Even the key items were not omitted.
Coordination with 과/와/하고
If the coordinated set acts as one object, place 을/를 on the final noun. If roles diverge, mark each noun separately.
계획과 예산을 함께 검토했습니다. — The plan and the budget were reviewed together.
부모와 학생을 각각 안내했습니다. — The parents and the students were guided separately.
Contrast with subject and dative markers
관리자가 결과를 승인했습니다. — The manager approved the result.
고객에게 안내문을 발송했습니다. — A notice was sent to the customer.
Do not attach 이/가 and 을/를 to the same noun.
Distribution and omission
Object drop in context
Once the referent is recoverable, accusative marking may be omitted. In public-facing documents, first mention remains explicit.
(ambiguous) 제출했습니다. → (clear) 신청서를 제출했습니다.
Passive and causative alternations
담당자가 요청을 처리했습니다. → 요청이 처리되었습니다.
관리자가 직원에게 절차를 따르도록 지시했습니다. — The manager instructed the staff member to follow the procedure.
Register and sentence design
Formal predicates for notices and manuals
계약 조건을 공지했습니다. — Contract terms were announced.
보관 기준을 개정했습니다. — Retention criteria were revised.
Parallel and symmetrical phrasing
Present paired items in matched syntax to avoid role drift.
원인과 대책을 동시에 기록했습니다. — Causes and countermeasures were recorded together.
Frequent errors and remedies
Wrong selection after vowels/consonants
Error: 보고서을 제출했습니다. → Fix: 보고서를 제출했습니다.
Role collision with subjects
Error: 팀이 결과이 좋습니다. → Fix: 결과가 좋습니다. / 팀은 결과가 좋습니다.
Object marking on intransitive adjective predicates
Error: 디자인을 예쁩니다. → Fix: 디자인이 예쁩니다.
Ambiguous omission in formal reports
Error: 확인했습니다. → Fix: 신청 내역을 확인했습니다.
Minimal pairs for meaning control
팀이 보고서를 작성했습니다. — The team wrote the report.
팀은 보고서를 작성했습니다. — As for the team, the report was written.
팀에게 보고서를 요청했습니다. — The report was requested from the team.
Practice: production tasks
Task 1 — Translate with accurate object marking
- Submit the revised application. → 수정된 신청서를 제출하십시오.
- Encrypt personal information. → 개인정보를 암호화하십시오.
- Review the safety checklist. → 안전 점검표를 검토하십시오.
Task 2 — Choose 을 or 를
- 계약서( ) 보냈습니다. → 계약서를 보냈습니다.
- 비용( ) 조정했습니다. → 비용을 조정했습니다.
- 알림( ) 받았습니다. → 알림을 받았습니다.
Task 3 — Repair the sentence
- *담당자이 결과를 확인했습니다* → 담당자가 결과를 확인했습니다.
- *신청서는 제출합니다* → 신청서를 제출했습니다.
- *규정을 자세히 이해했습니다* (object missing) → 규정을 자세히 이해했습니다.
Conclusion
Accurate use of 을/를 secures role clarity in formal Korean. Apply the final-consonant rule consistently, stack with focus particles when precision is required, coordinate objects with balanced syntax, and realign roles correctly in passive and causative constructions. The patterns and tasks above support reliable production in notices, manuals, and reports.
