elementary · freeInteractive lesson
한테 vs 께
Try it freeContrast quizPick the right form in a mini quiz.Open →Explanation
한테 is everyday “to someone”: 친구한테 말해요.
께 is honorific for respected recipients: 선생님께 드렸어요.
Upgrade the verb too (드리다, 여쭙다): particle alone is not enough.
Mistake: 선생님한테 줬어요 in a situation that expects honorifics.
Level: elementary. Read both sides of the contrast, say the examples out loud, then write one correct and one incorrect sentence and fix it.
Cross-link: open the related grammar or tools page the same day so the fix sticks in your study graph.
Examples
동생한테 선물을 줬어요.
I gave a gift to my younger sibling.
할머니께 선물을 드렸어요.
I gave a gift to grandma (honorific).
Common mistakes
- Translating the English pair word-for-word without checking which Korean form carries the real distinction.
- Treating the two forms as free synonyms after memorizing only one example.
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