Korean Spacing Rules (띄어쓰기)

1. Introduction

Spacing in Korean is essential for correct meaning and readability. Unlike English, where spacing is consistent, Korean rules depend on particles (조사), dependent nouns, and whether expressions are established words or not. Wrong spacing can completely change interpretation.

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2. Basic Rules

2-1. Particles (조사)

Particles always attach to the preceding word.

• 저는 학교에 갑니다.
  → I go to school.

2-2. Main Sentence Components

Subject, object, predicate, and adverbs are usually separated.

• 저는 사과를 먹습니다.
  → I eat an apple.

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3. Special Cases

3-1. Dependent Nouns (의존 명사)

Definition: Nouns that cannot stand alone and must be used with another word.
Rule: Always written separately.

• 할 수 있다 (수 = way, possibility)
  → I can do it.
• 만난 지 오래되었다 (지 = since, time elapsed)
  → It has been a long time since we met.
• 집에 갈 것 같다 (것 = thing, fact)
  → It seems like (we) will go home.

📌 Some dependent nouns have lost much of their original meaning and feel almost like verb endings (어미).
Because of this, many native speakers do not separate them in practice, even though the rule says they should.

Correct spacing: 할 터인데

Common usage: 할텐데 (attached)

👉 The standard rule is to write 할 터인데, since ‘터’ is a dependent noun.

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3-2. Auxiliary Verbs (보조 용언)

Definition: Verbs or adjectives that attach to a main verb to add meaning.
Rule: Standard is to write separately, but 붙여쓰기 is also allowed.

• 도와 준다 / 도와준다
  → (Someone) helps.
• 먹어 본다 / 먹어본다
  → (Someone) tries eating.
• 공부해 보다 / 공부해보다
  → (Someone) tries studying.

👉 In exams or official writing → spacing is recommended.
👉 In everyday usage → both forms are common.

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3-3. Compound Words (합성어)

Definition: Two or more words that have become fixed as a single word.
Rule: If dictionary-listed, written together. Otherwise, written separately.

Together (fixed words):

• 오늘날 (today)
  → Today
• 아무것도 (nothing)
  → Nothing
• 하루종일 (all day long)
  → All day long
• 오랫동안 (for a long time)
  → For a long time
• 한동안 (for a while)
  → For a while
• 그동안 (during that time)
  → During that time

Separated (ordinary phrases):

• 오늘 아침 (this morning)
  → This morning
• 아무 말 (any words)
  → Any words
• 며칠 동안 (for several days)
  → For several days

👉 Tip: The surest way to know is to check the Standard Korean Dictionary.

Naver dictionary

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4. Common Mistakes by Learners

• Genitive particle ‘의’ → always attached.
  • 나의 책
    → My book
• Numbers with counters → always separated.
  • 세 명
    → Three people
  • 두 개
    → Two items
• Honorific titles (씨, 님, etc.)
  • Name + 씨/님 → separated
    • 철수 씨 → Mr. Cheolsu
    • 김철수 님 → Mr. Kim Cheolsu
  • Surname + 씨 (氏) → attached
    • 김씨 → Mr./Ms. Kim
  • Title + 님 → attached
    • 선생님 → Teacher
    • 교수님 → Professor
  • Name + Title + 님 → name and title separated, title+님 attached
    • 김지훈 선생님 → Teacher Kim Jihoon
    • 박민수 교수님 → Professor Park Minsu

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5. Conclusion

Korean spacing rules are not extremely difficult, but they differ from English and can confuse learners. The key is:

1. Particles always attach to the preceding word.
2. Dependent nouns and auxiliary verbs are usually separated.
3. Compound words often need to be memorized or checked in the dictionary.
4. Honorifics like 씨/님 follow specific patterns.

👉 When in doubt, checking the Standard Korean Dictionary is the safest approach.

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Bonus: Sentences Where Spacing Changes Meaning

• 아빠가 방에 있다 vs. 아빠 가방에 있다
  • Dad is in the room.
  • (Something) is in Dad’s bag.
• 참새만큼 작다 vs. 참 새만큼 작다
  • As small as a sparrow.
  • Really, only as small as a bird.
• 한번 vs. 한 번
  • 이거 한번 해 봐. → Try this once.
  • 이번에 단 한 번 기회가 있어. → There is only one chance this time.
• 십일 vs. 십 일
  • 나는 십일을 좋아한다. → I like the number eleven.
  • 여행은 십 일 동안 계속되었다. → The trip lasted ten days.
• 이천 원 vs. 이 천 원
  • 물건 값이 이천 원이다. → The item costs 2,000 won.
  • 이 천 원만 있으면 된다. → Only this 1,000 won is needed.
• 이사장 vs. 이 사장
  • 그는 학교의 이사장이다. → He is the chairman of the school.
  • 오늘 회의에 이 사장이 온다. → President Lee is coming to the meeting.
• 다다르다 vs. 다 다르다
  • 기차가 목적지에 다다랐다. → The train arrived at the destination.
  • 사람들의 생각은 다 다르다. → Everyone’s thoughts are all different.
• 이세계 vs. 이 세계
  • 그는 이세계에서 온 주인공이다. → He is the protagonist from another world.
  • 우리는 이 세계에 살고 있다. → We live in this world.

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