도 particle (also, too, even)

도 is a post-positional particle. This means it always sticks to the end of a noun. It never stands alone. Think of it like a sticker that adds extra meaning. The coolest thing about 도 is its 'replacement power.' When you use 도, it kicks out the subject markers 이/가 or 은/는. It also kicks out the object markers 을/를. You don't say 커피를도. You just say 커피도. It simplifies your sentences while adding more information. However, it is a bit of a social butterfly with other particles. It likes to sit right next to particles like 에 (at/to) or 에서 (at). In those cases, it doesn't replace them. It just tags along at the end.

1. 1Using 도 is incredibly straightforward. You don't have to worry about whether the word ends in a vowel or a consonant.
2. 2Take any noun you want to talk about.
3. 3Remove the subject or object marker if there is one.
4. 4Attach 도 directly to the end of the noun.
5. 5For example, take 물 (water). If you want to say 'water too,' it becomes 물도. Take 사과 (apple). It becomes 사과도. It is like a grammar traffic light that is always green. There are no irregular forms to memorize here. Just attach and go. If you are using it with a location like 학교에 (to school), you just add it to the end: 학교에도 (to school too).

Use 도 when you want to show that something is the same as something else. Imagine you are at a cafe with a friend. Your friend orders an iced americano. You want the same thing. You say 저도 아이스 아메리카노 주세요 (I'll have an iced americano too).

You also use it for listing multiple things. 'I like apples. I like bananas too.' 사과를 좋아해요. 바나나도 좋아해요.

Another great use is for emphasis, meaning 'even.' Imagine your friend is a genius but failed a super easy test. You might say 천재도 틀렸어요 (Even a genius got it wrong).

Finally, use it in negative sentences to mean 'either.' If you don't like spicy food and your friend doesn't either, 도 is your go-to. 저도 매운 음식을 못 먹어요 (I can't eat spicy food either).

Don't use 도 when you are introducing a brand new topic for the first time without any context. If you walk up to a stranger and say 저도 미국 사람이에요 (I am also American), they will be very confused. They haven't told you they are American yet!

Also, do not double up with subject or object markers. 학생이도 is a big no-no. It sounds clunky and wrong.

Avoid using it when you want to highlight a contrast. If you want to say 'I like tea, but he likes coffee,' you should use 은/는 for contrast, not 도. 도 is for harmony and addition, not for pointing out differences.

One of the biggest traps is the 'Marker Overlap.' New learners often try to keep the 을/를 or 이/가 markers. Remember, 도 is a jealous particle. It wants that spot all to itself!

Another mistake is placement. Always put 도 on the noun that is being 'added.' If you say 저 사과도 좋아해요, it means 'I like apples too (in addition to other fruit).' If you say 저도 사과 좋아해요, it means 'I also like apples (just like you do).' The meaning changes depending on where you stick it.

Yes, even native speakers mess up their particles sometimes when speaking fast, but this one is usually pretty solid. Think of it like a puzzle piece. It only fits in one specific spot to make sense.

People often confuse 도 with 또. While they sound similar, they are different parts of speech. 도 is a particle that attaches to nouns. 또 is an adverb that means 'again' or 'once more.'

You might also compare 도 with 만 (only). They are opposites. 도 adds things to the pile. 만 kicks everything else out of the pile.

Lastly, compare it with 하고 or 이랑 (and). These are used to list things in one go: 'Apples and bananas.' 도 is used to add things sequentially: 'I like apples. I also like bananas.'