Particle 도 (also, too)

In English, we usually put "too" or "also" in different spots. We might say "I also like pizza" or "I like pizza too." In Korean, 도 is much more disciplined. It always sticks directly to the end of a noun. It doesn't care about spaces. It doesn't care about word order elsewhere in the sentence. Its main job is to replace the standard subject or object particles. Usually, you use 이/가 for subjects or 을/를 for objects. When you want to say "also," you simply kick those particles out. You put 도 in their place. It’s a one-for-one trade. This makes your sentences leaner and more meaningful. It tells your listener, "Hey, this isn't the only thing!"

1. 1Pick the noun you want to add information to.
2. 2Identify the existing particle (like 은/는, 이/가, or 을/를).
3. 3Remove that particle entirely. Don't let them touch!
4. 4Attach 도 directly to the end of the noun.
5. 5Note: There is no change based on whether the noun ends in a vowel or a consonant. 도 is very low-maintenance like that.
6. 6커피 (Coffee) + 도 = 커피도 (Coffee too)
7. 7학생 (Student) + 도 = 학생도 (Student too)

Use 도 whenever you are adding a similar item to a conversation. Imagine you are at a restaurant with friends. You order a 비빔밥. Your friend wants the same thing. They would say, 저도 비빔밥 주세요 (Give me bibimbap too).

Another scenario is describing yourself. Maybe you are a student. You are also a part-time worker. You would say, 저는 학생이에요. 그리고 알바생도예요. (I am a student. And I am also a part-time worker.)

It’s also great for finding common ground. If someone says they like BTS, and you agree, 저도요! (Me too!) is your best friend. It’s the ultimate polite way to show you’re on the same page. You can even use it multiple times in one sentence if you're feeling fancy. "I like apples, and I like grapes too, and I like oranges too!"

Don't use 도 for the very first item you mention. If you walk into a room and say "I also like apples," people will look at you funny. They’ll wonder, "Also? What else do you like?" You need a starting point first.

Also, be careful with negative sentences. In English, we switch "too" to "either" in negatives. In Korean, 도 handles both! But you must ensure the context is clear.

Finally, don't use it when you are trying to highlight a contrast. If you like apples but your friend likes pears, 도 has no business being there. That’s a job for 은/는. 도 is for harmony, not for picking fights between fruits.

One of the biggest blunders is "particle stacking." Beginners often try to keep the original particle. They might say 커피를도 or 학생이도. This sounds very clunky to a native ear. Think of 도 as a jealous particle. It wants to be the only one attached to that noun.

Another mistake is placement. In English, we can say "Also, I like cats." In Korean, you can't start a sentence with 도. It must be attached to a noun. If you want to say "Also" at the start of a sentence, use a connector like 그리고 instead.

Lastly, don't forget the space! Or rather, the lack of one. 학생 도 is wrong. 학생도 is right. It’s a tiny detail, but it makes you look like a pro.

People often confuse 도 with 또. While they both relate to "again" or "also," they are used differently. 또 is an adverb. It usually refers to an action happening again. "He did it again" uses 또. 도 is a particle for nouns.

Compare it to 만 (only). 만 is the lonely cousin of 도. While 도 adds things to the party, 만 kicks everyone else out.

• 저도 가요 (I am going too - someone else is going).
• 저만 가요 (Only I am going - no one else is going).