Korean Spacing Rules
A Complete Guide to Word Spacing in Korean
Word spacing (띄어쓰기, ttieo-sseugi) is one of the trickiest aspects of Korean writing. The basic rule is simple: separate each word with a space. But with bound nouns, auxiliary verbs, particles, and compound words, exceptions abound. This guide systematically covers the rules you need to know.
Table of Contents
1. Basic Principles
Korean Orthography Rule #2 states: "Each word in a sentence shall be written with spaces between them." The key exceptions are:
1. Particles are attached to the preceding word (나는, 학교에서)
2. Bound nouns are spaced from the preceding word (할 수 있다)
3. Unit nouns are spaced from numbers (3 개)
2. Bound Nouns (의존명사)
Bound nouns cannot stand alone and must follow a modifier, but since they are nouns, they must be spaced from the preceding word. This is the most common source of spacing errors.
| Bound Noun | Wrong | Correct | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 것 (geot) | 좋은것 | 좋은 것 | thing |
| 수 (su) | 할수있다 | 할 수 있다 | ability |
| 때 (ttae) | 먹을때 | 먹을 때 | when/time |
| 데 (de) | 갈데 | 갈 데 | place |
| 만큼 (mankeum) | 노력한만큼 | 노력한 만큼 | as much as |
| 줄 (jul) | 알줄 | 알 줄 | way/knowledge |
| 리 (ri) | 그럴리가 | 그럴 리가 | reason |
| 지 (ji) | 온지 | 온 지 | since |
3. Auxiliary Verbs (보조용언)
Auxiliary verbs should be spaced (principle), but combining is also allowed when they follow -아/어 endings.
| Pattern | Principle (spaced) | Allowed (combined) |
|---|---|---|
| -아/어 보다 (try) | 먹어 보다 | 먹어보다 |
| -아/어 주다 (do for) | 도와 주다 | 도와주다 |
| -아/어 버리다 (end up) | 잊어 버리다 | 잊어버리다 |
| -고 싶다 (want to) | 가고 싶다 | Not allowed |
| -지 않다 (not) | 먹지 않다 | Not allowed |
"가고싶다" → "가고 싶다"
"먹지않다" → "먹지 않다"
Combining is only allowed after -아/어 endings.
Let AI fix your Korean spacing automatically.
Try Spacing Checker Free4. Particles (Always Attached)
Particles are always attached to the preceding word. This is a rule with no exceptions.
| Particle | Example | Function |
|---|---|---|
| 은/는, 이/가 | 나는, 책이 | Subject markers |
| 을/를 | 밥을, 차를 | Object markers |
| 에/에서 | 학교에, 집에서 | Location markers |
| 도, 만, 까지 | 나도, 이것만 | Auxiliary particles |
5. Compound Words
Words registered as a single entry in the dictionary are written together, regardless of their components.
Spaced: 이 사람 (this person), 그 책 (that book) - determiner + noun
6. Top 10 Most Common Spacing Mistakes
| # | Wrong | Correct | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 할수있다 | 할 수 있다 | Bound noun 수 |
| 2 | 먹을때 | 먹을 때 | Bound noun 때 |
| 3 | 좋은것같다 | 좋은 것 같다 | Bound noun 것 |
| 4 | 그럴리가 | 그럴 리가 | Bound noun 리 |
| 5 | 온지3일 | 온 지 3일 | Bound noun 지 |
| 6 | 가고싶다 | 가고 싶다 | Auxiliary -고 싶다 |
| 7 | 먹지않다 | 먹지 않다 | Auxiliary -지 않다 |
| 8 | 갈데가없다 | 갈 데가 없다 | Bound noun 데 |
| 9 | 알줄몰랐다 | 알 줄 몰랐다 | Bound noun 줄 |
| 10 | 할뿐이다 | 할 뿐이다 | Bound noun 뿐 |
Quick Tips
- Is it a noun? If the word is a noun (including bound nouns), it probably needs spacing.
- Is it a particle? Particles (은/는/이/가/을/를/에) are always attached.
- Check the dictionary - If it's listed as one word in the Standard Korean Dictionary, combine it.
- Use AI tools - OrangeRefine's Spacing Checker automatically fixes spacing errors.