A1
도 — also, too, even
How the Korean particle 도 marks addition, why it displaces other particles, and how it behaves in negative sentences.
도 means also, and it attaches to the thing being added. One form for consonants and vowels alike.
저도 학생이에요.
Jeodo haksaeng-ieyo.
I’m a student too.
커피도 마셔요.
Keopido masyeoyo.
I drink coffee as well.
It replaces the particle
도 takes the place of 은/는, 이/가 and 을/를 — the same behaviour as the topic marker.
저는도 학생이에요.
저도 학생이에요.
One ending per noun. 도 has already taken the slot that 는 would occupy.
With 에, 에서 and 한테 it does stack, and goes second: 학교에도, 집에서도.
한국에도 가고 싶어요.
Hangugedo gago sipeoyo.
I want to go to Korea as well.
In the negative it means either
고기도 안 먹어요.
Gogido an meogeoyo.
I don’t eat meat either.
Repeated for both
개도 고양이도 좋아해요.
Gaedo goyangido joahaeyo.
I like both dogs and cats.
With a negative verb the same shape becomes neither. Only the ending changes, so as in Japanese you do not know which was meant until the sentence finishes.
With question words
아무도, 아무것도, 하나도 plus a negative give nobody, nothing, not one.
아무도 없어요.
Amudo eopseoyo.
There’s nobody here.
These require a negative verb. 아무도 있어요 is not a sentence.