In this post I will tell you the difference between 에 & 에서. It's very easy and I also included a short practice section (with the answers) that you can use at the end to practice what you're about to learn.
FIRST OF ALL...
What is 에? What does 에 mean?
에 is a particle used in Korean sentences. It's is attached after a noun and used to mark time/place. It has the meaning of
(at, in, on, to) in English. However, It doesn't always need to be translated that way, as long as It's there you know that a time or place is being talked about.
Examples -
한국에 (In Korea, At Korea, To Korea)
학교에 (At school, To school)
아침에 (In the morning)
이월에 (In february)
What's The Difference Between 에 & 에서?
에 is used to mean 'at' as in 'to be at a place/location'
> when you use this, there's no indication that you will be/are doing anything at that place. It only tells where you are at.
에서 is used to mean 'at' as well. However, you only use this one when you want to tell WHAT you are doing AT a place/location. There will always be a verb somewhere in these sentences. But that doesn't mean there aren't verbs used with ~에.
> Important to note: you won't see 에서 used when marking time so keep that in mind
Example Sentences:
1.) 민수 씨는 집에 있어요.
(Minsu is at home.)
> 에 is used to simply tell his location. we don't know what Minsu is doing at home, only that he is there.
2.) 민수 씨는 집에서 쉬어요.
(Minsu is resting at home.)
> 에서 is used because we know what action Minsu is doing at home.
저 식당은 카페 옆에 있어요.
That restaurant is next to a cafe.
우리는 카페에서 커피를 주문해요.
We order coffee at the cafe
-에 Grammar Exceptions
1.) 에 can't be used with 어제 (yesterday), 오늘 (today), 내일 (tomorrow), 지금 (now)
2.) You can not use 에 on the first time noun. If there are 2 time related nouns.
Now Practice Doing So For Yourself:
It can be tricky sometimes to tell the difference, but If you keep the rules and exceptions In mind while you do this practice you'll do well. There are answers at the bottom of the practice.
에 vs 에서 practice:
소라 씨는 도서관___ 책을 읽었어요.
Sora read a book in the library.
우리는 월요일___ 만날거예요.
We'll meet on Monday
존 씨는 공원___ 놀고 있어요.
John is playing at the park.
학교 옆___ 약국이 없어요.
There is no Pharmacy next to the school.
저는 화장실___ 가요.
I am going to the restroom.
팀 씨는 영화관___ 영화를 볼거예요.
Tim will watch a movie with us.
ANSWERS SECTION:
소라 씨는 도서관에서 책을 읽었어요.
Sora read a book in the library.
우리는 월요일에 만날거예요.
We'll meet on Monday
~ remember: 에서 isn't used when marking time
존 씨는 공원에서 놀고 있어요.
John is playing at the park.
학교 옆에 약국이 없어요.
There is no Pharmacy next to the school.
~ most of the time 에 is used with 있어요/없어요
저는 화장실에 가요.
I am going to the restroom.
~ they are going TO the restroom. However, they are talking about what they are doing IN the restroom
If they said something like "I'm dancing in the restroom" then you would use -에서
팀 씨는 영화관에서 영화를 볼거예요.
Tim will watch a movie with us at the movie theatre/cinema
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