Expressing 'to be' with '이다'

01

Formal Situations

In formal settings, such as presentations, news broadcasts, or when speaking to someone of significantly higher status, the form 입니다 (ib·ni·daib·ni·daib·ni·daib·ni·ta) is used. This form is invariable, meaning it does not change regardless of whether the preceding noun ends in a vowel or a consonant.

• 저는 학생입니다.

  chŏ·nŭn hag·sæng·ib·ni·da.jeo·neun hag·saeng·ib·ni·da.chŏ·nŭn hag·saeng·ib·ni·da.ce·nun hag·sayng·ib·ni·ta.

  I am a student.

• 이것은 연필입니다.

  i·gŏs·ŭn yŏn·pʰil·ib·ni·da.i·geos·eun yeon·pil·ib·ni·da.i·gŏs·ŭn yŏn·p'il·ib·ni·da.i·kes·un yen·phil·ib·ni·ta.

  This is a pencil.

02

Polite Situations

In standard polite conversation (the most common speech level for daily life), the conjugation changes depending on the final sound of the noun.

Ending in a Consonant

If the noun ends in a consonant (has a 받침 (pat·chʰimbat·chimpat·ch'impat·chim)), add 이에요 (i·e·yoi·e·yoi·e·yoi·ey·yo). This makes the pronunciation smoother by carrying the consonant sound over to the next syllable.

• 가방이에요.

  ka·bang·i·e·yo.ga·bang·i·e·yo.ka·bang·i·e·yo.ka·pang·i·ey·yo.

  It is a bag.

• 제 동생이에요.

  che tong·sæng·i·e·yo.je dong·saeng·i·e·yo.che tong·saeng·i·e·yo.cey tong·sayng·i·ey·yo.

  It is my younger sibling.

Ending in a Vowel

If the noun ends in a vowel (no 받침 (pat·chʰimbat·chimpat·ch'impat·chim)), add 예요 (ye·yoye·yoye·yoyey·yo).

• 사과예요.

  sa·gwa·ye·yo.sa·gwa·ye·yo.sa·gwa·ye·yo.sa·kwa·yey·yo.

  It is an apple.

• 의사예요.

  ŭi·sa·ye·yo.ui·sa·ye·yo.ŭi·sa·ye·yo.uy·sa·yey·yo.

  I am a doctor.

03

Casual Situations

When speaking with close friends or people younger than you, the polite suffixes are dropped or changed.

Ending in a Consonant

Add 이야 (i·ya) after a consonant.

• 이것은 물이야.

  i·gŏs·ŭn mul·i·ya.i·geos·eun mul·i·ya.i·gŏs·ŭn mul·i·ya.i·kes·un mul·i·ya.

  This is water.

Ending in a Vowel

Add 야 (ya) after a vowel.

• 나야.

  na·ya.

  It's me.

• 학교야.

  hag·gyo·ya.hag·gyo·ya.hag·gyo·ya.hag·kyo·ya.

  It is a school.

04

Distinguishing Location (Existence)

이다 (i·dai·dai·dai·ta) is only used to define what something is. If you want to express that someone or something is at a location (existence), you must use the verb 있다 (it·dait·dait·dait·ta) instead.

• 저는 집에 있어요.

  chŏ·nŭn chib·e iss·ŏ·yo.jeo·neun jib·e iss·eo·yo.chŏ·nŭn chib·e iss·ŏ·yo.ce·nun cib·ey iss·e·yo.

  I am at home.

• 책이 여기 있어요.

  chʰæg·i yŏ·gi iss·ŏ·yo.chaeg·i yeo·gi iss·eo·yo.ch'aeg·i yŏ·gi iss·ŏ·yo.chayg·i ye·ki iss·e·yo.

  The book is here.

05

Distinguishing Adjectives

In English, "to be" is used with adjectives (e.g., "She is happy"). In Korean, adjectives function like descriptive verbs and contain the meaning of "to be" within themselves. Therefore, 이다 (i·dai·dai·dai·ta) is not used with adjectives.

• 날씨가 추워요.

  nal·ssi·ga chʰu·wŏ·yo.nal·ssi·ga chu·wŏ·yo.nal·ssi·ga ch'u·wŏ·yo.nal·ssi·ka chu·wŏ·yo.

  The weather is cold.

• 그녀는 똑똑해.

  kŭ·nyŏ·nŭn ttog·ttog·hæ.geu·nyeo·neun ddog·ddog·hae.kŭ·nyŏ·nŭn ttog·ttog·hae.ku·nye·nun ttog·ttog·hay.

  She is smart.