Korean · Everyday Verbs
"to be" in Korean: 이다 / 있다
이다 / 있다ida / itda
Note: 이다 identifies; 있다 expresses existence/location. They are not interchangeable.
to be in Korean is 이다 / 있다 (ida / itda). 이다 identifies someone or something; 있다 expresses existence or location, so English be needs context.
to be: an everyday statement
저는 학생이에요.jeoneun haksaengieyo.
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How to pronounce 이다 / 있다
Say it
itda
/ita/
Read 있다 as itda. The spoken form 있어요 is isseoyo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"to be" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 있다itda | to be Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 있어요isseoyo | to be (polite present) Use 있어요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 있어요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 있었어요isseosseoyo | to be (polite past) Use 있었어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 있었어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 이다 / 있다 in real life
- 1to be: an everyday statement
저는 학생이에요.
jeoneun haksaengieyo.
I am a student.
이다 identifies someone or something; 있다 expresses existence or location, so English be needs context.
- 2to be: a different situation
어제 집에 있었어요.
eoje jibe isseosseoyo.
I was at home yesterday.
있었어요 is the past form of 있다.
- 3to be: a question or request
방에 누가 있어요?
bange nuga isseoyo?
Who is in the room?
있어요 is the present form of 있다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 이다 / 있다
Incorrect: 있다.
Correct: 있어요.
When practicing to be, 있다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 있어요.
Incorrect: 어제 있어요.
Correct: 어제 있었어요.
When practicing to be, for a completed event yesterday, use 있었어요; the present form 있어요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
이다 identifies someone or something; 있다 expresses existence or location, so English be needs context. 있어요 is the polite conversational form of 있다; 있었어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led everyday verbs study exercise: two sentences with 이다 / 있다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
저는 학생이에요.
jeoneun haksaengieyo.
I am a student.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
어제 집에 있었어요.
eoje jibe isseosseoyo.
I was at home yesterday.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"to be" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to be" in Korean
How do I use 있다 in polite speech?
있어요 is the polite conversational form of 있다; 있었어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 있다 in a past-tense sentence?
있었어요 is the polite past form. 이다 identifies someone or something; 있다 expresses existence or location, so English be needs context.
What does 있어요 mean here?
있어요 is used for to be. For example, 저는 학생이에요. means “I am a student.”
What should I remember about 있다?
이다 identifies someone or something; 있다 expresses existence or location, so English be needs context.
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