A1
이다 — to be
How the Korean copula 이에요/예요 works, why it is written joined to the noun, and how it differs from 있다.
이다 is to be in the sense of A is B. It is not a separate word — it attaches to the noun.
저는 학생이에요.
Jeoneun haksaeng-ieyo.
I’m a student.
이것은 책이에요.
Igeoseun chaeg-ieyo.
This is a book.
Which form
이에요 after a consonant, 예요 after a vowel — the same sound-driven pairing as the particles.
| 학생 → 학생이에요 | ends in a consonant |
| 의사 → 의사예요 | ends in a vowel |
The negative is a separate word
아니에요, and what it denies takes 이/가 rather than staying attached.
저는 학생이 아니에요.
Jeoneun haksaeng-i anieyo.
I’m not a student.
저는 학생이에요 아니에요.
저는 학생이 아니에요.
아니에요 replaces 이에요; the two do not both appear. The noun takes 이/가 in front of it.
Not the same as 있다
이다 says what something is. 있다 says something exists or is somewhere. English uses be for both, and confusing them is the standard beginner error.
여기가 학교예요.
Yeogiga hakgyoyeyo.
This is the school.
학교에 있어요.
Hakgyoe isseoyo.
I’m at the school.
See 있다 and 없다.
The plain form
이다 and 아니다. In writing and in casual speech the copula is often just 야 or 이야: 학생이야.