-이다 Verb

 
 
3 Sentence Summary of This Lesson:
  • The Korean verb 'to be' is '-이다', with stem '이' used to form different tenses
  • Present: 이에요/예요, Past: 이었어요/였어요, Future: 일 거예요
  • Use 이에요/이었어요 after batchim, 예요/였어요 without batchim; no space between noun and verb
 
The verb ‘to be’ is ‘-이다’ in Korean. This is the base form, which we can extract the stem from and apply different tenses and expressions.
 
The stem of ‘-이다’ is ‘이’:
 
  • Simple Present: 이에요/예요 → 제 이름은 철수예요. (My name is Chul Soo)
  • Simple Past: 이었어요/였어요 → 저는 작년에 학생이었어요. (I was a student last year)
  • Simple Future: 일 거예요. → 아마 내일일 거예요. (It’s probably tomorrow)
 
Like in the example above, there are two ways to spell. This is again, because of batchim. This applies for the present and past tense.
 
  • Present: If the letter that comes right before ‘이다’ has a batchim, use ‘이에요’. If not, use ‘예요’.
    • 이것은 책상이에요. (This is a desk)
    • 저것은 자예요. (That is a ruler)
 
  • Past: If the letter that comes right before ‘이다’ has a batchim, use ‘이었어요’. If not, use ‘였어요’.
    • 그것은 책상이었어요. (That was a desk)
    • 그것은 자였어요. (That was a ruler)
 
Note the there is no whitespace between the noun and the be verb.
 
You can apply various particles and expressions to the ‘이’ stem. For example ‘-입니다’, ‘-이어도’, ‘-이지만’, etc., which you will learn gradually.
 
Try the following exercise.
Fill in the blanks with ‘이에요’ and ‘예요’.
 
  1. 사과_____.
Answer
예요.
 
  1. 컴퓨터_____.
Answer
예요
 
  1. 오늘_____.
Answer
이에요
 
 
  1. 사탕_____.
Answer
이에요
 
  1. 그림_____.
Answer
이에요
 
  1. 영화_____.
Answer
예요
 
  1. 아침_____.
Answer
이에요
 
  1. 주말_____.
Answer
이에요
 
  1. 책_____.
Answer
이에요
 
  1. 기적_____.
Answer
이에요
 
 
 
 
 
* For more practice exercises, visit the ‘Practice Hub’.
 
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