To Be (이에요/예요)
이에요/예요
이에요/예요 is the polite present form of the copula 'to be,' used to identify or define nouns.
Pattern
Noun + 이에요 (after consonant) / 예요 (after vowel)
Explanation
이에요 and 예요 are the polite informal (해요체) forms of the copula 이다, meaning 'to be.' They are used to equate or identify one noun with another, similar to 'is' or 'am' in English. The choice between 이에요 and 예요 depends on whether the preceding noun ends in a consonant (받침) or a vowel.
If the noun ends in a consonant (받침), you attach 이에요. For example, 학생 ends in ㅇ, so it becomes 학생이에요 (I am a student). If the noun ends in a vowel, you attach 예요. For example, 의사 ends in ㅏ, so it becomes 의사예요 (I am a doctor).
This grammar point is one of the very first things Korean learners encounter. It is essential for self-introductions, describing objects, and identifying people. The negative form uses 아니에요 (to not be), which is covered separately.
Examples
저는 학생이에요.
Jeo-neun haksaeng-ieyo.
I am a student.
이것은 책이에요.
Igeos-eun chaeg-ieyo.
This is a book.
저는 의사예요.
Jeo-neun uisa-yeyo.
I am a doctor.
여기는 학교예요.
Yeogi-neun hakgyo-yeyo.
This place is a school.
그 사람은 선생님이에요.
Geu saram-eun seonsaengnim-ieyo.
That person is a teacher.
Common Mistakes
Wrong
저는 학생예요.
Correct
저는 학생이에요.
학생 ends in a consonant (ㅇ), so you must use 이에요, not 예요.
Wrong
저는 의사이에요.
Correct
저는 의사예요.
의사 ends in a vowel (ㅏ), so you must use 예요, not 이에요.
Wrong
이것은 책이에요?
Correct
이것은 책이에요?
To form a question, simply raise the intonation at the end. The written form is the same, but learners sometimes try to add extra question markers.
Usage Notes
이에요/예요 is the polite informal level. In formal situations, use 입니다 instead.
Related Grammar Points
Vocabulary in Examples
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