이다
ida[ida̠]
The Korean verb "be" is 이다 (ida).
이다 is used to declare that the subject and object are identical or equivalent. Unlike in English, this verb attaches directly to the noun without a space, such as in 학생이다 for "is a student".
Meaning: used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent (verb)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Jeolla region of South Korea, 이다 is often pronounced as 이야.
How does it change in a sentence?
In polite spoken Korean, the dictionary form 이다 is typically replaced by the conjugated forms 예요 or 이에요. Specifically, the polite form 예요 is used when the preceding noun ends in a vowel. In formal settings, 이다 is conjugated as 입니다.
How do you pronounce it?
ida
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the dictionary form 이다 in actual conversation, but it is almost always conjugated into a polite or formal ending in speech.
Did you know?
- While English uses the verb 'to be' for both identity and location, Korean uses different verbs entirely. To say 'I am at home', you would not use 이다, but rather the existence verb 있다 (itda).
- If you are speaking to someone much older or in a much higher social position, the verb 이다 must be replaced by much more respectful honorific forms to avoid sounding rude. Using the standard 'be' verbs incorrectly can actually be seen as a lack of manners.
- The history of the verb is recorded in texts as early as the 15th century, such as the 1465 'Won'gakgyeong eonhae'. This shows that the fundamental way Koreans define identity has remained remarkably stable for over 500 years.
Examples in context
- Seoul은 한국의 수도입니다.Seoul is the capital of Korea.
- 그 여자는 아름다워.That woman is beautiful.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 이다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 이다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
