있다
itda[it̚t͈a̠]
The English phrase 'to be' is translated into Korean as 있다 (itda) when expressing existence or presence.
있다 is used to indicate that something or someone exists or is present in a particular place. In Korean, this same word is also used to express possession, functioning as the verb 'to have'.
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between existence and identity. 있다 is used specifically for existence or being present in a location. In contrast, when you want to say 'to be' in the sense of identity (meaning 'A is B'), you must use the verb 이다.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb 있다 changes depending on the level of politeness required: the polite form is 있어요 and the formal or honorific form is 있습니다.
How do you pronounce it?
itda
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using 있다 to express identity. For example, do not use it to say 'I am a student'. Instead, use the verb 이다 for those situations.
When do people say it?
The standard form of Korean is based on Seoul Korean.
Did you know?
- Korean often omits the subject entirely when using 있어요, meaning the phrase can translate to 'I am here', 'It is here' or 'There is one' depending solely on the context of the conversation.
- While 있다 expresses presence, Koreans use the related expression 있어 보인다 to say someone 'looks' like they possess something, such as looking wealthy or sophisticated.
- The Middle Korean ancestor of this word, 잇다, is a direct relative of the modern Jeju dialect form 잇다.
Examples in context
- 이 문장은 확인할 필요가 있다.This sentence needs to be checked.Tatoeba #11105540 by intertime, translation #717799 by CM
- 네가 아인슈타인이 아니라도 그 문제를 풀 수 있다.You don't have to be Einstein to work that out.Tatoeba #3677074 by intertime, translation #3549399 by patgfisher
- 좋은 번역가가 되려면 톰은 기술을 좀 더 연마할 필요가 있다고 생각한다.To be a good translator, I think Tom needs to hone his skills a bit more.Tatoeba #11107528 by intertime, translation #1096047 by CK
- 저는 학생입니다.I am a student.
- 그분은 선생님이십니다.He/she is a teacher.
- 저는 한국인입니다.I am Korean.
- 저희 회사는 세계적으로 유명합니다.Our company is internationally renowned.
- 우리 회사는 대단해.Our company is amazing.
- 나는 운동선수입니다.I am an athlete.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Subin is looking for Minjun in the living room.
- 수빈 Su-bin민준 씨, 집에 있다Minjun ssi, jibe itdaMinjun, are you at home?
- 민준 Min-jun네, 거실에 있어요.ne, geosire isseoyo.Yes, I am in the living room.
- 수빈 Su-bin제 가방도 여기 있나요?je gabang-do yeogi innayo?Is my bag here too?
- 민준 Min-jun아니요, 여기 없어요.aniyo, yeogi eopseoyo.No, it is not here.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 있다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 있다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
