How to Use 이다 and 있다/없다 in Korean

If you're learning Korean, understanding how to use 이다, 있다, and 없다 is absolutely essential. These three verbs are foundational, and they show up in almost every conversation—whether you're introducing yourself, pointing out where something is, or saying what you do or don’t have. 🧱

In this guide, we’ll break down each verb's meaning, structure, and usage. We’ll also give you side-by-side comparisons, examples, and clear tables so you can start using them right away like a native speaker. 💬

🧾 What Are 이다 and 있다/없다?

이다 (to be) is used to identify or define something or someone. It works like the English verb "to be."

 

있다 (to exist / to have) is used to express the existence or presence of something or someone, or possession.

 

없다 (to not exist / not have) is the negative form of 있다 and expresses the absence or nonexistence of something.

 

📊 Quick Overview Table

Verb	Meaning	Example
이다	to be	학생이다 (to be a student)
있다	to exist / have	책이 있어요 (There is a book / I have a book)
없다	to not exist / not have	돈이 없어요 (I don’t have money)

 

📌 How to Use 이다 (To Be)

The verb 이다 is used to identify or define a subject. It works like the English “am,” “is,” or “are.” For example, “I am a student” = “저는 학생이에요.”

 

이다 is not used like a regular verb. It gets attached to the **noun** it’s identifying. It also changes based on formality and whether the noun ends in a consonant or vowel.

 

Let’s see the polite conjugations:

• Consonant ending + 이에요 (e.g., 학생이에요)
• Vowel ending + 예요 (e.g., 의사예요)

📊 이다 Conjugation Table

Noun	Ending	Full Sentence	Meaning
학생	Consonant	저는 학생이에요	I am a student
의사	Vowel	그는 의사예요	He is a doctor

 

📍 How to Use 있다 (To Exist / To Have)

있다 has two core meanings:

• 🧍‍♀️ To exist (location) – "The cat is here"
• 👜 To have (possession) – "I have money"

 

It’s used with particles like 에 for location, and 이/가 for the subject. The polite form is: 있어요.

 

📊 있다 Usage Table

Usage	Korean	Meaning
Existence	고양이가 집에 있어요	The cat is at home
Possession	저는 시간이 있어요	I have time

 

🚫 How to Use 없다 (To Not Exist / Not Have)

The opposite of 있다 is 없다. It’s used to say something doesn’t exist, isn’t present, or you don’t have it.

 

The polite form is: 없어요.

 

📊 없다 Usage Table

Usage	Korean	Meaning
No Existence	책이 없어요	There is no book
Lack of Possession	저는 돈이 없어요	I don’t have money

 

⚖️ Comparison Table

Let’s compare 이다, 있다, and 없다 side-by-side. This will help you quickly understand when and how to use each verb properly in everyday Korean. 📚

 

📊 이다 vs 있다 vs 없다

Verb	Meaning	Example Sentence	Translation
이다	to be	저는 학생이에요	I am a student
있다	to exist / to have	책이 있어요	There is a book / I have a book
없다	not exist / not have	시간이 없어요	I don’t have time

 

✏️ Practice Sentences

Try reading and translating the following sentences out loud. Practice switching between 이다, 있다, and 없다 depending on the meaning! 🗣️

 

📊 Practice Table

Korean Sentence	Translation	Verb Type
저는 선생님이에요	I am a teacher	이다
가방이 있어요	There is a bag	있다
물건이 없어요	There is no item	없다

 

❓ FAQ

Q1. Is 이다 a standalone word?

 

A1. Technically yes, but it’s usually attached directly to nouns (e.g., 학생이다). In conversation, we usually use conjugated forms like 이에요/예요.

 

Q2. Is 있다 always about location?

 

A2. No. 있다 also means “to have” depending on the context. It can be about possession or presence.

 

Q3. Can you use 이다 with adjectives?

 

A3. No. Adjectives in Korean act like verbs and don’t use 이다. You simply conjugate the adjective. Ex: “행복해요” (I’m happy), not “행복해요이다.”

 

Q4. What’s the difference between 있다 and 있다요?

 

A4. 있다요 isn’t standard. The correct polite form is 있다 → 있어요. Some dialects or playful speech might say 있다요, but it’s not grammatically proper.

 

Q5. Can I say “없어요” to mean “I’m not”?

 

A5. No. "없어요" means "not have" or "not exist." To say “I’m not a student,” use 학생이 아니에요.

 

Q6. What’s the negative form of 이다?

 

A6. The negative form of 이다 is 아니다. For example, "I am not a teacher" = "저는 선생님이 아니에요."

 

Q7. Can you use 있다/없다 in the past?

 

A7. Yes! 있다 → 있었어요 (had), 없다 → 없었어요 (didn’t have). Example: “시간이 있었어요” = “I had time.”

 

Q8. Is 있다 always polite when used as 있어요?

 

A8. 있어요 is the standard polite form. More casual: 있어. Formal: 있습니다.

 

Disclaimer: This guide is designed for beginner and intermediate Korean learners. While grammar points like 이다, 있다, and 없다 are generally consistent, some nuances may vary depending on dialect, context, and tone. Always confirm with native speakers or trusted study resources.