학생이에요
haksaengieyo
I am a student
Phrase in 30 Seconds
A polite way to identify yourself as a student during introductions or when asked about your job.
- Means: 'I am a student' in a polite, standard way.
- Used in: Self-introductions, school settings, and when applying for student discounts.
- Don't confuse: Use 이에요 because {학생|學生} ends in a consonant; don't use 예요.
Explanation at your level:
मतलब
States one's occupation as a student.
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
Students often wear uniforms (gyobok) until high school. Being a student is seen as a time of 'suffering' for future success, especially during the Suneung (CSAT) exam period. The relationship between students is governed by age and year of entry. A 'Sunbae' (senior) is expected to take care of and often buy food for a 'Hoobae' (junior). The phrase '{학생|學生}이에요' is a powerful tool for budget travelers. Many cultural sites and even some restaurants near universities offer 'hak-saeng hal-in'. In modern Korea, many seniors attend 'Senior Universities' (no-in dae-hak). They proudly call themselves {학생|學生} to show they are still active and learning.
The 'I' is optional
In Korean, you don't always need to say '저는' (I). Just saying '{학생|學生}이에요' is perfectly natural if it's clear you're talking about yourself.
Watch the Batchim
If you say '{학생|學生}예요', it sounds like you're making a baby-talk mistake. Always remember the '이'!
मतलब
States one's occupation as a student.
The 'I' is optional
In Korean, you don't always need to say '저는' (I). Just saying '{학생|學生}이에요' is perfectly natural if it's clear you're talking about yourself.
Watch the Batchim
If you say '{학생|學生}예요', it sounds like you're making a baby-talk mistake. Always remember the '이'!
Age doesn't matter
Even if you are 50, if you are in a classroom, you are a {학생|學生}. Don't be shy to use it!
Use with '만'
Saying '저는 {학생|學生}일 뿐이에요' (I am just a student) is a great way to show humility if someone asks you for something difficult.
खुद को परखो
Choose the correct ending for the word '{학생|學生}'.
저는 {학생|學生}____.
'{학생|學生}' ends in a consonant (ㅇ), so '이에요' is the correct polite ending.
Fill in the blank to say 'I am a university student'.
저는 ___{학생|學生}이에요.
'대{학생|大學生}' means university student.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 직업이 뭐예요? B: 저는 ________.
B is answering a question about their job, so a statement is needed.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are at a museum and want a discount.
Identifying as a student is the key to getting a student discount.
🎉 स्कोर: /4
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
이에요 vs 예요
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
12 सवालYes, but it's more common to say '혼자 공부하고 있어요' (I'm studying alone). '{학생|學生}이에요' usually implies you are enrolled somewhere.
수강생 is specifically for someone taking a particular course or lecture, often in an academy (hagwon).
No, it's a very common and polite way to start a conversation with a young person in Korea.
Because '생' ends in a consonant. The rule is: Consonant + 이에요, Vowel + 예요.
You can say '저는 모범{학생|學生}이에요' (I am a model student).
Yes, but '대{학원|大學院}생이에요' (I am a graduate student) is more accurate.
You can say '일을 하면서 공부하는 {학생|學生}이에요'.
No, Korean nouns and the copula '이다' are gender-neutral.
Yes, university students often call themselves '학식' (short for school meal), as in '나 학식 먹는 학식이야'.
It's better to use the more formal '{학생|學生}입니다'.
You say '이제 {학생|學生}이 아니에요'.
It's a 'perpetual student' who stays in school for a very long time without graduating.
संबंधित मुहावरे
대{학생|大學生}
specialized formUniversity student
유{학생|留學生}
specialized formInternational student
교복
similarSchool uniform
{학교|學校}에 다니다
builds onTo attend school
{선생|先生}님
contrastTeacher
कहाँ इस्तेमाल करें
Language Exchange
Korean Friend: 직업이 뭐예요? (What is your job?)
You: 저는 {학생|學生}이에요. 한국어를 배워요. (I am a student. I learn Korean.)
At the Museum
Staff: 성인 한 명 만 원입니다. (One adult is 10,000 won.)
You: 저, {학생|學生}이에요. 할인 돼요? (Um, I am a student. Is there a discount?)
Immigration Office
Officer: 한국에 왜 오셨어요? (Why did you come to Korea?)
You: 유{학생|留學生}이에요. 대학교에 다녀요. (I am an international student. I go to university.)
Meeting a Neighbor
Neighbor: 학생이에요? 어느 학교 다녀요? (Are you a student? Which school do you go to?)
You: 네, {학생|學生}이에요. 서울대에 다녀요. (Yes, I am a student. I go to Seoul National University.)
Part-time Job Interview
Boss: 시간이 언제 돼요? (When are you available?)
You: 저는 {학생|學生}이에요. 수업 후에 가능해요. (I am a student. I am available after class.)
Online Dating App
Match: 뭐 하시는 분이에요? (What do you do?)
You: 그냥 평범한 대{학생|大學生}이에요. (Just an ordinary university student.)
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Hag' (like a school hag) and 'Saeng' (like a song). A student sings to the school hag: 'Hag-saeng-ieyo!'
Visual Association
Imagine a student holding a heavy 'Hag' (bag) and a 'Saeng' (sandwich). They are standing in front of a school gate saying 'I am a student!'
Rhyme
In the school, I study and play, {학생|學生}이에요 is what I say!
Story
Min-su is at a cafe. He wants a discount. He points to his backpack and says '{학생|學生}이에요'. The barista smiles and gives him a cheaper coffee. Min-su is happy because his identity as a student saved him money.
Word Web
चैलेंज
Go to a Korean restaurant or grocery store and introduce yourself using this phrase. See if they ask what you are studying!
In Other Languages
Soy estudiante
Spanish changes the verb based on the subject (Soy, Eres, Es), while Korean only changes the ending based on politeness.
Je suis étudiant
French requires a subject pronoun (Je), whereas Korean often omits '저는' if the context is clear.
Ich bin Student
Korean {학생|學生} is gender-neutral, unlike German.
学生です (Gakusei desu)
Japanese 'desu' does not change based on whether the noun ends in a consonant or vowel, unlike Korean '이에요/예요'.
أنا طالب (Ana talib)
Arabic has no equivalent to the '이에요' copula in the present tense.
我是学生 (Wǒ shì xuésheng)
Chinese follows SVO (Subject-Verb-Object) order, while Korean is SOV (though the copula is at the end).
I am a student
The presence of the article 'a' is the biggest hurdle for English speakers learning Korean.
Sou estudante
Portuguese has different verb forms for different subjects, unlike the Korean copula.
Easily Confused
Both mean someone who learns.
Use '{학생|學生}' for formal enrollment and '배우는 사람' for someone learning a skill or hobby casually.
Both mean student/disciple.
'제자' is used from the perspective of the teacher (My student), while '{학생|學生}' is used by the student themselves.
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल (12)
Yes, but it's more common to say '혼자 공부하고 있어요' (I'm studying alone). '{학생|學生}이에요' usually implies you are enrolled somewhere.
수강생 is specifically for someone taking a particular course or lecture, often in an academy (hagwon).
No, it's a very common and polite way to start a conversation with a young person in Korea.
Because '생' ends in a consonant. The rule is: Consonant + 이에요, Vowel + 예요.
You can say '저는 모범{학생|學生}이에요' (I am a model student).
Yes, but '대{학원|大學院}생이에요' (I am a graduate student) is more accurate.
You can say '일을 하면서 공부하는 {학생|學生}이에요'.
No, Korean nouns and the copula '이다' are gender-neutral.
Yes, university students often call themselves '학식' (short for school meal), as in '나 학식 먹는 학식이야'.
It's better to use the more formal '{학생|學生}입니다'.
You say '이제 {학생|學生}이 아니에요'.
It's a 'perpetual student' who stays in school for a very long time without graduating.
