A2 phrase 2分で読める

~이/가 없다

This phrase means that something does not exist or you do not have it.

-i/ga eopda
Practice it

Explanation at your level:

You use this to say 'I don't have'. If you want to say 'I don't have a pen', you say '펜이 없어요'. It is very easy to use once you know the particle rule!

At this level, you start using it for abstract things. You can say '시간이 없어요' (I don't have time) or '돈이 없어요' (I don't have money). It helps you express your needs clearly.

You can now use it in complex sentences. For example, '친구가 없어서 심심해요' (I am bored because I don't have friends). It connects your feelings to the lack of something.

You'll notice native speakers use it for nuance. '자신감이 없다' (to lack confidence) or '의미가 없다' (to be meaningless). It shows you understand deeper states of existence.

Advanced speakers use it in figurative ways. '희망이 없다' (there is no hope) or '대안이 없다' (there is no alternative). It allows for precise, logical arguments in professional or academic debate.

At the mastery level, you use it to describe philosophical states. You might discuss the 'lack of essence' (본질이 없다) or literary critiques. It becomes a tool for nuanced existential reflection.

30秒でわかる単語

  • Used for non-existence.
  • Requires 이/가 particles.
  • Antonym of 있다.
  • Very common in daily life.

Hey there! ~이/가 없다 is one of the most important building blocks in Korean. Think of it as your go-to way to say 'there isn't' or 'I don't have' something.

The particle 이 is used if the word ends in a consonant, while 가 is used if it ends in a vowel. It's super versatile—you use it for physical objects, abstract ideas, or even people!

The word 없다 has deep roots in Middle Korean, evolving from 업다. It has always served as the fundamental negation of existence.

Historically, it reflects the Korean linguistic focus on existence as a primary state of being. Unlike some languages that use a 'not' adverb, Korean uses this specific adjective to describe the state of 'being non-existent'. It's a classic example of how Korean prioritizes the state of the subject.

You use this in almost every conversation! Whether you're saying 'I don't have money' or 'There is no time', this is your phrase.

In casual settings, you drop the particle or shorten it to '없어'. In formal settings, you'll use '없습니다'. It pairs perfectly with nouns like 시간 (time), 돈 (money), and 생각 (thought).

1. 염치가 없다: To be shameless. Example: '그 사람은 정말 염치가 없어요!'

2. 재미가 없다: To be boring. Example: '이 영화는 재미가 없어요.'

3. 끝이 없다: To be endless. Example: '그의 욕심은 끝이 없네요.'

4. 정신이 없다: To be distracted/busy. Example: '오늘 너무 정신이 없었어요.'

5. 버릇이 없다: To be rude/ill-mannered. Example: '버릇이 없게 굴지 마세요.'

The grammar is simple: Noun + 이/가 + 없다. If the noun ends in a consonant (like 책), use 이. If it ends in a vowel (like 사과), use 가.

Pronunciation-wise, the 'ㅅ' in 없 is often silent or blends into the following sound. It sounds like 'eop-da'. Remember to keep the flow smooth!

Fun Fact

The 'ㅅ' patchim is a relic of older Korean orthography.

Pronunciation Guide

UK eop-da

Sounds like 'up-da' with a soft 'p' sound.

US eop-da

Similar to standard Korean pronunciation.

Common Errors

  • Pronouncing the 'ㅅ' clearly
  • Ignoring the double consonant
  • Wrong pitch

Rhymes With

없다 덥다 겁다 접다 업다

Difficulty Rating

読解 1/5

Easy

Writing 1/5

Easy

Speaking 1/5

Easy

リスニング 1/5

Easy

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

있다 이 가

Learn Next

없어지다 없애다

上級

부재 결여

Grammar to Know

Subject Particles

이/가

Adjective Conjugation

없다 -> 없어요

Negation

안/못

Examples by Level

1

돈이 없어요.

Money + subject marker + don't have.

Noun ends in consonant.

2

시간이 없어요.

Time + subject marker + don't have.

Noun ends in consonant.

3

우유가 없어요.

Milk + subject marker + don't have.

Noun ends in vowel.

4

친구가 없어요.

Friend + subject marker + don't have.

Noun ends in consonant.

5

가방이 없어요.

Bag + subject marker + don't have.

Noun ends in consonant.

6

책이 없어요.

Book + subject marker + don't have.

Noun ends in consonant.

7

사과가 없어요.

Apple + subject marker + don't have.

Noun ends in vowel.

8

물이 없어요.

Water + subject marker + don't have.

Noun ends in vowel.

1

답이 없어요.

2

이유가 없어요.

3

약속이 없어요.

4

기회가 없어요.

5

관심이 없어요.

6

문제가 없어요.

7

생각이 없어요.

8

자신이 없어요.

1

대안이 없어요.

2

방법이 없어요.

3

여유가 없어요.

4

경험이 없어요.

5

의미가 없어요.

6

가치가 없어요.

7

불만이 없어요.

8

걱정이 없어요.

1

근거가 없어요.

2

한계가 없어요.

3

예외가 없어요.

4

진전이 없어요.

5

망설임이 없어요.

6

부족함이 없어요.

7

의심이 없어요.

8

통제가 없어요.

1

본질이 없어요.

2

실체가 없어요.

3

대책이 없어요.

4

낙관이 없어요.

5

정당성이 없어요.

6

효율성이 없어요.

7

타협이 없어요.

8

명분이 없어요.

1

허무함이 없어요.

2

필연성이 없어요.

3

개연성이 없어요.

4

모순이 없어요.

5

주관이 없어요.

6

객관성이 없어요.

7

역설이 없어요.

8

절망이 없어요.

よく使う組み合わせ

시간이 없다
돈이 없다
답이 없다
생각이 없다
재미가 없다
관심이 없다
기회가 없다
방법이 없다
걱정이 없다
자신이 없다

Idioms & Expressions

"염치가 없다"

To be shameless

염치가 없어서 부탁해요.

casual

"끝이 없다"

To be endless

끝이 없는 이야기네요.

neutral

"정신이 없다"

To be distracted

너무 정신이 없어요.

casual

"버릇이 없다"

To be rude

버릇이 없게 굴지 마!

casual

"맥이 없다"

To be lethargic

오늘 왜 이렇게 맥이 없어요?

neutral

"눈치가 없다"

To be oblivious

눈치가 없어서 미안해요.

casual

Easily Confused

~이/가 없다 vs 없어지다

Both mean missing

없어지다 is 'to disappear' (action).

지갑이 없어졌다 vs 지갑이 없다.

~이/가 없다 vs 모자라다

Both imply lack

모자라다 is 'insufficient'.

돈이 모자라요.

~이/가 없다 vs 부족하다

Both imply lack

부족하다 is 'lacking'.

시간이 부족해요.

~이/가 없다 vs 비어 있다

Both imply empty

비어 있다 is 'to be empty'.

방이 비어 있어요.

Sentence Patterns

A1

Noun + 이/가 + 없다

시간이 없어요.

B1

Noun + 이/가 + 없어서 + Verb

돈이 없어서 못 가요.

B2

Noun + 이/가 + 없는데...

시간이 없는데 어떡하죠?

B2

Noun + 이/가 + 없을 때

돈이 없을 때 힘들어요.

C1

Noun + 이/가 + 없다고 해요

시간이 없다고 해요.

語族

Nouns

없음 non-existence

Verbs

없애다 to remove
없어지다 to disappear

Adjectives

없다 to not have

関連

있다 antonym

How to Use It

frequency

10

Formality Scale

없습니다 없어요 없어 없다

よくある間違い

Using '을/를' instead of '이/가' → 돈이 없어요
It must take subject particles.
Confusing with '없어지다' → 없다 is state, 없어지다 is action
One is state, one is change.
Using in wrong formality → Use 없어요 for polite
Don't use casual forms with strangers.
Negating the verb instead of the noun → 돈이 없다
Korean negates the existence of the noun.
Misspelling as '업다' → 없다
The double consonant is crucial.

Tips

💡

Memory Palace

Visualize an empty room.

💡

Native usage

Used constantly in daily speech.

🌍

Cultural Insight

Politeness matters.

💡

Grammar Shortcut

Always check the last letter.

💡

Say It Right

Focus on the 'p' sound.

💡

Don't Make This Mistake

Don't use '을/를'.

💡

Did You Know?

It's a core word.

💡

Study Smart

Use flashcards.

💡

Context

Use it for anything missing.

💡

Pattern

Noun + 이/가 + 없다.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Up-da' (Up-da, no more!)

Visual Association

An empty fridge.

Word Web

있다 부족하다 사라지다

チャレンジ

Look around your room and name 3 things you don't have.

語源

Korean

Original meaning: To not be present

文化的な背景

None

Direct translation of 'to not have' or 'there is no'.

Many K-pop songs use '재미없어'

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Shopping

  • 재고가 없어요
  • 사이즈가 없어요
  • 돈이 없어요

Work

  • 시간이 없어요
  • 방법이 없어요
  • 관심이 없어요

Friendship

  • 친구가 없어요
  • 약속이 없어요
  • 고민이 없어요

General

  • 답이 없어요
  • 이유가 없어요
  • 문제가 없어요

Conversation Starters

"요즘 시간이 없어서 힘들어요."

"혹시 다른 방법이 없나요?"

"저는 그 일에 관심이 없어요."

"답이 없는 문제 같아요."

"걱정이 없어서 좋겠어요!"

Journal Prompts

오늘 없어서 불편했던 것은 무엇인가요?

시간이 없다면 무엇을 가장 먼저 포기할까요?

친구가 없는 삶은 어떨까요?

돈이 없어도 행복할 수 있을까요?

よくある質問

8 問

Use 이 for consonants, 가 for vowels.

It is technically an adjective in Korean.

Yes, like '친구가 없다'.

Use '없습니다'.

있다.

Yes, 없었어요 (past).

Yes, just '없어요'.

Extremely.

自分をテスト

fill blank A1

저는 돈이 ___.

正解！ おしい！ 正解: 없어요

Correct form for 'don't have'.

multiple choice A2

Which particle is used with '시간'?

正解！ おしい！ 正解: 이

Consonant ending takes '이'.

true false B1

Is '없다' an adjective?

正解！ おしい！ 正解: 正しい

Yes, it describes a state.

match pairs B1

Word

意味

All matched!

Direct translations.

sentence order B2

下の単語をタップして文を組み立てよう
正解！ おしい！ 正解:

Subject-Object-Verb order.

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