When a Korean word ends in a consonant, use 이에요. For example, 학생 (hak-saeng), meaning student, ends with the consonant ㅇ. So you would say 학생이에요 (hak-saeng-i-e-yo).
When a Korean word ends in a vowel, use 예요. For instance, 의사 (ui-sa), meaning doctor, ends with the vowel ㅏ. Therefore, you would say 의사예요 (ui-sa-ye-yo).
The choice between 이에요 and 예요 depends on the final sound of the noun it follows. This rule applies to all nouns you want to use with this informal polite statement ending.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing the 'o' at the end too long or with too much emphasis.
Word Family
Nouns
Tips
When to use 이에요/예요
This is a basic and very common way to say 'to be' in Korean. You'll hear and use it constantly. It's the informal polite ending for statements.
Choosing between 이에요 and 예요
The choice depends on the final letter of the noun it attaches to. If the noun ends with a consonant (batchim), use 이에요. If it ends with a vowel, use 예요.
Example with consonant ending
For '책' (chaek - book), which ends in a consonant (ㄱ), you say 책이에요 (chaeg-i-e-yo), meaning 'It is a book.'
Example with vowel ending
For '사과' (sagwa - apple), which ends in a vowel (ㅏ), you say 사과예요 (sagwa-ye-yo), meaning 'It is an apple.'
Common usage in introductions
You'll use this often when introducing yourself or others. For example, '저는 [이름]이에요/예요.' (Jeoneun [ireum]-i-e-yo/ye-yo.) meaning 'I am [name].'
It's a statement ending
Remember, ~이에요/예요 is for statements. To ask a question, the ending usually stays the same but the intonation changes, going up at the end.
Listen for the distinction
Practice listening to native speakers to clearly distinguish when they use 이에요 versus 예요. It will become natural with exposure.
Don't confuse with other endings
This is for 'to be'. Don't confuse it with other common polite endings like ~아요/어요, which are used for verbs and adjectives.
Practice forming sentences
Try forming simple sentences with various nouns. For example, '이것은 펜이에요.' (Igeoseun pen-i-e-yo. - 'This is a pen.') or '저것은 의자예요.' (Jeogeoseun uija-ye-yo. - 'That is a chair.')
Contractions with 예요
Sometimes, with nouns ending in a vowel, 예요 can contract with the preceding vowel, like '뭐' (mwo - what) + 예요 becomes '뭐예요?' (mwo-ye-yo? - 'What is it?'). This is very common.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Introducing yourself
- 저는 [이름]이에요. (I am [name].)
- 저는 학생이에요. (I am a student.)
- 저는 한국 사람이에요. (I am Korean.)
Identifying objects or people
- 이것은 책상이에요. (This is a desk.)
- 저것은 연필이에요. (That is a pencil.)
- 이분은 선생님이에요. (This person is a teacher.)
Stating your occupation or role
- 저는 회사원이에요. (I am an office worker.)
- 저는 의사예요. (I am a doctor.)
- 저는 주부예요. (I am a housewife/homemaker.)
Describing something's nationality or origin
- 이것은 한국 음식이에요. (This is Korean food.)
- 저는 미국 사람이에요. (I am an American person.)
- 이것은 일본 자동차예요. (This is a Japanese car.)
Stating the time or day
- 오늘은 월요일이에요. (Today is Monday.)
- 지금은 아침이에요. (Now is morning.)
- 내일은 금요일이에요. (Tomorrow is Friday.)
Conversation Starters
"무엇이에요? (What is it?)"
"이름이 무엇이에요? (What is your name?)"
"직업이 무엇이에요? (What is your occupation?)"
"어느 나라 사람이에요? (What nationality are you?)"
"이것은 무엇이에요? (What is this?)"
Journal Prompts
오늘 배운 한국어 단어는 무엇이에요? (What Korean words did you learn today?)
제가 좋아하는 것은 무엇이에요? (What are things I like?)
저는 어떤 사람이에요? (What kind of person am I?)
제가 제일 좋아하는 음식은 무엇이에요? (What is my favorite food?)
주말 계획은 무엇이에요? (What are your weekend plans?)
Test Yourself 30 questions
저는 학생___.
학생 (hak-saeng) ends with a consonant, so you use 이에요.
이것은 사과___.
사과 (sa-gwa) ends with a vowel, so you use 예요.
저는 한국 사람___.
사람 (sa-ram) ends with a consonant, so you use 이에요.
저것은 커피___.
커피 (keo-pi) ends with a vowel, so you use 예요.
이름이 뭐___?
뭐 (mweo) ends with a vowel, so you use 예요.
저는 의사___.
의사 (ui-sa) ends with a vowel, so you use 예요.
Choose the correct form to complete the sentence: 이것은 사과 ____.
사과 ends in a vowel, so you use 예요.
Which sentence correctly uses ~이에요/예요?
학생 ends in a consonant, so you use 이에요.
Complete the sentence: 저것은 책상 ____.
책상 ends in a consonant, so you use 이에요.
The sentence '이것은 물이에요' means 'This is water.'
물 ends in a consonant, so 이에요 is correctly used. '물' means water.
You should use ~이에요 after a noun that ends in a vowel.
You use ~예요 after a noun that ends in a vowel. You use ~이에요 after a noun that ends in a consonant.
The sentence '저는 한국 사람이에요' means 'I am a Korean person.'
사람 ends in a consonant, so 이에요 is correctly used. '한국 사람' means Korean person.
Listen to the sentence and understand what 'this' is.
Listen to the sentence and identify the speaker's occupation.
Listen to the sentence and identify who 'this person' is.
Read this aloud:
This is a book. (책)
Focus: 책이에요
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
I am a doctor. (의사)
Focus: 의사예요
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
This is coffee. (커피)
Focus: 커피예요
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
저는 한국 사람 ______.
After a noun ending in a consonant, use 이에요.
이것은 제 가방 ______.
The word '가방' (bag) ends with a consonant, so '이에요' is correct.
저는 학생 ______.
'학생' (student) ends with a consonant, so '이에요' is used.
이 사람은 제 친구 ______.
'친구' (friend) ends with a vowel, so '예요' is used.
이것은 사과 ______.
'사과' (apple) ends with a vowel, so '예요' is correct.
저는 의사 ______.
'의사' (doctor) ends with a vowel, so '예요' is used.
Imagine you are introducing yourself and your occupation to a new Korean friend. Write a short paragraph introducing yourself and your job using '~이에요/예요'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
안녕하세요! 저는 수지예요. 저는 학생이에요.
Describe three different objects in your room to a Korean friend, identifying what each object is using '~이에요/예요'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
이것은 제 책상이에요. 저것은 노트북이에요. 그리고 그것은 컵이에요.
You are talking about your favorite Korean food and explaining what it is to someone who doesn't know. Use '~이에요/예요' in your explanation.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
제가 좋아하는 음식은 비빔밥이에요. 비빔밥은 채소와 고기가 들어간 밥이에요.
김민준 씨의 직업은 무엇이에요?
Read this passage:
A: 안녕하세요, 저는 김민준이에요. B: 안녕하세요, 저는 이지혜예요. 민준 씨는 직업이 뭐예요? A: 저는 의사예요. 지혜 씨는요? B: 저는 학생이에요.
김민준 씨의 직업은 무엇이에요?
김민준 씨는 '저는 의사예요'라고 말했습니다.
김민준 씨는 '저는 의사예요'라고 말했습니다.
화자의 고향은 어떤 도시예요?
Read this passage:
이것은 제 고향이에요. 제 고향은 부산이에요. 부산은 바다가 아름다운 도시예요. 그리고 맛있는 해산물도 많아요.
화자의 고향은 어떤 도시예요?
화자는 '부산은 바다가 아름다운 도시예요'라고 설명했습니다.
화자는 '부산은 바다가 아름다운 도시예요'라고 설명했습니다.
화자가 가장 좋아하는 드라마의 장르는 무엇이에요?
Read this passage:
저는 한국 드라마 보는 것을 좋아해요. 특히 '사랑의 불시착'은 제가 가장 좋아하는 드라마예요. 이 드라마는 로맨스 코미디 장르예요.
화자가 가장 좋아하는 드라마의 장르는 무엇이에요?
화자는 '이 드라마는 로맨스 코미디 장르예요'라고 말했습니다.
화자는 '이 드라마는 로맨스 코미디 장르예요'라고 말했습니다.
/ 30 correct
Perfect score!
When to use 이에요/예요
This is a basic and very common way to say 'to be' in Korean. You'll hear and use it constantly. It's the informal polite ending for statements.
Choosing between 이에요 and 예요
The choice depends on the final letter of the noun it attaches to. If the noun ends with a consonant (batchim), use 이에요. If it ends with a vowel, use 예요.
Example with consonant ending
For '책' (chaek - book), which ends in a consonant (ㄱ), you say 책이에요 (chaeg-i-e-yo), meaning 'It is a book.'
Example with vowel ending
For '사과' (sagwa - apple), which ends in a vowel (ㅏ), you say 사과예요 (sagwa-ye-yo), meaning 'It is an apple.'
Example
저는 학생이에요.
Related Content
More general words
몇몇
A2An unspecified small number of; some or a few.
조금
A1A little/a bit
적게
A1A little / Few
약간
A2A little; slightly; somewhat.
많이
A1A lot/much
잠시
A2For a moment; briefly.
잠깐
A2For a short time; a moment.
아까
A2A little while ago, earlier.
대해
A2About, concerning.
~에 대해서
A2Concerning or regarding a particular subject; about.
