Grammar · Being and having

이에요 / 예요, 'to be'

Pattern

[Noun] 이에요 / 예요

This is the polite 'to be' for saying what something is: 학생이에요 'I am a student'. It attaches straight onto the noun with no space. After a consonant it is 이에요, after a vowel 예요, and the same form becomes a question with rising intonation.

The mistake to avoid

It only links a thing to what it is. It does not say where something is (that is 에 있어요), and descriptive verbs never take it: 비싸요, not 비싸예요.

Examples

Romanisation help

저는 학생이에요.

jeoneun haksaengieyo.

I am a student.

이거 커피예요?

igeo keopiyeyo?

Is this coffee?

제 이름은 샘이에요.

je ireumeun saemieyo.

My name is Sam.

여기가 명동이에요?

yeogiga myeongdongieyo?

Is this Myeongdong?