Korean grammar patterns › Level 1
N이에요/예요
is N, am N, are N (polite)
Level 1 · TOPIK I · beginner
How to use it
Attaches to a noun to say what someone or something is. Use 이에요 after a final consonant and 예요 after a vowel. The same form is a question with rising intonation (학생이에요?).
Forming it
| 학생 | → 학생이에요 |
| 의사 | → 의사예요 |
| 가방 | → 가방이에요 |
| 친구 | → 친구예요 |
Pick the form by the last sound: ✗ 학생예요, ✗ 의사이에요. ✗ 이예요 is a common spelling mistake.
Examples
저는 한국어 선생님이에요.
I am a Korean teacher.
이 사람은 우리 반 친구예요.
This person is a friend from my class.
Compared with similar patterns
N이/가 아니에요 is the negative ('is not N'). N입니다 is the formal -ㅂ/습니다 version used in speeches and presentations.