Learn Korean | Learn Korean Grammar 02: N이에요/예요

Hello~Welcome to Basic Korean.

In this lesson, we're going to learn a Korean grammar 'N이에요/예요.'

If you want to listen to this lesson in Korean (with English subtitles), please watch the below video. 

🎬 Korean Grammar Video 02: https://youtu.be/xwJADfXcxNA

🌲Korean Grammar 02: N-이에요/예요

(You can have this content in Korean.)

Let's look at examples first and see how today's grammar is used.

1. A short conversation

Korean Grammar '이에요/예요' example

[Translation]

- 제 이름은 이광수예요. (My name is Lee Gwangsoo.)

- 저는 한국 사람이에요. (I am Korean.)

Here, today's grammar is '광수예요, 한국 사람이에요.' Let's look at today's grammar!

2. Usage

Korean Grammar '이에요/예요' usage

• '이에요/예요' attaches after a noun.
• It shows the state or attribute of the subject/topic of the sentence.
• '이에요/예요' is similar to 'to be' verb in English.

Let's look at two example sentences.

Korean Grammar '이에요/예요' usage

✎ '제 이름은 이광수예요.' which means 'My name is Lee Gwangsoo.'

⇨ '예요' attaches after '이광수' that shows '이름 (=name)' is '이광수.'

✎ '저는 한국 사람이에요.' which means 'I am Korean.'

⇨ '이에요' attaches after '한국 사람 (=Korean') that shows '저 (=I)' is '한국 사람.'

Then, when do we use '예요?' or '이에요?' Let's find out~!

3. Combination information

3.1. A noun with a final consonant: +이에요

a noun with a final consonant + 이에요

• When a noun has the final consonant, '이에요' is used.

• 한국 사람 (Korean) ➝ 한국 사람이에요.
• The last character of '사람' is '람.'
• There is the final consonant 'ㅁ' in '람.'
• Add '이에요'
• So it becomes '한국 사람이에요.'

3.2. A noun without a final consonant: +예요

a noun without a final consonant + 예요

• When a noun does not the final consonant, '예요' is used.

• 이광수 ➝ 이광수예요
• There no final consonant in '수.'
• Add '예요'
• So it becomes '이광수예요.'

3.3. Summary of combination information '이에요/예요'

Korean Grammar Combination chart: '이에요/예요'

Now, let's practice!

4. Practice 

4.1. Practice 1

1. 닉쿤 (Nichkhun) + 이에요/예요?

Korean Grammar '이에요/예요' practice

• When you look at the last character of '닉쿤 (Nichkhun),' it has the final consonant 'ㄴ' in '쿤.'
• Then add '이에요.'
• It becomes '닉쿤이에요.'

2. 태국 사람 (Thai) + 이에요/예요?

Korean Grammar '이에요/예요' practice

• When you look at the last character of '태국 사람,' it has the final consonant 'ㅁ' in '람.'
• Then add '이에요.'
• It becomes '태국 사람이에요.'

3. 요리사 (cook) + 이에요/예요?

Korean Grammar '이에요/예요' practice

• When you look at the last character of '요리사,' it does not have the final consonant in '사.'
• Then add '예요.'
• It becomes '요리사예요.'

4. 기자 (=journalist) + 이에요/예요?

Korean Grammar '이에요/예요' practice

• When you look at the last character of '기자,' it does not have the final consonant in '자.'
• Then add '예요.'
• It becomes '기자예요.'

Here is the summary of practice 1.

Korean Grammar '이에요/예요' practice

4.2. Practice 2

What should be in ❓, 이에요 or 예요?

Korean Grammar '이에요/예요' practice

[Answer & Translation]

✎ 제 이름은 차오루❓. (=My name is Cao Lu.)

⇨ The answer is '제 이름은 차오루예요.'

• '차오루' does not have the final consonant.
• Then add '예요.'
• It becomes '차오루예요.'

✎ 저는 중국 사람❓. (=I am Chineses.)

⇨ The answer is '저는 중국 사람이에요.'

• '중국 사람' has the final consonant 'ㅁ.'
• Then add '이에요.'
• It becomes '중국 사람이에요.'

✎ 제 직업은 가수❓. (=My job is a singer.)

⇨ The answer is '제 직업은 가수예요.'

• '가수' does not have the final consonant.
• Then add '예요.'
• It becomes '가수예요.'

✎ 미소 씨는 한국 사람❓. (=Miso is Korean.)

⇨ The answer is '미소 씨는 한국 사람이에요.'

• '한국 사람' has the final consonant 'ㅁ.'
• Then add '이에요.'
• It becomes '한국 사람이에요.'

4.3. Practice 3

Let's complete the sentence.

1. Ask and answer nationality

Korean Grammar '이에요/예요' practice

[Answer & Translation]

- 미소: 나나 씨는 어느 나라 사람이에요? (=Where are you from?)

- 나나: 저는 중국 사람이에요. (=I am Chinese. I come from China.)

2. Ask and answer nationality

Korean Grammar '이에요/예요' practice

[Answer & Translation]

- 미소: 닉쿤 씨는 태국 사람이에요? (Nichkhun, are you Thai?)

- 나나: 네, 저는 태국 사람이에요. (=Yes, I am Thai.)

3. Introduce yourself

Now, let's make sentences using 'N은/는' and 'N이에요/예요.'

Korean Grammar '이에요/예요' practice

[Answer & Translation]

Korean Grammar '이에요/예요' practice

• 이름 (=Name): 저는 (제 이름은) 손나은이에요. (My name is Son Naeun.)
• 직업 (=occupation): 저는 (제 직업은) 가수예요. (I am a singer.)
• 국적 (=nationality): 저는 한국 사람이에요. (I am Korean.)

Now, you can introduce yourself in Korean! Today we've learned '이에요/예요.' 

That's all for today.

Here are the related posts: Korean Grammar 01 N은/는

Here are the related videos on Youtube.

Korean Grammar Video 01: https://youtu.be/X6P1wU-Rbo8

More videos on Grammar: http://bit.ly/basickoreangrammar

Thank you!