Learn Korean for Free | Beginner Korean Grammar #1
Want to say “I am a student,” “She is a doctor,” or “This is a book” in Korean? Then N이에요/예요 is the perfect place to start! It is one of the first Korean grammar patterns every beginner should learn.
What Does N이에요/예요 Mean?
N이에요/예요 is used after a noun and works like “am,” “is,” or “are” in English.
학생이에요.
I am a student.
Another example: 의사 (doctor)
의사예요.
I am a doctor.
책이에요.
It is a book.
The Rule: 이에요 or 예요?
It’s easy. Just look at the last sound of the noun.
Consonant + 이에요
학생 + 이에요 → 학생이에요.
student → I am a student.
책 + 이에요 → 책이에요.
book → It is a book.
Vowel + 예요
의사 + 예요 → 의사예요.
doctor → I am a doctor.
가수 + 예요 → 가수예요.
singer → I am a singer.
💡 Easy Trick: Consonant → 이에요 | Vowel → 예요
Useful Korean Words
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 학생 | student |
| 선생님 | teacher |
| 의사 | doctor |
| 요리사 | chef |
| 가수 | singer |
| 친구 | friend |
| 가방 | bag |
| 책 | book |
| 사과 | apple |
| 이름 | name |
Use these words to practice the examples and quiz on this page. Choose the ending from the final sound of each Korean noun.
Korean Grammar Examples
저는 학생이에요.
I am a student.
제 이름은 수진이에요.
My name is Sujin.
이것은 제 가방이에요.
This is my bag.
저분은 우리 선생님이에요.
That person is our teacher.
제 직업은 요리사예요.
I’m a chef.
이것은 사과예요.
This is an apple.
How Do You Ask a Question?
Here’s the good news: you don’t need to change the word order! Just raise your intonation at the end.
학생이에요? ↗
Are you a student?
의사예요? ↗
Are you a doctor?
한국 사람이에요? ↗
Are you Korean?
Quick Korean Grammar Quiz 🎯
Choose 이에요 or 예요.
- 학생 → 학생______
- 의사 → 의사______
- 가수 → 가수______
- 책 → 책______
- 선생님 → 선생님______
Answers:
- 학생이에요
- 의사예요
- 가수예요
- 책이에요
- 선생님이에요
Before moving on, explain why each answer takes 이에요 or 예요. Then use two of the words in your own sentences.
Your Turn!
Now introduce yourself in Korean:
저는 ______이에요/예요.
I am ______.
제 이름은 ______이에요/예요.
My name is ______.
🎉 Congratulations! You’ve learned your first essential Korean grammar pattern.
A first meeting
A: 안녕하세요. 저는 리나예요. — Hello. I’m Lina.
B: 안녕하세요. 저는 민수예요. 학생이에요? — Hello. I’m Minsu. Are you a student?
A: 네, 학생이에요. — Yes, I’m a student.
Check the noun, not the English translation
Use the final sound of the Korean noun to choose the ending. 리나 ends in a vowel, so 리나예요 is correct. 민수 also ends in a vowel; 학생 ends in the consonant ㅇ, so 학생이에요 is correct. Attach the ending directly to the noun without a space. The same sentence can describe “I,” “you,” or another person when the situation makes the subject clear.
Practice in context
Use the pattern without translating word by word
Goal: introduce your name and role, identify an object, and ask someone a polite question. You do not need a separate Korean word for every English “I,” “it,” or “is”: the context often tells the listener who or what you mean.
| Check this | Use this | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 학생예요 | 학생이에요 | 학생 ends with the final consonant ㅇ. |
| 요리사이에요 | 요리사예요 | 요리사 ends with a vowel. |
| 책 이에요 | 책이에요 | Attach 이에요 directly to the noun. |
| 저는 공부예요, meaning “I study” | 저는 공부해요 | 이에요/예요 identifies a noun; use an action verb to describe studying. |
A two-minute speaking task
1. Say your name: 제 이름은 ___이에요/예요. 2. Add your role: 저는 ___이에요/예요. 3. Point to an object: 이것은 ___이에요/예요. 4. Ask a partner about an object using the same ending with question intonation. If you study alone, answer the question yourself with a different noun.
Check meaning as well as form
Complete and read aloud: ① 저는 학생___. ② 이것은 사과___. ③ 제 이름은 리나___. ④ You want to ask if someone is a teacher: 선생님___?
Answers with explanations
① 학생이에요: final consonant ㅇ. ② 사과예요: final vowel. ③ 리나예요: final vowel. ④ 선생님이에요?: final consonant ㅁ; the question mark and rising intonation change the statement into a question. Do not add an English-style “do” or change the word order.
Before continuing, correct these two endings: ① 저는 요리사이에요. ② 이것은 책예요.
Answers and explanation
① 저는 요리사예요. 요리사 ends in a vowel. ② 이것은 책이에요. 책 ends in a consonant. Now make two true sentences about yourself: one with your name and one with your role.
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