to be

Noun + 이다(to be), 아니다(to be not)

In Korean, there is a word that describes existence—similar to 'am', 'are', and 'is' in expressions like 'I am [Noun]', 'You/They are [Noun]', and 'It/She/He is [Noun]'.
The word '이다' means 'to be', while '아니다' means 'to be not'. Both can be conjugated with different endings (we'll learn more about this on other pages). Here, we'll focus on the most common -요 pattern used in polite declarative and questioning sentences.

저는 축구 선수예요.

I’m a soccer player.

수지 씨는 한국 사람이에요.

Suzy is a Korean.

저는 학생 아니에요.

I’m not a student.

noun’s last word has 받침 O	이에요	ex. 선생님이에요, 한국 사람이에요
noun’s last word has 받침 X	예요	ex. 우유예요, 축구 선수예요

any nouns

아니에요

ex. 선생님 아니에요, 우유 아니에요.

1. 저는 선생님( )	I’m a teacher.
2. 언니는 회사원( )	My sister is an office worker.
3. 저는 여자 ( )	I’m not a woman.
4. 우리는 친구( )	We are friends.
5. 이것은 바나나( )?	Is this a banana?
6. 저는 민지 ( )	I’m not Minji.

Words & Answer

Words

축구	soccer, football
선수	player, athlete
언니	older sister (female speaking)
회사원	office worker, company employee
친구	friend
바나나	banana

Answer

1. 저는 선생님이에요.	I'm a teacher.
2. 언니는 회사원이에요.	My sister is an office worker.
3. 저는 여자 아니에요.	I'm not a woman.
4. 우리는 친구예요.	We are friends.
5. 이것은 바나나예요?	Is this a banana?
6. 저는 민지 아니에요.	I'm not Minji.