Introduce People and Things in Korean
Who is this lesson for?
This lesson is for learners who can already read Korean letters (Hangul).
If you can read Korean consonants and vowels, you’re ready to start speaking Korean!
You can find many great videos online to learn Hangul, so in this lesson, we’ll skip that part and start speaking right away.
My goal is simple:
I want you to speak your first Korean sentences today.
If the lessons on HelloFromKorea help you enjoy learning Korean, I’ll be very happy.
Let’s get started!
Lesson Goal
By the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to introduce
- food
- objects
- people
using one simple Korean verb.
1. The Korean “To Be” Verb: 이다
Unlike English, 이다 is used after a noun.
It means
to be
or
is / am / are
2. How Koreans Change the Ending
When speaking Korean, we don’t usually use 이다 by itself.
Instead, we change the ending depending on
- who we’re talking to
- how polite we want to sound
Today we’ll learn three common endings.
* Casual
Used with close friends.
- -야
- -이야
* Polite (Recommended)
Used with people you don’t know well.
This is the form Korean learners should use first.
- -예요
- -이에요
* Formal
Used in
- presentations
- meetings
- announcements
- the news
- -입니다
3. Sentence Pattern
The pattern is very easy.
Noun + 이다
That’s it!
Let’s look at some examples.
4. Examples
Bulgogi
이것은 불고기야. This is bulgogi. (casual)
이것은 불고기예요. This is bulgogi. (polite)
이것은 불고기입니다. This is bulgogi. (formal)
Spicy Pork
이것은 제육볶음이야. This is spicy stir-fried pork. (casual)
이것은 제육볶음이에요. This is spicy stir-fried pork. (polite)
이것은 제육볶음입니다. This is spicy stir-fried pork. (formal)
Kimchi Stew
이것은 김치찌개야. This is kimchi stew. (casual)
이것은 김치찌개예요. This is kimchi stew. (polite)
이것은 김치찌개입니다. This is kimchi stew. (formal)
Kimchi Pancake
이것은 김치전이야. This is kimchi pancake. (casual)
이것은 김치전예요. This is kimchi pancake. (polite)
이것은 김치전입니다. This is kimchi pancake. (formal)
(●’◡’●) Can You Find the Rule?
Look carefully.
Can you figure out
- when to use –야
- when to use –이야
- when to use –예요
- when to use –이에요?
Take a minute before reading the answer.
✅ The Answer
Look at the last syllable of the noun.
No final consonant (받침 X)
- 불고기 → 불고기예요
- 김치찌개 → 김치찌개예요
Final consonant (받침 O)
- 제육볶음 → 제육볶음이에요
- 선생님 → 선생님이에요
Easy, right?
Let’s Practice!
We’ll mainly practice the polite style because you’ll use it most often when speaking with Korean people.
Practice1: Introducing Things
Introduce these foods. Use –예요 / –이에요.
❏Example
이것은 김치예요.
| English | Korean |
| This is tteokbokki. | ____________________________________________________ |
| This is gimbap. | ____________________________________________________ |
| This is kimchi. | ____________________________________________________ |
| This is naengmyeon. | ____________________________________________________ |
Practice2: Introducing People
When introducing people, Koreans usually say
이분instead of 이것
❏Example
This is my teacher. 이분은 제 선생님이에요.
| English | Korean |
| This is my father. | ____________________________________________________ |
| This is my grandmother. | ____________________________________________________ |
| This is my teacher. | ____________________________________________________ |
| This is my mentor. | ____________________________________________________ |
(●’◡’●) Useful Tip
제 = my (polite)
Use 제 when speaking politely.
Example
제 선생님이에요.
With close friends, use “내” instead.
Example
내 선생님이야.
O_O Quiz
Choose the correct answer.
① 이것은 김치예요.
② 이것은 김치이에요.
① 이분은 제 친구예요.
② 이분은 제 친구이에요.
① 이것은 밥이에요.
② 이것은 밥예요.
╰(*°▽°*)╯ Speak Korean!
Look around you.
Can you introduce five things?
For example,
- 이것은 컴퓨터예요.
- 이것은 책이에요.
- 이것은 휴대폰이에요.
- 이것은 커피예요.
- 이것은 가방이에요.
Real Life Conversation
Dialogue 1. At a Korean Restaurant
Situation: You are at a Korean restaurant with your Korean friend.
Minsu: 이 음식은 뭐예요?
What is this food?
Jina: 이것은 불고기예요.
This is bulgogi.
Minsu: 맛있어요?
Is it delicious?
Jina: 네, 아주 맛있어요.
Yes, it’s very delicious.
Minsu: 이것은 뭐예요?
What is this?
Jina: 이것은 김치찌개예요.
This is kimchi stew.
Minsu: 와! 먹어 보고 싶어요.
Wow! I want to try it.
Dialogue 2. Meeting a Teacher
Situation: Your friend introduces a teacher.
민수: 이분은 누구예요?
Who is this?
지나: 이분은 제 선생님이에요.
This is my teacher.
민수: 안녕하세요.
Hello.
선생님: 안녕하세요. 만나서 반가워요.
Hello. Nice to meet you.
민수: 만나서 반갑습니다.
Nice to meet you, too.
Dialogue 3. Introducing Your Family
Situation: You are showing your family photo.
친구: 이분은 누구예요?
Who is this?
나: 이분은 제 어머니예요.
This is my mother.
친구: 이분은 아버지예요?
Is this your father?
나: 네, 이분은 제 아버지예요.
Yes, this is my father.
친구: 가족 사진이 정말 멋져요.
Your family picture is really nice.
Congratulations!
Today you learned how to introduce people and things in Korean.
That’s your first step toward speaking Korean naturally.
See you in the next lesson!