이다 to be
August 25, 2009 by tailieutienghan
이다 is the Korean affirmative copula. This is roughly equivalent to the English verb “to be.” Using 이다 is the most useful and basic way to identify people and objects. An example of a sentence is “(Subject and particle) + [Noun]+입니다.” This expresses “(Subject) is [noun].” If the subject is not included in the sentence, the subject must be inferred.
이다 (ida) can be conjugated just like any other verb.
•입니다 (imnida) is the formal simple present conjugation of 이다 (ida).
•이에요 (ieyo) is the standard simple present conjugation of 이다 (ida).
•이야 (iya) is the casual simple present conjugation of 이다 (ida).
•입니까 (imnikka) is the formal interrogative conjugation of 이다 (ida).
I am Peter.
I am a student.
(This) is a chair.
(Subject) is a foreigner.
This (here) is Seoul.
•이다 (ida) only expresses equation, definition, identification, or description. But it is not existential. Essentially, 이다 (ida) is used much like the English verb “to be” in all ways except to express existence. Korean has a separate word that expresses existence.
•When conjugated into the formal simple present 이다 becomes 입니다 (imnida). The pronunciation of this is 임니다 (imnida).
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