Korean for English speakers Street · Lesson 1

I'm ... and I'm not ...

Identity statements in Korean — 저는 카시안이 아니에요 (I'm not Cassian) — with the negative -이/가 아니에요.

Conversation

  1. Magicat Magicat

    저... 카시안 씨?

    Jeo... Kasian ssi?

    Um... Ms. Cassian?

    Tip: <저...> = interjection to begin a conversation carefully [Note] This is the same word as 저 meaning 'I' for subject <씨> = formal suffix to say "Mr/Mrs"

  2. Meera Meera

    저요? 저는 카시안이 아니에요.

    Jeoyo? Jeoneun kasiani anieyo.

    Me? I am not Cassian.

    Tip: <저요?> = formal way to say "Me?" <저는 N이/가 아니에요> = "I'm not N" [Note] Subject particle -이/가 is chosen according to the syllable before. If it finishes by a final consonant (ㄴ of 카시안), we use -이. If by a vowel, we use -가

  3. Magicat Magicat

    아, 네 ... 죄송합니다.

    A, ne ... Joesonghamnida.

    Ah okay... Sorry.

    Tip: <아, 네...> = interjection to express embarrassment <죄송합니다> = very formal way to say "I'm sorry"

  4. Meera Meera

    아니에요. 저는 미라예요.

    Anieyo. Jeoneun mirayeyo.

    No problem. I am Meera.

    Tip: <아니에요> = fixed expression to say "No problem" <저는 N이에요/예요> = "I'm N" [Note] In Korean, we conjugate the verb "to be"(이에요/예요) according to the syllable before. If it finishes by a vowel (ㅏ of 미라), we use -예요. If by a final consonant, -이에요.

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

How do you negate identity in Korean?

Use 아니에요 instead of 이에요/예요. 저는 학생이 아니에요 = 'I'm not a student'. Object takes 이/가 (subject marker).

이에요 vs 예요?

이에요 after consonant ending: 학생이에요. 예요 after vowel ending: 의사예요. Same meaning ('am/is/are').

What is the 저요? expression?

'Me?' — questioning if you're addressed. 저 = humble 'I'. Adding 요 makes it polite + question.

Test yourself

Pick the English translation for each line from this lesson. Wrong answers are pulled from other Korean lessons.

4 quick questions on what you just heard.

Next lesson in Street Asking How is/are ...? →