Talking About Daily Info with 있다/없다 · Essetial Korean Verbs & Sentences

The Core Meaning of 있다 and 없다

있다 and 없다 are two of the most essential verbs in Korean. They are used to express that something exists, is located somewhere, or that you have something.

있다 (To exist / To have)

있다 means something exists, is located in a certain place, or that you possess it.

없다 (To not exist / To not have)

없다 is the exact opposite of 있다. It means something does not exist, is not located there, or you do not have it. Instead of combining a negative word with 있다, Korean has this dedicated verb for absence.

Core takeaway: N이/가 있어요

Having Things, Time, and Plans

In English, you use the verb "to have" for possessions, time, or plans. In Korean, you simply state that these things "exist" for you using the Noun + 이/가 있어요 frame.

Daily Information Frame

Noun Ending · Pattern · Example

Consonant · 이 있어요 / 없어요 · 시간이 있어요

Vowel · 가 있어요 / 없어요 · 문제가 없어요

You can use this simple pattern to communicate a wide variety of everyday information, from physical objects (cash, wallet) to schedules (plans, time) and abstract concepts (questions, ideas).

약속이 없어요. (I don't have plans.)

질문이 있어요. (I have a question.)

Saying Where Things Are

You can also use 있다 and 없다 to talk about where people or things are located.

To do this, attach the location particle 에 (at/in/on) to the place word.

Location Frame

Place + 에 + 있어요 (없어요)

책상 위에 있어요. (It is on the desk.)

1층에 있어요. (It is on the first floor.)

한국에 없어요. (They are not in Korea.)

By combining the item and the place, you can build complete, highly useful sentences: 책이 책상 위에 있어요 (The book is on the desk) or 사무실에 아무도 없어요 (There is no one in the office).

Common Mistake: Using Object Markers

Because 있다 often translates to "to have" in English, many beginners naturally try to use the Korean object markers ( 을/를 ) with it.

For example, you might want to say 책을 있어요 because "book" is the object in the English sentence "I have a book."

In Korean, you are literally saying "A book exists." Therefore, the item is the subject of the sentence, not the object.

You must use the subject markers ( 이/가 ) with 있다 and 없다. Never use 을/를.

Incorrect: 책을 있어요.

Correct: 책이 있어요.

The Core Meaning of 있다 and 없다

있다 and 없다 are two of the most essential verbs in Korean. They are used to express that something exists, is located somewhere, or that you have something.

있다 (To exist / To have)

있다 means something exists, is located in a certain place, or that you possess it.

없다 (To not exist / To not have)

Core takeaway: N이/가 있어요

The Core Meaning of 있다 and 없다

있다 and 없다 are two of the most essential verbs in Korean. They are used to express that something exists, is located somewhere, or that you have something.

있다 (To exist / To have)

있다 means something exists, is located in a certain place, or that you possess it.

없다 (To not exist / To not have)

Core takeaway: N이/가 있어요

Having Things, Time, and Plans

In English, you use the verb "to have" for possessions, time, or plans. In Korean, you simply state that these things "exist" for you using the Noun + 이/가 있어요 frame.

Daily Information Frame

Noun Ending · Pattern · Example

Consonant · 이 있어요 / 없어요 · 시간이 있어요

Vowel · 가 있어요 / 없어요 · 문제가 없어요

You can use this simple pattern to communicate a wide variety of everyday information, from physical objects (cash, wallet) to schedules (plans, time) and abstract concepts (questions, ideas).

약속이 없어요. (I don't have plans.)

질문이 있어요. (I have a question.)

Saying Where Things Are

You can also use 있다 and 없다 to talk about where people or things are located.

To do this, attach the location particle 에 (at/in/on) to the place word.

Location Frame

Place + 에 + 있어요 (없어요)

책상 위에 있어요. (It is on the desk.)

1층에 있어요. (It is on the first floor.)

한국에 없어요. (They are not in Korea.)

Common Mistake: Using Object Markers

Because 있다 often translates to "to have" in English, many beginners naturally try to use the Korean object markers ( 을/를 ) with it.

For example, you might want to say 책을 있어요 because "book" is the object in the English sentence "I have a book."

In Korean, you are literally saying "A book exists." Therefore, the item is the subject of the sentence, not the object.

You must use the subject markers ( 이/가 ) with 있다 and 없다. Never use 을/를.

Incorrect: 책을 있어요.

Correct: 책이 있어요.