있어요 and 없어요
Korean often uses 있어요 and 없어요 for existence, availability, and possession-like meaning.
Examples
KoreanTranslation
시간이 없어요。Sigani eopseoyo.
I do not have time.
교실에 학생이 있어요。Gyosil-e haksaengi isseoyo.
There is a student in the classroom.
오늘 약속이 없어요。Oneul yaksogi eopseoyo.
I do not have plans today.
Pattern
noun + 있어요/없어요
How it works
Korean often uses 있어요 and 없어요 for existence, availability, and possession-like meaning. This pattern typically appears as noun + 있어요/없어요 and becomes easier when you meet it again in short, readable examples.
What to notice
- Korean often expresses “having” through existence-style wording.
- The same forms are also used for presence and absence.
Why it matters
Talk about existence, possession, and negation clearly.
Use in context
These forms are among the most practical beginner tools because they support location, possession, and availability in one system.