이다 — to be
to be
Explanation
이다 means “to be.” This page gives the polite conversation set: present, past, future, progressive, desire (-고 싶어요), and a please form — not only the bare dictionary 다 form.
Conjugation notes for 이다: Auto polite pattern with 아/어 harmony — verify irregulars (ㄷ/ㅂ/르/ㅅ/ㅎ/으) against a native reference. Prefer curated tables when listed on the conjugator hub.
Put 이다 in real frames with time (지금/어제/내일), place (학교/집/카페), and object particles when needed. Charts without sentences do not stick.
Drill path: say 이어요 three times → full sentence with 지금 → switch to 이었어요 with 어제 → 이ㄹ 거예요 with 내일. Then open the interactive conjugator for any hesitation.
Next step: link a vocabulary leaf, a grammar ending page (-아요/어요, -고 있다), and keep speech levels consistent across the sentence.
Examples
지금 이어요
Right now — be (present polite).
Default conversation form.
어제 이었어요
Yesterday — be (past polite).
내일 이ㄹ 거예요
Tomorrow — will be.
저는 이고 싶어요
I want to be.
Mini dialogue
A: 지금 이어요?
A: … right now? (be)
B: 네, 이고 있어요
B: Yes — ongoing (be).
Key lines
- Present: 이어요
- Past: 이었어요
- Future: 이ㄹ 거예요
- Progressive: 이고 있어요
- Want to: 이고 싶어요
- Please: 이어 주세요
Common mistakes
- Do not attach 요 to the bare dictionary form 이다 without conjugating.
- Do not mix speech levels mid-sentence — keep polite endings consistent.
- Do not invent irregular forms for 이다 when a reliable conjugator disagrees.
How to practice
- Cover the table aloud: present → past → future → progressive.
- Write three original sentences with 이다 using time words.
- Open the interactive conjugator tool page and re-check any form you hesitated on.
Check yourself
Question 1 of 2
What is the present polite form of 이다?
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