📦 Using 있다 and 없다 – Beginner Level (TOPIK 1–2)

Want to say what you have or don’t have in Korean? Let’s learn how to use “있다” and “없다” the easy way! 🎯

💬 What Does 있다 / 없다 Mean?
📌 How to Use 있다
❌ How to Use 없다
🔄 Common Sentence Patterns
🗣 Practice Dialogue
💡 Did You Know?
💬 Final Thoughts
🔗 Related Posts

💬 What Does 있다 / 없다 Mean?

In Korean, 있다 means “to have” or “there is,” and 없다 means “to not have” or “there isn’t.” They are basic and essential for everyday conversations! 🌱

📌 How to Use 있다

Use 있다 to say something exists or you have something:

책이 있어요.
chaegi isseoyo
I have a book / There is a book.

시간이 있어요.
sigani isseoyo
I have time.

Structure: [noun] + 이/가 있어요

❌ How to Use 없다

Use 없다 to say something doesn't exist or you don’t have something:

돈이 없어요.
doni eopseoyo
I don’t have money.

숙제가 없어요.
sukjega eopseoyo
I don’t have homework.

Structure: [noun] + 이/가 없어요

🔄 Common Sentence Patterns

형이 있어요.
hyeongi isseoyo
I have an older brother.

고양이가 있어요.
goyangiga isseoyo
There is a cat.

커피가 없어요.
keopiga eopseoyo
There’s no coffee.

시간이 없어요.
sigani eopseoyo
I don't have time.

🗣 Practice Dialogue

A: 물 있어요?
mul isseoyo?
Do you have water?

B: 아니요, 물이 없어요.
aniyo, muri eopseoyo
No, I don’t have water.

A: 시간 있어요?
shigan isseoyo?
Do you have time?

B: 네, 시간 있어요.
ne, shigan isseoyo
Yes, I have time.

💡 Did You Know?

In Korean, the word for “nothing” is **아무것도 없어요 (amugeotdo eopseoyo)**. You’ll often hear students say: “숙제 아무것도 없어요!” meaning “I have no homework at all!” Korean uses negative forms like 없다 in very natural ways for polite speech, especially among younger people.

💬 Final Thoughts

Understanding “있다” and “없다” will open up tons of basic Korean expressions for you! Practice them with common nouns like time, food, people, and objects around you!

I hope that while reading various posts on my blog, you’ll learn Korean and grow to love Korea. As a Korean, I sincerely wish for that. Please come back anytime to discover new expressions and cultural insights!

🔗 Related Posts

👨‍🏫 Learn Korean with Me

📌 Want to learn with me?
Book a 1:1 Korean class on italki.

💬 Stay connected for new updates:

📄 Save this post: Copy the URL of this page and bookmark it for later!
📤 Share with a friend: Send this link via message or email to someone learning Korean.
💬 Leave a comment: Scroll down and share your thoughts below – I’d love to hear from you!