있다 vs 없다: Presence vs Absence Explained

있다 (iss-da, issda) · 없다 (eop-da, eopda)

The core difference between 있다 and 없다 is whether something exists or not.

Comparison of Korean words 있다 and 없다 showing presence and absence

Word-by-word breakdown

One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.

있다(iss-da, issda)

Indicates the existence or presence of something or someone

When to use

Expressing existence, Expressing possession, Describing location

The nuance

Used when something exists or is located at a certain place.

없다(eop-da, eopda)

Indicates the non-existence or absence of something or someone

When to use

Expressing absence, Expressing lack, Describing deficiency

The nuance

Used when something does not exist or is not present at a certain place.

Real-world examples

  • 책상이 방에 있다.

    chaek-sang-i bang-e iss-da., chaek sang i bang e iss da.

    The desk exists inside the room, so '있다' is correct.

  • 책상이 방에 없다.

    chaek-sang-i bang-e eop-da., chaek sang i bang e eop da.

    The desk is not in the room, so '없다' is correct.

  • 나는 돈이 있다.

    na-neun don-i iss-da., na neun don i iss da.

    '있다' is used to express possession.

  • 나는 돈이 없다.

    na-neun don-i eop-da., na neun don i eop da.

    '없다' is used to express lack of money.

  • 사람이 여기 없다.

    sa-ram-i yeo-gi eop-da., sa ram i yeo gi eop da.

    Indicates no person is at that place, so '없다' is correct.

  • 사람이 여기 있다.

    sa-ram-i yeo-gi iss-da., sa ram i yeo gi iss da.

    Indicates a person is at that place, so '있다' is correct.

  • 나는 시간이 없다.

    na-neun si-gan-i eop-da., na neun si gan i eop da.

    '없다' is used to express lack of time.

  • 나는 시간이 있다.

    na-neun si-gan-i iss-da., na neun si gan i iss da.

    '있다' is used to express having enough time.

Quick quiz

  1. Which word to use when something exists in the room?

    어떤 물건이 방에 존재할 때 어떤 단어를 써야 할까요?(eo-tteonmul-geon-ibang-ejon-jae-halttaeeo-tteondan-eo-reulsseo-yahal-kka-yo?, eotteonmulgeonibangejonjaehalttaeeotteondaneoreulsseoyahalkkayo?)
  2. Which word to use when you have no money at all?

    돈이 전혀 없을 때 어떤 단어를 써야 할까요?(don-ijeon-hyeoeop-eulttaeeo-tteondan-eo-reulsseo-yahal-kka-yo?, donijeonhyeoeopeulttaeeotteondaneoreulsseoyahalkkayo?)
  3. Correct expression when no person is at a place?

    사람이 어떤 장소에 없을 때 올바른 표현은?(sa-ram-ieo-tteonjang-so-eeop-eulttaeol-ba-reunpyo-hyeon-eun?, saramieotteonjangsoeeopeulttaeolbareunpyohyeoneun?)

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