없어요
eobseoyo
there isn't / I don't have (polite)
없어
eopseo
there isn't / I don't have (casual)
없어요 vs 없어: Polite vs Casual "There Isn't / I Don't Have" in Korean
없어요 is the polite way to say "there isn't" or "I don't have" in Korean, used in formal and everyday settings, while 없어 is its casual counterpart for use with close friends.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| 없어요 (eobseoyo) | 없어 (eopseo) | |
|---|---|---|
| Politeness Level | Polite (해요체) | Casual (해체) |
| Used With | Elders, strangers, formal settings | Close friends, younger acquaintances |
| Base Verb | 없다 + 어요 ending | 없다 + 어 ending |
| Meaning Coverage | Non-existence and lack of possession | Same, casual register only |
| Risk of Rudeness | None — safe to use broadly | Can seem rude if used with someone senior |
Examples in Context
Telling a customer the item is out of stock — using 없어요
지금 재고가 없어요.
We don't have any stock right now.
Letting a teacher know you don't have the homework — using 없어요
숙제가 없어요.
I don't have the homework.
Telling a friend you have no money — using 없어
나 돈 없어.
I don't have any money.
Friend saying there's no time — using 없어
시간 없어, 빨리 가자.
No time, let's go quickly.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Using 없어 when speaking to a superior or in a service context — always use 없어요 in those situations.
- ✗Confusing the romanization: 없어요 is romanized as eobseoyo because ㅂ becomes silent before ㅅ, but it sounds like 'eopseoyo' in speech.
- ✗Thinking 없어요 is negative past tense — it is simply present tense negation. The past form is 없었어요 (eopseosseoyo).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the honorific version of 없어요?
The honorific version is 없으세요 (eopsuseyo), used when talking about or to an elder regarding something they lack.
How do I say 'there wasn't' in polite Korean?
Use 없었어요 (eopseosseoyo) for past tense. For casual, say 없었어 (eopseosseo).
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