이/라고 하다 (reported noun/adjective) - Called, Is

This pattern comes from 이다 (to be) and 고 하다 (to say). When you put them together, you get 이라고 하다. It functions as an indirect quote for nouns. Instead of saying "This is a desk," you say "This is called a desk." It adds a tiny layer of distance or objectivity. It is perfect for when you are not just stating a fact. You are sharing how something is known to the world. Imagine you are at a party. You do not just say "I am Minjun." You say "I am called Minjun." It sounds slightly more humble and polite. It is also used when you hear a rumor. "I heard that guy is a doctor" would use this too. It is a very flexible little connector.

1. 1Creating this pattern is like building with Lego blocks. You just need to look at the last letter of your noun.
2. 2Check if the noun ends in a consonant (has a 받침).
3. 3If it has a consonant, add 이라고 하다. For example, 선생님 + 이라고 하다 becomes 선생님이라고 합니다.
4. 4Check if the noun ends in a vowel (no 받침).
5. 5If it ends in a vowel, add 라고 하다. For example, 친구 + 라고 하다 becomes 친구라고 합니다.
6. 6In casual speech, 하다 often changes to 해요 or 해.
7. 7In formal settings, use 합니다 or 하십니까?.
8. 8Pro tip: In quick daily chat, people shorten it to (이)래요. It is like the "fast food" version of this grammar.

This grammar loves specific situations. Use it when introducing your name to a group. It is the gold standard for business meetings. Use it when you see a weird object and ask 이게 뭐라고 해요? (What is this called?). Use it when you are defining a new slang word to a friend. It is great for storytelling. "There was a man called Sim Cheong." It is also perfect for referring to titles. If you want to say "He is my boss," but want to emphasize his title, use this. Think of it as a way to clarify identities. It is very useful in restaurants. You can point at a menu item and ask what it is called. Yes, even native speakers use it to double-check names at weddings! It is a safety net for social accuracy.

Do not use this for basic, obvious statements. If you are holding an apple, saying 이것은 사과라고 합니다 sounds like a biology lecture. Just say 사과예요. Avoid using it for verbs or adjectives. If you want to say "He says he is busy," you need 바쁘다고 하다, not 바쁘라고. That is a different rule entirely! Also, do not use it for your own name when talking to very close younger friends. It might sound a bit too stiff. Keep it for new acquaintances or formal groups. Think of it like a tuxedo. It looks great at the right event, but it is too much for a quick trip to the convenience store. Avoid overcomplicating simple IDs.

The biggest trap is the 이 disappearing act. Many people say 학생라고 해요. Wrong! 학생 ends in a consonant. It must be 학생이라고 해요. It is like a grammar traffic light. Red light if you skip the 이! Another mistake is confusing it with 라고 하다 for commands. 가라고 했어요 means "He told me to go." That is a verb, not a noun. Stay focused on nouns for this rule. Some people also forget that names ending in 이 (like 슬기) are vowels. You do not need the extra 이. It is just 슬기라고 해요. Don't let the double 이 confuse you. It is a common stumble, but you can avoid it with a quick check. Just look at that final letter before you jump in!

Let's compare 이/라고 하다 with (이)에요/예요.

• (이)에요/예요 is a direct "is." It is a simple fact. "I am a student."
• 이/라고 하다 is "is called" or "they say it is." It is about identity and names.

Think of (이)에요 as a finger pointing at something. Think of 이/라고 하다 as a label printed on a box.

What about (이)라는? That is the adjective form. You use it *before* a noun, like "A man called Minjun." Our rule today, 이/라고 하다, always goes at the *end* of the sentence. It is the anchor. It finishes the thought. One is a labeler; the other is a descriptor. Don't mix up the anchor with the sail!