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docs/howtostudykorean/unit-1/18-present-progressive.md
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# Lesson 18: Present Progressive \~고 있다; To be Getting \~아/어지다
## Vocabulary
### Nouns
원숭이 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson18v1.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">monkey</span>
<Details>
Example:
대부분의 **원숭이**는 나무에서 살아요 = Most **monkeys** live in trees
너는 **원숭이** 같이 보여 = You look like a **monkey**
**원숭이**는 바나나를 많이 먹어요 = **Monkeys** eat bananas
</Details>
교과목 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson18v2.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">subject in school</span>
<Details>
Examples:
캐나다 선생님들은 항상 두 개의 **교과목**을 가르쳐요 = Canadian teachers always teach two **subjects**
학생들은 **교과목** 두 개 중에 하나를 선택해야 해요 = Students must choose one out of the two **subjects**
</Details>
교과서 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson18v3.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">textbook</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
영어교과서 = English textbook
교과서로 공부하다 = to study using a textbook
Example:
학교는 학생들한테 **교과서**를 제공하지 않아요 = The school doesn’t provide **textbooks** to the students
</Details>
소문 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson18v4.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">rumor</span>
<Details>
Common Usages
헛소문 = false rumor
소문을 내다 = to spread rumors
Notes: Often used with the \~는 것 conjugation of \~ㄴ/는다는 것. See [Lesson 52](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/unit-3-intermediate-korean-grammar/unit-3-lessons-51-58/lesson-52/ "Lesson 52: Quoting in Korean (~ㄴ/는다고)") for more information.
Example:
그 여자의 남편이 비서랑 바람을 피운다는 **소문**이 있어요 = There is a **rumor** that that woman’s husband is having an affair with his secretary
저는 친구를 통해 **소문**을 들었어요 = I heard a **rumor** from my friend
</Details>
충전기 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson18v5.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">charger</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
핸드폰 충전기 = cell phone charger
Notes: 충전하다 means “to charge.”
Example:
**충전기**가 없어서 핸드폰 충전을 못 해요 = I can’t charge my phone because I don’t have the **charger**
</Details>
청구서 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson18v6.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">bill</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
청구서를 내다 = to pay a bill
전기요금청구서 = electricity bill
가스청구서 = gas bill
Example:
저는 은행에서 **청구서**를 냈어요 = I paid the **bill** at the bank
</Details>
계산원 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson18v7.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">cashier</span>
<Details>
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “계사눤”
Notes: 계산하다 means “to pay” or “to calculate”
Example:
**계산원**들은 돈을 많이 벌지 않아요 = **Cashiers** don’t earn a lot of money
</Details>
계산기 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson18v8.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">calculator</span>
<Details>
Notes: 계산하다 means “to pay” or “to calculate”
Example:
한국학생들은 수학문제를 **계산기** 없이 풀어요 = Korean students solve math problems without **calculators**
</Details>
출장 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson18v9.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">business trip</span>
<Details>
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “출짱”
Common Usages:
출장비 = business trip expense
출장을 가다 = to go on a business trip
Example:
부장님은 내일까지 **출장**을 갔어요 = The boss went on a **business trip** until tomorrow
</Details>
밥솥 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson18v10.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">rice cooker</span>
<Details>
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “밥쏟”
Common Usages:
밥솥에 밥을 짓다 = to make rice in a rice cooker
Example:
한국에서는 모든 집에 **밥솥**이 있어요 = All houses in Korea have a **rice cooker**
</Details>
소설 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson18v11.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">novel</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
소설가 = a novelist
단편소설 = short story novel
장편소설 = full length novel
Example:
어떤 **소설**을 읽고 있어요? Which **novel** are you reading?
**소설가**의 설명은 아주 섬세해요 = The **novelist’s** explanation is very delicate/sophisticated
</Details>
백과사전 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson18v12.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">encyclopedia</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
위키백과 = Wikipedia
백과사전에서 찾다 = to look up in an encyclopedia
Example:
저는 그 사실을 **백과사전**에 찾았어요 = I looked up that fact in an **encyclopedia**
</Details>
전공 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson18v13.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">major (in university)</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
부전공 = minor
경제를 전공하다 = to major in economics
외국어를 전공하다 = to major in foreign languages
Example:
대학생 때 저의 **전공**은 영어였어요 = In University, my **major** was English
</Details>
가위 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson18v14.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">scissors</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
가위로 자르다 = to cut with scissors
Example:
종이를 가위로 **잘라요** = To cut paper with **scissors**
</Details>
팀 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson18v15.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">team</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
우리 팀 = our team
홈팀 = home team
원정 팀 = visiting team
팀을 응원하다 = to cheer for a team
팀장 = the leader of a team (usually a team within a business)
Example:
우리는 좋은 공격으로 그 **팀**을 이겼어요 = We beat that **team** using good offense
우리는 다른 **팀**을 농구경기에서 이겼어요 = We beat the other **team** in the basketball game
</Details>
부모님 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson18v16.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">parents</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
학부모 = parents of students
부모님을 사랑하다 = to love one’s parents
부모님이 돌아가시다 = a respectful way to say that somebody’s parent has passed away
Example:
그의 **부모님**은 아직 미국에서 살아요 = His **parents** still live in America
**부모님**들은 아이에 큰 영향을 준다/미친다 = **parents** have a big influence on their children
**부모님**들은 아이에 영향을 미친다 = **Parents** have an influence on their children
**부모님** 앞에서 그렇게 행동하지 마세요 = Don’t act that way in front of your **parents**
제가 저의 여자 친구의 **부모님**을 만날 때마다 저는 너무 긴장돼요 = Every time I meet my girlfriend’s **parents**, I am very nervous
</Details>
피부 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson18v17.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">skin</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
피부색 = skin color (the color of skin)
피부색깔 = one’s skin color
Example:
그 여자의 피부가 너무 **부드러워요** = That girl’s **skin** is very smooth
유럽 사람의 **피부**는 하얘요 = European people’s **skin** is white
</Details>
군대 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson18v19.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">army</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
군대에/를 가다 = to enter the military
군대를 파견하다 = to dispatch an army
군대를 지휘하다 = to command an army
Example:
저의 사촌은 **군대**에 갔어요 = My cousin went to the **army**
미국**군대**는 한국**군대**보다 더 커요 = The American **military** is bigger than the Korean **military**
</Details>
군인 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson18v20.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">soldier</span>
<Details>
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “구닌”
Common Usages:
군인이 되다 = to become a soldier
군인 생활 = the life of a soldier/soldier life
Example:
**군인**들은 매일 일찍 일어나야 돼요 = **Soldiers** have to wake up early every day
**군인**들은 적의 덫에서 못 빠져나갔어요 = The **soldiers** could not escape the enemy’s trap
</Details>
지도 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson18v21.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">map</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
세계지도 = world map
Example:
저는 **지도**를 벽에 걸었어요 = I hung a **map** on the wall
</Details>
책상 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson18v22.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">desk</span>
<Details>
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “책쌍”
Example:
**책상**에 책 몇 권이 놓여 있어요 = There are some books on the **desk**
**책상**이 너무 복잡해서 책을 조금 치워야 돼요 = I need to clean up (organize) the books a bit because my **desk** is very messy/unorganized
</Details>
어깨 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson18v23.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">shoulder</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
어깨에 메다 = to put something on one’s shoulders
어깨를 주무르다 = to massage one’s shoulders
Example:
저는 가방을 **어깨**에 멨어요 = I put the bag on my **shoulders**
</Details>
백화점 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson18v24.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">department store</span>
<Details>
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “배콰점”
Common Usages:
롯데 백화점 = Lotte Department Store
현대 백화점 = Hyundai Department Store
Example:
**백화점**에 옷이 너무 비싸요 = Clothes are too expensive in **department stores**
**백화점**에는 외부 주차장도 있어요 = There is a parking lot outside the **department** **store** as well
</Details>
대학생 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson18v25.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">university student</span>
<Details>
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “대학쌩”
Common Usages:
대학생 때 = when one was a university student
대학생활 = University life
Examples:
저는 **대학생**이에요= I am a **university student**
저의 누나는 **대학생**이에요 = My older sister is a **university student**
우리 아들은 지금 **대학생**이에요 = Our son is a **university student** now
**대학생** 때 저의 전공은 영어였어요 = In **University**, my major was English
</Details>
중학교 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson18v26.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">middle school</span>
<Details>
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “중학꾜”
Common Usage:
중학교를 다니다 = to attend a middle school
Example:
저는 영어를 **중학교**에서 배웠어요 = I learned English in **middle school**
Harry Potter의 독자들은 보통 **중학교** 혹은 고등학생이에요 = Most readers of Harry Potter are **middle** or high **school** students
</Details>
가수 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson18v27.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">singer</span>
<Details>
Example:
그 **가수**는 한국에서 매우 유명해요 = That **singer** is very famous in Korea
</Details>
공기 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson18v28.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">air</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
공기가 맑다 = for the air to be clear
공기가 좋다 = for the air to be good
공기가 나쁘다 for the air to be bad
공기가 건조하다 = for the air to be dry
Example:
캐나다 **공기**는 아주 건조해요 = The **air** in Canada is very dry
**공기**가 나빠서 저는 숨을 못 쉬어요 = I can’t breathe because the **air** is bad
</Details>
새벽 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson18v29.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">dawn</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
새벽에 일어나다 = to wake up early
새벽 2 시에 = at 2:00 in the morning
Notes: The word 오전 generally refers to anything before noon, but 새벽 is used to refer to something that is really early in the morning. Typically, 새벽 refers to the time before the sun rises.
Example:
저는 매일 **새벽** 5시에 일어나요 = I wake up every day at 5 **a.m**.
[This word appears in my Korean Sign Explanation Video #1.]
<YouTube id=5oqbDZymdBM />
</Details>
내부 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson18v37.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">inside part</span>
<Details>
It is easy to understand the meaning of 내부 and 외부 if you understand their simple [Hanja ](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/hanja-unit-1-lessons-1-20/)origins. 내([內](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/hanja-unit-1-lessons-1-20/hanja-lesson-3/ "Hanja Lesson 3: 日, 月, 年, 內, 外")) means “inside” and 외([外](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/hanja-unit-1-lessons-1-20/hanja-lesson-3/ "Hanja Lesson 3: 日, 月, 年, 內, 外")) means “outside.” You don’t need to worry about the Chinese characters just yet, but knowing that 외 and 내 usually have these meanings can help you tremendously when learning new words. If you want to go further, 부([部](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/hanja-unit-1-lessons-1-20/hanja-lesson-17/ "Hanja Lesson 17: 部, 分, 多, 數, 全")) (as in, 내부 and 외부) means “part.” 내부 then means “the inside part/the inside”, and 외부 means “the outside part/the outside.”
Example:
스타벅스의 **내부** 분위기는 매우 안락해요 = The atmosphere **inside** Starbucks is very comfortable
</Details>
외부 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson18v38.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">outside part</span>
<Details>
It is easy to understand the meaning of 내부 and 외부 if you understand their simple [Hanja ](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/hanja-unit-1-lessons-1-20/)origins. 내([內](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/hanja-unit-1-lessons-1-20/hanja-lesson-3/ "Hanja Lesson 3: 日, 月, 年, 內, 外")) means “inside” and 외([外](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/hanja-unit-1-lessons-1-20/hanja-lesson-3/ "Hanja Lesson 3: 日, 月, 年, 內, 外")) means “outside.” You don’t need to worry about the Chinese characters just yet, but knowing that 외 and 내 usually have these meanings can help you tremendously when learning new words. If you want to go further, 부([部](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/hanja-unit-1-lessons-1-20/hanja-lesson-17/ "Hanja Lesson 17: 部, 分, 多, 數, 全")) (as in, 내부 and 외부) means “part.” 내부 then means “the inside part/the inside”, and 외부 means “the outside part/the outside.”
Example:
백화점에는 **외부** 주차장도 있어요 = There is a parking lot **outside** the department store as well
이 쪽은 건물 **외부**로 나갈 수 있는 길이다 = This way/direction will take you **outside** (to the **outer part** of the) the building
</Details>
### Verbs
자르다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson18v30.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to cut</span>
<Details>
자르다 follows the 르 irregular
Common Usages:
머리를 자르다 = to cut one’s hair
사람을 자르다 = to fire a person (literally “to cut a person”)
Example:
저는 어제 미용실에서 머리를 **잘랐어요** = I got my hair **cut** in the beauty parlor yesterday
손톱을 왜 이렇게 짧게 **잘랐어요**? = Why did you **cut** your nails so short (like this)?
옆 집에서 사는 사람은 그 소나무를 **잘랐을** 것 같아요 = It seems like the person who lives in the house next door **cut** the pine tree
</Details>
요청하다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson18v31.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to ask, to request</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
도움을 요청하다 (to ask for help)
Example:
저는 선생님에게 숙제에 대한 설명을 **요청했어요** = I **asked** the teacher for an explanation of the homework
</Details>
젖다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson18v34.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to be wet</span>
<Details>
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “젇따”
Example:
수영장에 들어간 후에 옷이 완전히 **젖었어요** = My clothes are completely **wet** after going into the pool
빨래를 다 하고 **젖은** 옷을 줄에 걸었는데 빨래가 무거워서 줄이 바닥으로 늘어[u]졌어요[/u]
= After doing the laundry, I hung the **wet** clothes on the line, but the laundry (clothes) were so heavy the line drooped to the floor
</Details>
### Adjectives
궁금하다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson18v32.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to be curious about</span>
<Details>
Notes: 궁금하다 often translates to “to wonder,” which makes learners assume that it is a verb. Rather, 궁금하다 is an adjective and is more about the feeling of wondering (or being curious) about something.
Common Usages:
궁금한 것이 있다 = to wonder something, to have a question
궁금한 게 있는데… = I’m wondering something…
Example: 그가 언제 올지 **궁금해요** = I **wonder** when he is coming
그 여자의 나이가 **궁금해서** 몇 살인지 물어봤어요 = I was **curious** of that girl’s age, so I asked how old she is
</Details>
안타깝다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson18v33.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to be unfortunate</span>
<Details>
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “안타깝따”
안타깝다 follows the ㅂ irregular
Common Usages:
안타까운 상황 = unfortunate situation
Examples:
엄마가 우리랑 같이 못 먹어서 **안타까워요**
= It’s **too bad** that your mom can’t eat with us
상황이 조금 **안타깝지만** 어쩔 수 없다
= The situation is **unfortunate**, but there is nothing we can do (about it)
너무 **안타까워서** 내일 그 왕따를 놀리지 말자
= Let’s not tease that outcast tomorrow because it is too **sad**/**sorry** (of a situation)
성공하기 위해 매일 애쓰는 사람들을 보면 대단하면서도 **안타까워요**
= When I see people struggling to try to succeed, it is amazing but also **sad** at the same time
</Details>
### Adverbs and Other Words
주로 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson18v36.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">mainly, mostly</span>
<Details>
Notes: 주로 is an adverb that sounds a lot like an adjective in sentences. It is often put before nouns (like adjectives) to mean “mainly/mostly (noun).”
Example:
- 저의 친구는 **주로** 남자예요 = My friends are **mostly** men
- 저는 **주로** 과일과 야채를 먹어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/1-I-mainly-eat-fruits-and-vegetables.m4a" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I **mainly** eat fruits and vegetables</span>
</Details>
이쪽 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/37.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">this direction</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
이쪽으로 = in this direction
Examples:
사방을 살피고 저쪽으로나 **이쪽**으로 가세요
= Look both ways (all ways) and then go **this way** or that way
저쪽으로 가면 앞문이 나오며 **이쪽**으로 가면 뒷문이 나와요
= If you go that way, you will see the front door, and if you go **this way**, you will see the back door
</Details>
그쪽 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/38.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">that direction</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
그쪽으로 = in that direction
Examples: **그쪽**으로 가면 안 돼요 = You shouldn’t go **that way
그쪽**으로 가는 게 나을 것 같아요 = Going **that way** is probably better
</Details>
저쪽 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson18v39.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">that direction</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
저쪽으로 = in that direction
저쪽으로 가다 = to go in that direction
Examples:
우리는 **저쪽**으로 가야 돼요 = We need to go in **that direction**
그 사람이 **저쪽**으로 갔어요 = That person went (in) **that direction**
사방을 살피고 **저쪽**으로나 이쪽으로 가세요 = Look both ways (all ways) and then go this way or **that way
저쪽**으로 가면 앞문이 나오며 이쪽으로 가면 뒷문이 나와요
= If you go **that way**, you will see the front door, and if you go that way, you will see the back door
</Details>
For help memorizing these words, try using our [mobile app](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/app/).
## Present Progressive: \~고 있다
Attaching \~고 있다 to the stem of verbs gives it the meaning of “I am \_\_\_\_ ing,” – as in, I am currently doing something. It is called the “present progressive” because the action is being done in the present, and is currently “progressing” as time goes on.
This grammatical form is very common in Korean. Simply attach \~고 있다 to a verb stem:
_As you know,_ 있다 *has many usages and meanings in Korean. Sometimes* 있다 _is a verb, and sometimes it is an adjective. When used as_ \~고 있다 _as described here,_ 있다 _is a verb. For now, this is only important to you when conjugating in the plain form. In the future, there will be other times when this distinction will be important._
- 나는 음악을 듣고 있어 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson18-1.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I am listening to music</span>
- 저의 아버지는 자고 있어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson18-2.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">My father is sleeping</span>
- 여자들은 지금 영화를 보고 있어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson18-3.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">The girls are watching a movie now</span>
- 저는 사과를 자르고 있어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-18-1.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I am cutting the apple</span>
- 저는 청구서를 지금 내고 있어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-18-2.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I am paying the bill now</span>
This same form can be used in the past tense to mean “I was \_\_\_ing.”
- 저는 밥을 먹고 있었어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-18-3.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I was eating</span>
- 학생들은 수업 시간 동안 자고 있었어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-18-4.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">The students were sleeping during class</span>
_You learned previously that_ 동안 _has the meaning of “for” when placed after an indication of time_ (10년 동안 = _for 10 years). However, when placed after a noun, it has the meaning of “during”_ (방학 동안 _= during vacation_/수업 시간 동안 _= during class)_
However, using \~고 있다 in the past tense is slightly awkward in Korean. It _can_ be used like this, but it is often more natural to use the regular past tense conjugation instead. For example:
- 저는 밥을 먹고 있었어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-18-3.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I was eating</span>
- 학생들은 자고 있었어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-18-6.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">The students were sleeping</span>
In most situations the sentences above could be said in the following way without any real difference in meaning:
- 저는 밥을 먹었어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-18-7.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I ate</span>
- 학생들은 잤어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-18-8.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">The students slept</span>
Nonetheless, if you really want to stress that you _were_ doing something, you can use this form. More examples:
저는 백화점에서 쇼핑했어요 = I shopped at the department store
대학생은 책상에서 공부를 했어요 = The university student studied at his desk
- 저는 백화점에서 쇼핑하고 있었어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-18-9.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I was shopping at the department store</span>
- 대학생은 책상에서 공부를 하고 있었어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-18-10.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">The university student was studying at his desk</span>
\~고 있다 can also be conjugated into the future tense. For example:
- 나는 다음 주에 시험 공부를 하고 있을 거야 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-18-11.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Next week, I will be studying for an exam</span>
But, just like with the past tense of this form, the same meaning can be expressed by just using a regular future tense conjugation. Therefore, although the sentence above is correct, the same meaning can be expressed by saying:
저는 다음 주에 시험 공부를 할 거예요 = Next week, I will study for an exam
\~고 있다 can usually be used very easily with most verbs, but there are some special situations that we need to talk about before we move on.
### 1. 살고 있다
In English, we can say “I live in Canada.” You _could_ also say “I am living in Canada,” but to me it sounds more natural to say “I live in Canada.” In Korean, however, “살고 있다” is often used when you want to say “I live in \_**\_\_**\_:” For example, both of these are acceptable:
- 저는 한국에서 살고 있어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson18-14.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I live in Korea</span>
- 저는 한국에서 살아요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson18-15.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I live in Korea</span>
살다 (to live) is a little bit strange because you can actually use ‘에서’ or ‘에’ to indicate the place that you are living. For example, these are also correct, and have the same meaning as the previous examples:
- 저는 한국에 살고 있어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson-18-s1.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I live in Korea</span>
- 저는 한국에 살아요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-18-13.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I live in Korea</span>
Although they both sound natural to Korean speakers, I’ve heard that \~에서 is probably the correct one.
### 2. 알고 있다
In English, almost every verb can go into the “I am \_\_\_ing” form. For example:
I am studying
I am praying
I am listening
I am walking
I am playing
However, one word that we would never say that way is
I am knowing
In Korean, however, it is very common to say “알고 있다.” Instead of translating this to “I am knowing” it needs to be translated to “I know,” because we would never say “I am knowing” in English.
- 나는 그것을 알고 있어 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson18-18.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I know that</span>
- 나는 그것을 알아 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson18-19.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I know that</span>
While we are on the subject of “알다,” let’s talk about other ways that this word is commonly used.
When a person tells you something and you want to say “okay,” Korean people would use “알다” in these situations. One common time you would want to say “okay” or “알다” in this respect is when responding to a command. I haven’t taught you how to give commands yet (you will learn that in [Lesson 40](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/unit-2-lower-intermediate-korean-grammar/unit-2-lessons-34-41/lesson-40/ "Lesson 40: The Imperative Mood: ~아/어(요), ~(으)세요, ~아/어라, (으)십시오, ~지 말다")), but for the moment just accept that “집에 빨리 와” means “come home quickly.”
- Person 1: 집에 빨리 와! <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-18-14.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">come home quickly</span>
- Person 2: 알았어 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-18-14.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Okay</span>
However, this doesn’t need to be used in response to a command. It could just be any piece of new information that you want to say “okay” to. For example:
- Person 1: 우리는 내일 6시에 출발 할 거야 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-18-15.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">We will leave at 6:00 tomorrow</span>
- Person 2: 알았어 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-18-15.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Okay</span>
In formal situations, it is possible to use “알았어요,” but it is also very common to use the future tense formal conjugation of 알겠습니다. For example:
- Person 1: 이 일을 내일까지 해야 합니다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-18-16.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">You have to finish this work by tomorrow</span>
- (You haven’t learned the grammar for this sentence yet, so don’t worry about the Korean sentence. Focus more on the English sentence, because what I am trying to teach you here is the response to that question in Korean)
- Person 2: 네, 알겠습니다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-18-16.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Yes, okay. (I got it)</span>
### 3. 가지고 있다
A word that you learned in a previous lesson is “가지다.” 가지다 is a verb that means “to have/posses.” You also know that you can use 있다 to state that you “have” something. For example:
나는 펜이 있다 = I have a pen (remember that this usage of 있다 requires that 이/가 be added to the object, because 있다 is actually an adjective in this form).
When using 가지다, however, you would think that you could simply do this:
나는 펜을 가져 – I have a pen – But, it is not usually said like this. If you want to say that you _have_ something using 가지다, you should say “가지고 있다” instead of just “가지다.” For example:
- 나는 펜을 가지고 있어 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson18-23.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I have a pen</span>
Just like how we don’t say “I am knowing” in English, we also wouldn’t say “I am having.” Therefore, when translating “\~를/을 가지고 있다” into English, you need to say “I have \_\_\_\_.”
If you want to talk about ‘people’ that you ‘have,’ you should never use “가지고 있다.’ Instead, you should use just ‘있다.’ For example:
- 나는 여자 친구가 있어 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson18-24.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I have a girlfriend</span>
나는 여자 친구를 가지고 있어 – this technically means “I have a girlfriend,” but it’s meaning is more similar to “I possess a girlfriend.” If you say something like this in Korean, Korean people will probably understand you, but laugh at your mistake (similar to if somebody told me that they possess a girlfriend in English).
## Using 고 있다 with Position Verbs
In the previous lesson, you learned that you cannot add \~고 to position verbs. Examples of these verbs were:
앉다 = to sit
서다 = to stand
Specifically, I said:
“These position verbs usually act differently than regular verbs (not just in this situation, but in many situations).”
\~고 있다 is another situation where these position verbs act differently than regular verbs.
First of all, adding \~고 있다 to these verbs _can_ be done. For example:
저는 앉고 있다 = I am sitting – but note that this only means that you are actually in the process of sitting; as in, you are currently bending your knees getting ready to sit.
“저는 앉고 있다” is grammatically correct, but you need to ask yourself when you would ever say this.
What you want to say, is “I am (in the state of) sitting”… as in, your butt is on the floor/on a chair, etc.. If you want to do this, you have to add \~아/어 있다 to these verbs instead of \~고 있다. For example:
- 나는 앉아 있어 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson18-25.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I’m sitting</span>
- 나는 학교 옆에 서 있어 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson18-26.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I’m standing next to the school</span>
- 나는 침대에 누워 있어 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson18-27.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I’m lying in bed</span>
In theory, this is the same concept that you used when you added \~아/어 있다 to “state” like words in [Lesson 14](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/unit1/unit-1-lessons-9-16/lesson-14-korean-passive-verbs/ "Lesson 14: Korean Passive Verbs"). For example:
- 컴퓨터가 켜져 있어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson18-28.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">The computer is (in the state of) on</span>
- TV가 꺼져 있어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson18-29.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">The TV is (in the state of) off</span>
- 문이 잠겨 있어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson18-30.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">The door is (in the state of) locked</span>
One more time, for good measure:
나는 서고 있다 = This means that you are currently in the _process_ of standing up – which probably wouldn’t be said… especially since Korean people have a specific word for “getting up” – 일어나다.
나는 서 있다 = This means that you are in the state of standing (probably what you want to say in almost every situation)
Another common word that this is used with is 살다. Earlier in this lesson, you learned how you can use \~고 있다 with 살다. For example:
- 저는 한국에서 살고 있어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson18-14.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I live in Korea</span>
By adding “\~아/어 있다” to 살다, you can create the meaning of “in the state of living” (as in, the opposite of dead.) For example:
- 그 돼지는 살아 있어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-18-17.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">That pig is living (alive)</span>
- 그 소는 살아 있지 않아요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-18-18.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">That cow isn’t living (alive)</span>
## Using \~고 있다 with Adjectives
You cannot attach \~고 있다 to adjectives. Adjectives, by their nature, are not able to “progress” as verbs do. This is the same as in English. For example:
저는 행복해요 = I am happy – this is okay.
저는 행복하고 있어요 – I am… being happy? Doesn’t make any sense.
In English, you can say I am _getting_ happy. The next section will teach you how to do that.
## Adjective + \~아/어지다
Another powerful grammatical form in Korean is adding \~아/어지다 to the stem of an adjective. This changes the meaning of an adjective from “be (adjective)” to “get/become (adjective).” For example:
행복하다 = to be happy
행복해지다 = to get/become happy
춥다 = to be cold
추워지다 = to get cold
비싸다 = to be expensive
비싸지다 = to get expensive
크다 = to be big
커지다 = to get/become big
따뜻하다 = to be warm
따뜻해지다 = to get warm
You can technically use these adjectives in the present tense, but just like with verbs, you only ever really use the present tense conjugation to indicate common truths or to indicate the frequency of something happening. For example, you would rarely ever say:
I eat rice
But you might be more inclined to say:
I eat rice everyday
Same thing here:
- 날씨가 추워져 = <span class="md spoiler">The weather gets cold</span>
- 날씨가 매일 밤에 추워져요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-18-19.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">The weather gets cold every night</span>
It is more natural to use these types of words in sentences in the past/future tense:
- 날씨는 주말에 추워졌어 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson18-34.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">The weather got cold over the weekend</span>
- 기름 값은 비싸졌어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-18-20.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">The price of oil got expensive</span>
- 그 사람은 밥을 먹고 나서 행복해졌어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-18-21.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">That person ate, and then became happy</span>
- 우리 강아지는 지난 1년 동안 많이 커졌어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-18-22.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Our puppy got a lot bigger in the last year</span>
- 저는 군대에 갔고 똑똑해졌어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-18-23.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I went to the army and got smart</span>
- 대학교 수업은 내년에 어려워질 거예요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-18-24.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">University classes will get difficult next year</span>
[Want to see how \~아/어지다 would be used in a Korean street sign? Watch me breakdown the usage in a YouTube video.]
<YouTube id=0K0cNgI6Ny0 />
When \~아/어지다 is added to an adjective, the entire construction is a verb. In practice, this is rarely an issue because most times the conjugation of an adjective and a verb is the same. However, there are some conjugation patterns (which you learned about in [Lessons 5](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/unit1/unit-1-lessons-1-8/unit-1-lesson-5/) and [6](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/unit1/unit-1-lessons-1-8/unit-1-lesson-6/)) that are different depending on if the word is an adjective or verb. For example, when conjugating these using the “diary form,” it should be conjugated as:
날씨가 매일 밤에 추워진다 = The weather gets cold every night, instead of:
날씨가 매일 밤에 추워지다 = The weather gets cold every night
Keep this on your mind when you reach [Lessons 26 – 30](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/unit-2-lower-intermediate-korean-grammar/unit-2-lessons-26-33/lesson-26/), where I introduce the \~는 것 principle. In those lessons, you will learn about another grammatical principle that is treated differently depending on if it is added to verbs or adjectives. It also allows grammatical principles that otherwise wouldn’t be able to be attached to adjectives to be attached to this new “verb” word.
As I mentioned earlier, you cannot attach \~고 있다 to an adjective. However, by attaching \~아/어지다 to an adjective, you can indicate that something “becomes” an adjective. It is then possible to attach \~고 있다 to an adjective that has \~아/어지다 already attached. For example:
- 저의 여자 친구는 예뻐지고 있어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson18-40.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">My girlfriend is getting pretty</span>
- 집 값은 비싸지고 있어 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson18-41.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">House prices are getting expensive</span>
- 피부가 부드러워지고 있어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-18-25.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">My skin is getting soft</span>
In the previous lesson, you learned that you cannot add \~고 싶다 to an adjective. By attaching \~아/어지다, you can indicate that something “becomes” an adjective. It is then possible to attach \~고 싶다 to an adjective as with \~고 있다. For example:
- 나는 행복해지고 싶어 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson18-43.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I want to become happy (I want to be happy)</span>
- 나는 예뻐지고 싶어 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson18-44.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I want to become pretty (I want to be pretty)</span>
That’s it!
[Okay, I got it, take me to the next lesson!](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/?page_id=1357 "Lesson 19: Korean Comparatives and Superlatives – 더, 보다, 가장") Or,
[Click here for a workbook to go along with this lesson.](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/workbooks/#Unit1725 "Workbooks")
## Summary
<YouTube id=mSXKjU0JlbY />
Want to try to create some sentences using the vocabulary and grammar from this lesson?
This YouTube video will prompt you to translate English sentences into Korean using the concepts from this lesson.
<YouTube id=ZaJgFE1bxJ8 />
Want to practice your listening skills?
This YouTube video will prompt you with Korean sentences to dictate using the concepts from this lesson.