-고 있다
-go itda
to be doing
Attaches to a verb stem to show that an action is currently in progress ('-ing'), or that the result of a past action continues to hold (e.g. wearing/holding something).
Form
- Attaches to
- Verb, Auxiliary
Meanings
- 1
An expression used to state that the act mentioned in the preceding statement is continued.
앞말이 나타내는 행동이 계속 진행됨을 나타내는 표현.
- 2
An expression used to state that the result of the act mentioned in the preceding statement is continued.
앞말이 나타내는 행동의 결과가 계속됨을 나타내는 표현.
Examples
사진 속에서 우리 가족은 환하게 웃고 있었다.
In the picture, our family was smiling brightly.
벌써 아침 아홉 시가 넘었는데 승규는 아직도 자고 있다.
It's already past nine in the morning, but Seunggyu is still sleeping.
네가 먹고 있는 빵이 참 맛있어 보이는데.
The bread you're eating looks really delicious.
출발했니? 언제쯤 도착할 것 같아? 지금 가고 있으니까 십 분쯤 뒤에 도착할 거야.
Did you leave? About when do you think you'll arrive? I'm on my way now, so I'll get there in about ten minutes.
나는 눈은 감고 있었지만 아직 잠든 것은 아니었다.
My eyes were closed, but I hadn't fallen asleep yet.
지수는 양쪽 손에 모두 짐을 들고 있어서 버스 손잡이를 잡기가 어려웠다.
Jisu had luggage in both hands, so it was hard to hold onto the bus handle.
Examples: 한국어기초사전, CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.
Don’t confuse with
Forms with a close meaning — a favourite source of wrong answers on TOPIK.
Quick check
1. What does ‘-고 있다’ mean?
2. Which form means “to be doing”?