KoreaTOPIKCenter
Lv 4Grammar expressionSeen on past TOPIK papersIntermediate · TOPIK II

-는 중에

while in the middle of ~ing

Attaches to a verb stem to describe something happening while another action is still in progress; emphasizes the main action is not yet finished when the second event occurs.

Examples

  • 회의를 하는 중에 갑자기 전화가 울렸다.

    While we were in the middle of the meeting, the phone suddenly rang.

  • 밥을 먹는 중에 친구에게서 연락이 왔어요.

    While I was eating, I got a message from a friend.

  • 이사하는 중이라 집이 아직 정리가 안 됐어요.

    We're in the middle of moving, so the house isn't organized yet.

Examples written by Korea TOPIK Center.

Quick check

  1. 1. What does ‘-는 중에’ mean?

  2. 2. Which form means “while in the middle of ~ing”?