🏃

Ongoing Actions: -고 있다

Keywords
-고 있다, Present continuous
Lesson #
S
Done
Section
Basic Grammar
🏃
TL;DR 🦄
  • 🏃 -고 있다 [-go it-tta] means to be doing something / to be in the middle of an action.
  • ⏰ It often pairs naturally with 지금 [ji-geum] = now, because it points to an action happening around this moment.
  • 🧩 Build it simply: verb stem + 고 있다. 먹다 [meok-tta] = to eat → 먹고 있다 [meok-kko it-tta] = to be eating.
🔊
🎧 Iru Helper Note — Open
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets and type any Korean word or sentence from this lesson to hear it read aloud. Listen especially to 먹고 있어요 [meok-kko i-sseo-yo], 공부하고 있어요 [gong-bu-ha-go i-sseo-yo], and 기다리고 있어요 [gi-da-ri-go i-sseo-yo]. 🏃
 

🌈 The Big Picture

Use -고 있다 [-go it-tta] when an action is currently in progress. It is the Korean “in the middle of doing it” shape: eating, studying, waiting, writing, exercising, and so on. 🎬
 
Compare:
  • 밥을 먹어요. [ba-beul meo-geo-yo] = I eat / I eat a meal. 🍚
  • 지금 밥을 먹고 있어요. [ji-geum ba-beul meok-kko i-sseo-yo] = I am eating a meal now. 🍚⏰
 
Tiny map: 지금 [ji-geum] = now, 밥을 [ba-beul] = meal as the object, 먹고 [meok-kko] = doing “eat” in the ongoing-action shape, and 있어요 [i-sseo-yo] = am/is/are.
 

🎨 The Core “Ongoing Action” Family

Main pattern
  • 동사 = verb stem + 고 있다 [-go it-tta] = be doing an action now / be in the middle of doing it 🏃
 
Common forms
  • -고 있어요 [-go i-sseo-yo] = am/is/are doing
  • -고 있었어요 [-go i-sseo-sseo-yo] = was/were doing
  • -고 있을 거예요 [-go i-sseul geo-ye-yo] = will be doing
 
Useful action verbs
  • 먹다 [meok-tta] = to eat 🍚 → 먹고 있다 [meok-kko it-tta] = to be eating
  • 마시다 [ma-si-da] = to drink 💧 → 마시고 있다 [ma-si-go it-tta] = to be drinking
  • 보다 [bo-da] = to watch / see 👀 → 보고 있다 [bo-go it-tta] = to be watching / looking at
  • 읽다 [ik-tta] = to read 📚 → 읽고 있다 [il-kko it-tta] = to be reading
  • 쓰다 [sseu-da] = to write ✍️ → 쓰고 있다 [sseu-go it-tta] = to be writing
  • 공부하다 [gong-bu-ha-da] = to study 📘 → 공부하고 있다 [gong-bu-ha-go it-tta] = to be studying
  • 일하다 [il-ha-da] = to work 💼 → 일하고 있다 [il-ha-go it-tta] = to be working
  • 운동하다 [un-dong-ha-da] = to exercise 🏋️ → 운동하고 있다 [un-dong-ha-go it-tta] = to be exercising
  • 기다리다 [gi-da-ri-da] = to wait ⏳ → 기다리고 있다 [gi-da-ri-go it-tta] = to be waiting
  • 전화하다 [jeon-hwa-ha-da] = to call / talk on the phone 📞 → 전화하고 있다 [jeon-hwa-ha-go it-tta] = to be on the phone
  • 요리하다 [yo-ri-ha-da] = to cook 🍳 → 요리하고 있다 [yo-ri-ha-go it-tta] = to be cooking
  • 쉬다 [swi-da] = to rest 🛋️ → 쉬고 있다 [swi-go it-tta] = to be resting
  • 자다 [ja-da] = to sleep 😴 → 자고 있다 [ja-go it-tta] = to be sleeping
 
Useful scene words for this lesson include 지금 [ji-geum] = now, 밥 [bap] = meal/rice, 물 [mul] = water, 책 [chaek] = book, 글 [geul] = writing/text, 영화 [yeong-hwa] = movie, 한국어 [han-gu-geo] = Korean language, 집 [jip] = home, 학교 [hak-kkyo] = school, 친구 [chin-gu] = friend, 전화 [jeon-hwa] = phone call, and 아침 [a-chim] = morning / breakfast.
 

🛠️ How They Work in a Sentence

1. Eating now
  • 지금 밥을 먹고 있어요. [ji-geum ba-beul meok-kko i-sseo-yo] = I am eating a meal now. 🍚
      • 밥을 [ba-beul] = meal as the object, 먹고 있어요 [meok-kko i-sseo-yo] = am eating.
 
2. Studying now
  • 학교에서 한국어를 공부하고 있어요. [hak-kkyo-e-seo han-gu-geo-reul gong-bu-ha-go i-sseo-yo] = I am studying Korean at school. 📘
      • 학교에서 [hak-kkyo-e-seo] = at school, 한국어를 [han-gu-geo-reul] = Korean as the object, 공부하고 있어요 [gong-bu-ha-go i-sseo-yo] = am studying.
 
3. Waiting now
  • 친구를 기다리고 있어요. [chin-gu-reul gi-da-ri-go i-sseo-yo] = I am waiting for a friend. ⏳
      • 친구를 [chin-gu-reul] = friend as the object, 기다리고 있어요 [gi-da-ri-go i-sseo-yo] = am waiting.
 

🧩 General Formation Rule

General rule: -고 있다 does not use the 아/어 form. Remove dictionary 다, then add 고 있다:
  • 먹다 → 먹고 있다 [meok-tta → meok-kko it-tta] ✅
  • 마시다 → 마시고 있다 [ma-si-da → ma-si-go it-tta] ✅
  • 보다 → 보고 있다 [bo-da → bo-go it-tta] ✅
  • 읽다 → 읽고 있다 [ik-tta → il-kko it-tta] ✅
  • 쓰다 → 쓰고 있다 [sseu-da → sseu-go it-tta] ✅
  • 공부하다 → 공부하고 있다 [gong-bu-ha-da → gong-bu-ha-go it-tta] ✅
 

📚 Cross-check note

This lesson’s -고 있다 ongoing-action pattern and common tense forms were cross-checked with 국립국어원 / korean.go.kr. ✅
 

🪞 Synonym Alert

  • -고 있다 [-go it-tta] = an action is in progress. Focuses on someone/something doing the action now. 🏃
  • -아/어 있다 [-a/eo it-tta] = a result is maintained. Focuses on the state after something happened. 🧷
 
Compare:
  • 문이 열리고 있어요. [mu-ni yeol-li-go i-sseo-yo] = The door is opening. 🚪
  • 문이 열려 있어요. [mu-ni yeol-lyeo i-sseo-yo] = The door is open. 🚪🧷
 

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

  • ❌ 먹어고 있어요 [meo-geo-go i-sseo-yo] → ✅ 먹고 있어요 [meok-kko i-sseo-yo] — do not use the 아/어 form before 고.
  • ❌ 공부하다고 있어요 [gong-bu-ha-da-go i-sseo-yo] → ✅ 공부하고 있어요 [gong-bu-ha-go i-sseo-yo] — remove dictionary 다.
  • ❌ 읽어고 있어요 [il-geo-go i-sseo-yo] → ✅ 읽고 있어요 [il-kko i-sseo-yo] — attach 고 directly to the stem.
  • ❌ 먹고있어요 as one tight chunk → ✅ 먹고 있어요 — keep 있다 separate.
  • ⚠️ Do not use -고 있다 for every English “is.” It describes an ongoing action, not identity or simple existence.
 
🎉 With -고 있다 [-go it-tta], Korean can show the camera is rolling: eating, studying, waiting, writing, working, and living dramatically in real time. 🏃🎬
 

Try this exercise

Instructions
Complete each sentence with the correct verb stem before 고 있어요. Read the full sentence aloud, then open the Answer toggle. 🏃
1. 지금 밥을 ＿＿＿＿고 있어요.
[ji-geum ba-beul ＿＿＿＿ go i-sseo-yo]
I am eating a meal now. 🍚
Answer
먹 [meok] — 먹다 loses 다: 먹고 있어요.
2. 지금 물을 ＿＿＿＿고 있어요.
[ji-geum mu-reul ＿＿＿＿ go i-sseo-yo]
I am drinking water now. 💧
Answer
마시 [ma-si] — 마시다 → 마시고 있어요.
3. 지금 영화를 ＿＿＿＿고 있어요.
[ji-geum yeong-hwa-reul ＿＿＿＿ go i-sseo-yo]
I am watching a movie now. 🎬
Answer
보 [bo] — 보다 → 보고 있어요.
4. 지금 책을 ＿＿＿＿고 있어요.
[ji-geum chae-geul ＿＿＿＿ go i-sseo-yo]
I am reading a book now. 📚
Answer
읽 [ik] — 읽다 → 읽고 있어요; 읽고 sounds like [il-kko].
5. 지금 글을 ＿＿＿＿고 있어요.
[ji-geum geu-reul ＿＿＿＿ go i-sseo-yo]
I am writing text now. ✍️
Answer
쓰 [sseu] — 쓰다 → 쓰고 있어요, not 써고.
6. 학교에서 한국어를 ＿＿＿＿고 있어요.
[hak-kkyo-e-seo han-gu-geo-reul ＿＿＿＿ go i-sseo-yo]
I am studying Korean at school. 📘
Answer
공부하 [gong-bu-ha] — 공부하다 → 공부하고 있어요.
7. 집에서 ＿＿＿＿고 있어요.
[ji-be-seo ＿＿＿＿ go i-sseo-yo]
I am working at home. 💼
Answer
일하 [il-ha] — 일하다 → 일하고 있어요.
8. 지금 ＿＿＿＿고 있어요.
[ji-geum ＿＿＿＿ go i-sseo-yo]
I am exercising now. 🏋️
Answer
운동하 [un-dong-ha] — 운동하다 → 운동하고 있어요.
9. 친구를 ＿＿＿＿고 있어요.
[chin-gu-reul ＿＿＿＿ go i-sseo-yo]
I am waiting for a friend. ⏳
Answer
기다리 [gi-da-ri] — 기다리다 → 기다리고 있어요.
10. 지금 ＿＿＿＿고 있어요.
[ji-geum ＿＿＿＿ go i-sseo-yo]
I am resting now. 🛋️
Answer
쉬 [swi] — 쉬다 → 쉬고 있어요.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 지금 [ji-geum] → now
  • 밥 [bap] → meal / rice
  • 물 [mul] → water
  • 영화 [yeong-hwa] → movie
  • 책 [chaek] → book
  • 글 [geul] → writing / text
  • 학교 [hak-kkyo] → school
  • 한국어 [han-gu-geo] → Korean language
  • 집 [jip] → home
  • 친구 [chin-gu] → friend
  • 먹다 [meok-tta] → to eat
  • 마시다 [ma-si-da] → to drink
  • 보다 [bo-da] → to watch / see
  • 읽다 [ik-tta] → to read
  • 쓰다 [sseu-da] → to write
  • 공부하다 [gong-bu-ha-da] → to study
  • 일하다 [il-ha-da] → to work
  • 운동하다 [un-dong-ha-da] → to exercise
  • 기다리다 [gi-da-ri-da] → to wait
  • 쉬다 [swi-da] → to rest
Tip 💡 Use the stem before 고 있어요; no dictionary 다.
🚀
Want more reps? Keep scrolling to the Practice Hub when you’re ready!
 
📦
🎯 Practice Hub — Ongoing Actions: -고 있다
 
Welcome to the Practice Hub for -고 있다 [-go it-tta]. You’ll practice actions in motion: eating, drinking, watching, reading, writing, studying, waiting, calling, cooking, resting, and sleeping. Tiny grammar camera: rolling. 🏃🎥
 
🔊 Audio reminder: Use
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets whenever you want to hear a sentence before checking the answer.
 
📝 Instructions: Fill each blank with the correct stem, 있다 form, or contrast form. Read the full sentence aloud, make sure the action is truly ongoing, then open the Answer toggle.
 

Exercise 1 — Core Present Forms with 고 있어요 🏃

A. 아침을 ＿＿＿＿고 있어요.
[a-chi-meul ＿＿＿＿ go i-sseo-yo]
I am eating breakfast. 🍚
Answer
먹 [meok] — 먹다 → 먹고 있어요.
B. 아침에 물을 ＿＿＿＿고 있어요.
[a-chi-me mu-reul ＿＿＿＿ go i-sseo-yo]
I am drinking water in the morning. 💧
Answer
마시 [ma-si] — 마시다 → 마시고 있어요.
C. 집에서 영화를 ＿＿＿＿고 있어요.
[ji-be-seo yeong-hwa-reul ＿＿＿＿ go i-sseo-yo]
I am watching a movie at home. 🎬
Answer
보 [bo] — 보다 → 보고 있어요.
D. 학교에서 책을 ＿＿＿＿고 있어요.
[hak-kkyo-e-seo chae-geul ＿＿＿＿ go i-sseo-yo]
I am reading a book at school. 📚
Answer
읽 [ik] — 읽다 → 읽고 있어요; 읽고 sounds like [il-kko].
E. 집에서 글을 ＿＿＿＿고 있어요.
[ji-be-seo geu-reul ＿＿＿＿ go i-sseo-yo]
I am writing text at home. ✍️
Answer
쓰 [sseu] — 쓰다 → 쓰고 있어요.
F. 지금 한국어를 ＿＿＿＿고 있어요.
[ji-geum han-gu-geo-reul ＿＿＿＿ go i-sseo-yo]
I am studying Korean now. 📘
Answer
공부하 [gong-bu-ha] — 공부하다 → 공부하고 있어요.
G. 지금 집에서 ＿＿＿＿고 있어요.
[ji-geum ji-be-seo ＿＿＿＿ go i-sseo-yo]
I am working at home now. 💼
Answer
일하 [il-ha] — 일하다 → 일하고 있어요.
H. 학교에서 ＿＿＿＿고 있어요.
[hak-kkyo-e-seo ＿＿＿＿ go i-sseo-yo]
I am exercising at school. 🏋️
Answer
운동하 [un-dong-ha] — 운동하다 → 운동하고 있어요.
I. 친구를 ＿＿＿＿고 있어요.
[chin-gu-reul ＿＿＿＿ go i-sseo-yo]
I am waiting for a friend. ⏳
Answer
기다리 [gi-da-ri] — 기다리다 → 기다리고 있어요.
J. 지금 ＿＿＿＿고 있어요.
[ji-geum ＿＿＿＿ go i-sseo-yo]
I am resting now. 🛋️
Answer
쉬 [swi] — 쉬다 → 쉬고 있어요.
🏃
Vocabulary Box
  • 지금 [ji-geum] → now
  • 아침 [a-chim] → morning / breakfast
  • 물 [mul] → water
  • 집 [jip] → home
  • 영화 [yeong-hwa] → movie
  • 학교 [hak-kkyo] → school
  • 책 [chaek] → book
  • 글 [geul] → writing / text
  • 한국어 [han-gu-geo] → Korean language
  • 친구 [chin-gu] → friend
  • 먹다 [meok-tta] → to eat
  • 마시다 [ma-si-da] → to drink
  • 보다 [bo-da] → to watch / see
  • 읽다 [ik-tta] → to read
  • 쓰다 [sseu-da] → to write
  • 공부하다 [gong-bu-ha-da] → to study
  • 일하다 [il-ha-da] → to work
  • 운동하다 [un-dong-ha-da] → to exercise
  • 기다리다 [gi-da-ri-da] → to wait
  • 쉬다 [swi-da] → to rest
Tip 💡 Stem + 고 있어요 = action happening now.
 

Exercise 2 — Past and Future Ongoing Actions ⏳

A. 아침을 먹고 ＿＿＿＿.
[a-chi-meul meok-kko ＿＿＿＿]
I was eating breakfast. 🍚
Answer
있었어요 [i-sseo-sseo-yo] — past ongoing action.
B. 물을 마시고 ＿＿＿＿.
[mu-reul ma-si-go ＿＿＿＿]
I am drinking water. 💧
Answer
있어요 [i-sseo-yo] — present ongoing action.
C. 영화를 보고 ＿＿＿＿.
[yeong-hwa-reul bo-go ＿＿＿＿]
I will be watching a movie. 🎬
Answer
있을 거예요 [i-sseul geo-ye-yo] — future ongoing action.
D. 책을 읽고 ＿＿＿＿.
[chae-geul il-kko ＿＿＿＿]
I was reading a book. 📚
Answer
있었어요 [i-sseo-sseo-yo] — past ongoing action.
E. 글을 쓰고 ＿＿＿＿.
[geu-reul sseu-go ＿＿＿＿]
I am writing text. ✍️
Answer
있어요 [i-sseo-yo] — present ongoing action.
F. 한국어를 공부하고 ＿＿＿＿.
[han-gu-geo-reul gong-bu-ha-go ＿＿＿＿]
I will be studying Korean. 📘
Answer
있을 거예요 [i-sseul geo-ye-yo] — future ongoing action.
G. 집에서 일하고 ＿＿＿＿.
[ji-be-seo il-ha-go ＿＿＿＿]
I was working at home. 💼
Answer
있었어요 [i-sseo-sseo-yo] — past ongoing action.
H. 운동하고 ＿＿＿＿.
[un-dong-ha-go ＿＿＿＿]
I am exercising. 🏋️
Answer
있어요 [i-sseo-yo] — present ongoing action.
I. 친구를 기다리고 ＿＿＿＿.
[chin-gu-reul gi-da-ri-go ＿＿＿＿]
I will be waiting for a friend. ⏳
Answer
있을 거예요 [i-sseul geo-ye-yo] — future ongoing action.
J. 쉬고 ＿＿＿＿.
[swi-go ＿＿＿＿]
I was resting. 🛋️
Answer
있었어요 [i-sseo-sseo-yo] — past ongoing action.
⏳
Vocabulary Box
  • 있어요 [i-sseo-yo] → am/is/are doing
  • 있었어요 [i-sseo-sseo-yo] → was/were doing
  • 있을 거예요 [i-sseul geo-ye-yo] → will be doing
  • 아침 [a-chim] → morning / breakfast
  • 물 [mul] → water
  • 영화 [yeong-hwa] → movie
  • 책 [chaek] → book
  • 글 [geul] → writing / text
  • 한국어 [han-gu-geo] → Korean language
  • 집 [jip] → home
  • 친구 [chin-gu] → friend
  • 먹다 [meok-tta] → to eat
  • 마시다 [ma-si-da] → to drink
  • 보다 [bo-da] → to watch / see
  • 읽다 [ik-tta] → to read
  • 쓰다 [sseu-da] → to write
  • 공부하다 [gong-bu-ha-da] → to study
  • 일하다 [il-ha-da] → to work
  • 운동하다 [un-dong-ha-da] → to exercise
  • 기다리다 [gi-da-ri-da] → to wait
  • 쉬다 [swi-da] → to rest
Tip 💡 Change 있다, not the verb stem, to shift time.
 

Exercise 3 — Action Words in Real Contexts 📍

A. 집에서 전화＿＿＿＿ 있어요.
[ji-be-seo jeon-hwa ＿＿＿＿ i-sseo-yo]
I am on the phone at home. 📞
Answer
하고 [ha-go] — 전화하다 → 전화하고 있어요.
B. 집에서 요리＿＿＿＿ 있어요.
[ji-be-seo yo-ri ＿＿＿＿ i-sseo-yo]
I am cooking at home. 🍳
Answer
하고 [ha-go] — 요리하다 → 요리하고 있어요.
C. 지금 ＿＿＿＿고 있어요.
[ji-geum ＿＿＿＿ go i-sseo-yo]
I am sleeping now. 😴
Answer
자 [ja] — 자다 → 자고 있어요.
D. 친구와 ＿＿＿＿고 있어요.
[chin-gu-wa ＿＿＿＿ go i-sseo-yo]
I am talking with a friend. 🗣️
Answer
말하 [mal-ha] — 말하다 → 말하고 있어요.
E. 학교에서 한국어를 ＿＿＿＿고 있었어요.
[hak-kkyo-e-seo han-gu-geo-reul ＿＿＿＿ go i-sseo-sseo-yo]
I was studying Korean at school. 📘
Answer
공부하 [gong-bu-ha] — 공부하고 있었어요.
F. 집에서 아침을 ＿＿＿＿고 있었어요.
[ji-be-seo a-chi-meul ＿＿＿＿ go i-sseo-sseo-yo]
I was eating breakfast at home. 🍚
Answer
먹 [meok] — 먹고 있었어요.
G. 지금 글을 ＿＿＿＿고 있을 거예요.
[ji-geum geu-reul ＿＿＿＿ go i-sseul geo-ye-yo]
I will be writing text now / around then. ✍️
Answer
쓰 [sseu] — 쓰고 있을 거예요.
H. 친구를 ＿＿＿＿고 있을 거예요.
[chin-gu-reul ＿＿＿＿ go i-sseul geo-ye-yo]
I will be waiting for a friend. ⏳
Answer
기다리 [gi-da-ri] — 기다리고 있을 거예요.
I. 영화를 ＿＿＿＿고 있었어요.
[yeong-hwa-reul ＿＿＿＿ go i-sseo-sseo-yo]
I was watching a movie. 🎬
Answer
보 [bo] — 보고 있었어요.
J. 지금 물을 ＿＿＿＿고 있어요.
[ji-geum mu-reul ＿＿＿＿ go i-sseo-yo]
I am drinking water now. 💧
Answer
마시 [ma-si] — 마시고 있어요.
📍
Vocabulary Box
  • 지금 [ji-geum] → now
  • 집 [jip] → home
  • 학교 [hak-kkyo] → school
  • 친구 [chin-gu] → friend
  • 전화 [jeon-hwa] → phone call
  • 요리 [yo-ri] → cooking
  • 한국어 [han-gu-geo] → Korean language
  • 아침 [a-chim] → breakfast / morning
  • 글 [geul] → writing / text
  • 영화 [yeong-hwa] → movie
  • 물 [mul] → water
  • 전화하다 [jeon-hwa-ha-da] → to call
  • 요리하다 [yo-ri-ha-da] → to cook
  • 자다 [ja-da] → to sleep
  • 말하다 [mal-ha-da] → to speak
  • 공부하다 [gong-bu-ha-da] → to study
  • 먹다 [meok-tta] → to eat
  • 쓰다 [sseu-da] → to write
  • 기다리다 [gi-da-ri-da] → to wait
  • 보다 [bo-da] → to watch / see
  • 마시다 [ma-si-da] → to drink
Tip 💡 하다 verbs use 하고 있어요.
 

Exercise 4 — Ongoing Action or Maintained Result? 🎬

A. 문이 ＿＿＿＿ 있어요.
[mu-ni ＿＿＿＿ i-sseo-yo]
The door is opening. 🚪
Answer
열리고 [yeol-li-go] — ongoing action/change: -고 있다.
B. 문이 ＿＿＿＿ 있어요.
[mu-ni ＿＿＿＿ i-sseo-yo]
The door is open. 🚪
Answer
열려 [yeol-lyeo] — maintained result: -아/어 있다.
C. 불이 ＿＿＿＿ 있어요.
[bu-ri ＿＿＿＿ i-sseo-yo]
The light is turning off. 🕯️
Answer
꺼지고 [kkeo-ji-go] — ongoing change.
D. 불이 ＿＿＿＿ 있어요.
[bu-ri ＿＿＿＿ i-sseo-yo]
The light is off. 🕯️
Answer
꺼져 [kkeo-jyeo] — maintained result.
E. 책을 ＿＿＿＿ 있어요.
[chae-geul ＿＿＿＿ i-sseo-yo]
I am reading a book. 📚
Answer
읽고 [il-kko] — ongoing action.
F. 책이 책상 위에 ＿＿＿＿ 있어요.
[chae-gi chaek-ssang wi-e ＿＿＿＿ i-sseo-yo]
The book is placed on the desk. 📚
Answer
놓여 [no-yeo] — maintained result.
G. 글을 ＿＿＿＿ 있어요.
[geu-reul ＿＿＿＿ i-sseo-yo]
I am writing text. ✍️
Answer
쓰고 [sseu-go] — ongoing action.
H. 사진이 벽에 ＿＿＿＿ 있어요.
[sa-ji-ni byeok-e ＿＿＿＿ i-sseo-yo]
The photo is attached to the wall. 🖼️
Answer
붙어 [bu-teo] — maintained result.
I. 친구를 ＿＿＿＿ 있어요.
[chin-gu-reul ＿＿＿＿ i-sseo-yo]
I am waiting for a friend. ⏳
Answer
기다리고 [gi-da-ri-go] — ongoing action.
J. 학생이 의자에 ＿＿＿＿ 있어요.
[hak-ssaeng-i ui-ja-e ＿＿＿＿ i-sseo-yo]
The student is sitting on a chair. 🪑
Answer
앉아 [an-ja] — position state from -아/어 있다.
🎬
Vocabulary Box
  • -고 있다 [-go it-tta] → action in progress
  • -아/어 있다 [-a/eo it-tta] → result state
  • 문 [mun] → door
  • 불 [bul] → light
  • 책 [chaek] → book
  • 책상 [chaek-ssang] → desk
  • 위 [wi] → top / above
  • 글 [geul] → writing / text
  • 사진 [sa-jin] → photo
  • 벽 [byeok] → wall
  • 친구 [chin-gu] → friend
  • 학생 [hak-ssaeng] → student
  • 의자 [ui-ja] → chair
  • 열리다 [yeol-li-da] → to be opened
  • 꺼지다 [kkeo-ji-da] → to be turned off
  • 읽다 [ik-tta] → to read
  • 놓이다 [no-i-da] → to be placed
  • 쓰다 [sseu-da] → to write
  • 붙다 [but-tta] → to stick / attach
  • 기다리다 [gi-da-ri-da] → to wait
  • 앉다 [an-tta] → to sit
Tip 💡 Action rolling now? Use -고 있다. Result already true? Use -아/어 있다.
 

Exercise 5 — Mixed Mastery + Pitfall Patrol 🛡️

A. ❌ 밥을 먹어고 있어요. → ✅ 밥을 ＿＿＿＿고 있어요.
[ba-beul ＿＿＿＿ go i-sseo-yo]
I am eating a meal. 🍚
Answer
먹 [meok] — do not use 먹어; attach 고 directly to the stem.
B. ❌ 한국어를 공부하다고 있어요. → ✅ 한국어를 ＿＿＿＿고 있어요.
[han-gu-geo-reul ＿＿＿＿ go i-sseo-yo]
I am studying Korean. 📘
Answer
공부하 [gong-bu-ha] — remove dictionary 다: 공부하고 있어요.
C. ❌ 책을 읽어고 있어요. → ✅ 책을 ＿＿＿＿고 있어요.
[chae-geul ＿＿＿＿ go i-sseo-yo]
I am reading a book. 📚
Answer
읽 [ik] — 읽다 → 읽고 있어요; 읽고 sounds like [il-kko].
D. Which spacing is correct? 먹고있어요 / 먹고 있어요
[meok-kko-i-sseo-yo / meok-kko i-sseo-yo]
Choose the correct spacing. 🍚
Answer
먹고 있어요 [meok-kko i-sseo-yo] — write 있다 separately.
E. 물을 ＿＿＿＿고 있었어요.
[mu-reul ＿＿＿＿ go i-sseo-sseo-yo]
I was drinking water. 💧
Answer
마시 [ma-si] — past ongoing: 마시고 있었어요.
F. 영화를 ＿＿＿＿고 있을 거예요.
[yeong-hwa-reul ＿＿＿＿ go i-sseul geo-ye-yo]
I will be watching a movie. 🎬
Answer
보 [bo] — future ongoing: 보고 있을 거예요.
G. 집에서 ＿＿＿＿고 있어요.
[ji-be-seo ＿＿＿＿ go i-sseo-yo]
I am cooking at home. 🍳
Answer
요리하 [yo-ri-ha] — 요리하다 → 요리하고 있어요.
H. 친구와 ＿＿＿＿고 있어요.
[chin-gu-wa ＿＿＿＿ go i-sseo-yo]
I am talking with a friend. 🗣️
Answer
말하 [mal-ha] — 말하다 → 말하고 있어요.
I. 지금 ＿＿＿＿고 있어요.
[ji-geum ＿＿＿＿ go i-sseo-yo]
I am sleeping now. 😴
Answer
자 [ja] — 자다 → 자고 있어요.
J. 전화＿＿＿＿ 있었어요.
[jeon-hwa ＿＿＿＿ i-sseo-sseo-yo]
I was on the phone. 📞
Answer
하고 [ha-go] — 전화하다 → 전화하고 있었어요.
🛡️
Vocabulary Box
  • 밥 [bap] → meal / rice
  • 한국어 [han-gu-geo] → Korean language
  • 책 [chaek] → book
  • 물 [mul] → water
  • 영화 [yeong-hwa] → movie
  • 집 [jip] → home
  • 친구 [chin-gu] → friend
  • 지금 [ji-geum] → now
  • 전화 [jeon-hwa] → phone call
  • 먹다 [meok-tta] → to eat
  • 공부하다 [gong-bu-ha-da] → to study
  • 읽다 [ik-tta] → to read
  • 마시다 [ma-si-da] → to drink
  • 보다 [bo-da] → to watch / see
  • 요리하다 [yo-ri-ha-da] → to cook
  • 말하다 [mal-ha-da] → to speak
  • 자다 [ja-da] → to sleep
  • 전화하다 [jeon-hwa-ha-da] → to call
  • 있었어요 [i-sseo-sseo-yo] → was/were doing
  • 있을 거예요 [i-sseul geo-ye-yo] → will be doing
Tip 💡 Final check: stem + 고, separate 있다, and no 아/어 form.
 
🎉
Excellent work! You can now narrate Korean actions while they are happening: eating, reading, studying, waiting, calling, resting, and generally being the main character in an ongoing-action montage. 🏃🎬