What it means
The Korean progressive tense — used to say you are currently in the middle of doing something. Similar to the English "-ing" form.
Nuance & when to use
가고 있어요 = I'm going (right now). 먹고 있어요 = I'm eating. Very common in K-drama dialogue. Also used for ongoing states: 생각하고 있어요 = I'm thinking about it (ongoing consideration).
⚠ Common mistake
Don't use -고 있다 for instantaneous actions: NOT 죽고 있어요 (X). For states that result from action: -아/어 있다 is used instead: 앉아 있어요 (I'm sitting — the state of having sat down).
Example sentences
See also
FAQ
When is this used?
가고 있어요 = I'm going (right now). 먹고 있어요 = I'm eating. Very common in K-drama dialogue. Also used for ongoing states: 생각하고 있어요 = I'm thinking about it (ongoing consideration).
What's a common mistake?
Don't use -고 있다 for instantaneous actions: NOT 죽고 있어요 (X). For states that result from action: -아/어 있다 is used instead: 앉아 있어요 (I'm sitting — the state of having sat down).
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