Verbs: Continuous Action

01

Formation

To form this structure, take the verb stem and attach -는 (-nŭn-neun-nŭn-nun), followed by 중이다 (jung·i·dajung·i·dajung·i·dacung·i·ta).

Verb Stem + 는 중이다 (nŭn jung·i·da)

This form emphasizes that an action is currently in progress at this very moment. It is often translated as "in the middle of [verb]-ing".

• 지금 집에 가는 중이에요.

  ji·gŭm jib·e ka·nŭn jung·i·e·yo.ji·geum jib·e ga·neun jung·i·e·yo.ji·gŭm jib·e ka·nŭn jung·i·e·yo.ci·kum cib·ey ka·nun cung·i·ey·yo.

  I am in the middle of going home now.

• 친구를 기다리는 중입니다.

  chin·gu·rŭl ki·da·ri·nŭn jung·im·ni·da.jin·gu·reul gi·da·ri·neun jung·im·ni·da.chin·gu·rŭl ki·da·ri·nŭn jung·im·ni·da.cin·ku·lul ki·ta·li·nun cung·im·ni·ta.

  I am in the middle of waiting for a friend.

• 무엇을 하는 중이니?

  mu·ŏs·ŭl ha·nŭn jung·i·ni?mu·eos·eul ha·neun jung·i·ni?mu·ŏs·ŭl ha·nŭn jung·i·ni?mu·es·ul ha·nun cung·i·ni?

  What are you in the middle of doing?

02

Difference from -고 있다 (-go it·da)

Learners often confuse -는 중이다 (-nŭn jung·i·da-neun jung·i·da-nŭn jung·i·da-nun cung·i·ta) with the standard continuous form -고 있다 (-go it·da-go it·da-go it·da-ko it·ta). While both translate to English "-ing", there are key differences:

1. Emphasis on Action

-고 있다 (-go it·da-go it·da-go it·da-ko it·ta) is a general statement that an action is happening. -는 중이다 (-nŭn jung·i·da-neun jung·i·da-nŭn jung·i·da-nun cung·i·ta) specifically highlights the immediate process. It sounds more active and temporary.

2. Action vs. Resulting State

For verbs related to wearing items (putting on clothes, hats, glasses), the difference is significant.

• -고 있다 (-go it·da-go it·da-go it·da-ko it·ta) indicates the state of wearing something (the item is already on your body).
• -는 중이다 (-nŭn jung·i·da-neun jung·i·da-nŭn jung·i·da-nun cung·i·ta) indicates the action of putting it on (the movement of dressing).

• 저는 안경을 쓰고 있어요.

  jŏ·nŭn an·gyŏng·ŭl ssŭ·go iss·ŏ·yo.jeo·neun an·gyeong·eul sseu·go iss·eo·yo.jŏ·nŭn an·gyŏng·ŭl ssŭ·go iss·ŏ·yo.ce·nun an·kyeng·ul ssu·ko iss·e·yo.

  I am wearing glasses. (State: they are on my face)

• 저는 안경을 쓰는 중이에요.

  jŏ·nŭn an·gyŏng·ŭl ssŭ·nŭn jung·i·e·yo.jeo·neun an·gyeong·eul sseu·neun jung·i·e·yo.jŏ·nŭn an·gyŏng·ŭl ssŭ·nŭn jung·i·e·yo.ce·nun an·kyeng·ul ssu·nun cung·i·ey·yo.

  I am putting on glasses. (Action: I am moving them to my face)

03

Using 중 (jung) with Nouns

Because 중 (jungjungjungcung) is a noun meaning "middle," it can be used directly after certain nouns that imply an activity, without needing a verb. This is very common in signs or formal notices.

• Noun + 중 (jungjungjungcung) (In the middle of [Noun])

• 사장님은 회의 중이세요.

  sa·jang·nim·ŭn hœ·ŭi jung·i·se·yo.sa·jang·nim·eun hoe·ui jung·i·se·yo.sa·jang·nim·ŭn hoe·ŭi jung·i·se·yo.sa·cang·nim·un hway·uy cung·i·sey·yo.

  The boss is in a meeting.

• 지금은 공사 중입니다.

  ji·gŭm·ŭn gong·sa jung·im·ni·da.ji·geum·eun gong·sa jung·im·ni·da.ji·gŭm·ŭn gong·sa jung·im·ni·da.ci·kum·un kong·sa cung·im·ni·ta.

  It is under construction now.

• 그녀는 통화 중이에요.

  kŭ·nyŏ·nŭn tʰong·hwa jung·i·e·yo.geu·nyeo·neun tong·hwa jung·i·e·yo.kŭ·nyŏ·nŭn t'ong·hwa jung·i·e·yo.ku·nye·nun thong·hwa cung·i·ey·yo.

  She is on the phone (in the middle of a call).

04

Past Tense

To say you "were in the middle of" doing something, conjugate the final 이다 (i·dai·dai·dai·ta) into the past tense 이었다 (i·ŏt·dai·eot·dai·ŏt·dai·et·ta) or 였습니다 (yŏss·sŭm·ni·dayeoss·seum·ni·dayŏss·sŭm·ni·dayess·sum·ni·ta).

• 샤워하는 중이었어요.

  sya·wŏ·ha·nŭn jung·i·ŏss·ŏ·yo.sya·wŏ·ha·neun jung·i·eoss·eo·yo.sya·wŏ·ha·nŭn jung·i·ŏss·ŏ·yo.sya·wŏ·ha·nun cung·i·ess·e·yo.

  I was in the middle of taking a shower.

• 밥을 먹는 중이었습니다.

  pab·ŭl mŏng·nŭn jung·i·ŏss·sŭm·ni·da.bab·eul meong·neun jung·i·eoss·seum·ni·da.pab·ŭl mŏng·nŭn jung·i·ŏss·sŭm·ni·da.pab·ul meng·nun cung·i·ess·sum·ni·ta.

  I was in the middle of eating a meal.