Korean Progressive Verbs – How to Use ~고 있다

In Korean, the expression ~고 있다 is used to describe actions that are in progress—similar to the present continuous tense in English, like “I am eating” or “She is studying.” It’s a foundational part of everyday speech, so understanding this pattern will help you express what's happening right now. 🕒

 

Whether you're watching a K-drama or texting your Korean friend, you'll hear and use ~고 있다 all the time. It's a simple structure once you learn how to attach it, and you can apply it to almost every verb without exceptions.

I remember when I first learned “보고 있어요” meant “I am watching”—I suddenly recognized it in dramas everywhere! From that moment, I realized how important progressive verbs are to sounding natural in Korean. 💡

🔄 Let’s get started! The next section will explain the meaning and role of ~고 있다 in Korean grammar.

🧠 What Does ~고 있다 Mean?

In Korean, the structure ~고 있다 is used to describe an action that is currently in progress. It’s the equivalent of the English present continuous tense, like “I am eating,” “He is running,” or “They are studying.” This form adds the sense of **"ongoing"** or **"right now"** to your verbs.

 

The structure is made up of two parts: the verb stem + 고 (a connector that means “and” or continues an action), followed by 있다 (to exist or to be doing something). Combined, it expresses a state of currently doing something.

 

For example, the verb 보다 (to watch) becomes 보고 있다, which means “to be watching.” Add politeness level endings like 요 to make it into 보고 있어요 – “I am watching.” It’s that simple!

 

Let’s break it down with a common example: 먹다 (to eat) → 먹고 있다 → 먹고 있어요 → “I am eating.” This is much more natural than just saying “먹어요” when you're currently chewing. 😋

 

You can use this form with almost all action verbs. Whether it’s 공부하다 (to study), 일하다 (to work), or 운동하다 (to exercise), just remove the “다” from the verb and attach 고 있다.

 

So when do we use ~고 있다? Think about times when you're doing something “right now” or in a process. Korean speakers use this structure constantly in daily life, so getting comfortable with it early is essential for fluency.

 

One cool feature of this form is that it can be used in the present, past, and even future contexts—although it’s most often used in the present tense. You’ll also hear it in texts, phone calls, and media.

 

Let’s summarize the idea: Verb stem + 고 있다 = an action that is happening right now. Add 요 for politeness, and you’re speaking like a native. 🗣️

🧾 ~고 있다 Structure Breakdown

Verb	Stem	고 있다 Form	Meaning
가다 (to go)	가	가고 있다	am/are going
보다 (to watch)	보	보고 있다	am/are watching
먹다 (to eat)	먹	먹고 있다	am/are eating

 

Awesome! 🎉 Now that you know what it means and how it works, let’s move on to how to conjugate it correctly in polite present tense.

 

🔧 How to Conjugate Verbs with ~고 있다

Conjugating Korean verbs into the ~고 있다 form is actually very simple! You only need to know the verb stem and how to apply polite or casual endings. There are no irregular rules to worry about—this structure works with nearly every verb. 😄

 

To create a sentence in the present progressive (e.g., “I am eating”), follow this formula: Verb stem + 고 있다 + 요 (for politeness)

 

Let’s take a basic verb like 가다 (to go): Remove 다 → 가 → attach 고 있다 → 가고 있다 Add polite 요 → 가고 있어요 Result: “I am going.” Easy, right?

 

Here’s a full example in a sentence: 저는 지금 집에 가고 있어요. → “I’m going home now.” Notice how “지금” (now) fits naturally with ~고 있어요 because it expresses the current moment.

 

This structure is also used in casual and formal levels of speech. 🔹 Casual: 가고 있어 (used with friends) 🔹 Polite: 가고 있어요 (most common) 🔹 Formal: 가고 있습니다 (in announcements or presentations)

 

Let’s look at a few more verbs and see how they behave when conjugated into the progressive form. Try saying each one aloud to get used to the rhythm!

 

Once you're confident with the present tense, you can explore past progressive too. For example, 먹고 있었어요 = “I was eating.” Just change 있다 to its past form 있었어요!

 

Let’s summarize everything in the table below for quick review and pronunciation practice. 🎤

🧩 ~고 있다 Conjugation Table

Verb	Meaning	Polite Present	Polite Past	Casual
가다	to go	가고 있어요	가고 있었어요	가고 있어
먹다	to eat	먹고 있어요	먹고 있었어요	먹고 있어
읽다	to read	읽고 있어요	읽고 있었어요	읽고 있어
공부하다	to study	공부하고 있어요	공부하고 있었어요	공부하고 있어

 

💬 Common Examples of ~고 있다

You've learned how to conjugate verbs with ~고 있다, and now it's time to see how they work in actual Korean sentences! This form is used constantly in real conversations, whether you're chatting with a friend, texting, or watching Korean dramas. 🎥

 

In this section, you’ll find useful example sentences that reflect real situations. Read each sentence aloud, check its meaning, and try replacing the nouns or verbs with your own to build confidence.

 

Remember: context matters. The sentence “가고 있어요” can mean “I’m going” or “(He/she/they) are going” depending on who the subject is. Korean often drops subjects when they’re clear from context.

 

Let’s go over a variety of sentences using different verbs, including daily routines, hobbies, work, and casual conversations. All of these follow the same ~고 있다 structure, so once you’ve mastered one, you’ve mastered them all. 💪

 

🗣️ Everyday Korean Sentences Using ~고 있다

Korean Sentence	English Translation	Verb Used
저는 아침을 먹고 있어요	I’m eating breakfast	먹다
지금 친구를 기다리고 있어요	I’m waiting for a friend right now	기다리다
음악을 듣고 있어요	I’m listening to music	듣다
TV를 보고 있어요	I’m watching TV	보다
지금 공부하고 있어요	I’m studying now	공부하다
아이들이 놀고 있어요	The kids are playing	놀다
비가 오고 있어요	It’s raining	오다
운전하고 있어요	I’m driving	운전하다

 

Try using these in your own daily life! Replace the noun or verb: 예) 책을 읽고 있어요 → 영화를 보고 있어요 → Simple switches like this help you learn dynamically! 🎯

 

🧐 Nuances: Present Continuous vs. Progressive

At first glance, ~고 있다 looks just like the English present continuous tense (“I am eating”), but Korean adds a bit more flavor and nuance. Understanding how Korean speakers actually use this form will help you sound more natural and avoid common translation mistakes.

 

In English, “I eat” and “I am eating” are distinct. One is a general habit, and the other is an action happening now. In Korean, the difference between 먹어요 and 먹고 있어요 follows a similar logic, but the lines can blur depending on context.

 

Let’s take this example: “지금 뭐 해요?” → “What are you doing now?” You’d typically answer with ~고 있어요: “영화 보고 있어요” → “I’m watching a movie.”

 

However, in some casual situations, a simple verb like 가요 (I go / I’m going) is enough to convey the present progressive meaning—especially when time is already obvious in context. Korean often favors brevity. 😌

 

Also, while English sometimes uses continuous tense for near-future actions (“I’m meeting him tomorrow”), Korean doesn’t. 🛑 Don’t say: 내일 만나요 → X 내일 만나고 있어요 ✅ Say: 내일 만날 거예요 (I will meet tomorrow)

 

Another nuance: ~고 있다 can also emphasize that an action is really happening now, especially when it might not be obvious. Like: “지금 전화하고 있어요!” → “I’m on the phone right now!” (as in: “Can’t talk!”)

 

The bottom line is: Korean uses ~고 있다 mostly the way English uses “-ing” verbs, but not 100% of the time. Always consider context, intent, and tone. Korean tends to omit what’s already understood.

 

Let’s put this nuance into a comparison table so you can see the real differences between English and Korean uses. 📊

📘 Korean vs. English Usage of ~고 있다

Situation	English Usage	Korean Usage	Tip
Current action	I’m eating	먹고 있어요	Most natural usage
Habitual action	I eat lunch at noon	점심을 12시에 먹어요	Use simple present
Near future	I’m meeting her tomorrow	내일 만날 거예요	Use future tense
Casual spoken tone	I’m going now	지금 가요	고 있다 optional

 

Cool, right? 🤓 Learning these subtle differences will really help you “feel” the language better, not just translate it. You're building intuition like a native.

🗯️ Spoken Shortcuts & Contractions

Korean speakers love to speak fast and smooth—just like in any language. That means when using ~고 있다 in real-life conversations, it often gets shortened or pronounced differently from how it looks in textbooks. Learning these spoken shortcuts helps you sound more fluent and natural. 🗣️

 

The most common contraction is 고 있어요 → 있어요 → 있어요 → 써요. In rapid speech, “보고 있어요” might sound more like “보고써요.” The “고 이” part blends together, especially in casual conversations.

 

Here’s a breakdown of how ~고 있다 typically contracts in each speech level:

• Polite: ~고 있어요 → “고써요” or “꼬써요” (heavily contracted in speech)
• Casual: ~고 있어 → “고써” or just “써” (depending on speed)
• Formal: ~고 있습니다 → Not usually contracted, used in writing or announcements

 

For example: 📌 Original: 일하고 있어요 (I’m working) 📌 Spoken: 일하꼬써요 / 일하써요 (natural speech blend)

 

Let’s look at more real-world cases where contractions appear in daily Korean. These are taken from casual chats, dramas, and conversations with friends or coworkers. 😊

🗣️ Common ~고 있다 Contractions in Speech

Full Form	Contracted Form	Situation	Register
보고 있어요	보꼬써요 / 보써요	Watching TV, phone	Casual / Polite speech
공부하고 있어요	공부하꼬써요	Studying at library	Friends, texting
일하고 있어요	일하써요 / 일하꼬써요	At work, office	Phone calls
운전하고 있어요	운전하꼬써요	Driving, can't answer	Real-time excuse

 

Tip: These contractions aren’t written in formal writing (like news articles or essays), but they’re totally normal in texts, chats, voice messages, or speech. Listening to Korean audio helps you recognize them naturally.

 

📚 Practice Tips to Master ~고 있다

You’ve learned the meaning, conjugation, usage, and even native contractions of ~고 있다 — now it’s time to practice like a pro! Mastery doesn’t come from just reading grammar; it comes from actively using it every day. Here are fun and effective ways to make this structure part of your natural Korean. 💪

 

📝 1. Write a Daily Diary Entry Each evening, write 3 sentences in Korean about what you’re doing right now or what you did earlier. 예) 지금 유튜브 보고 있어요. 친구랑 이야기하고 있어요. This daily habit will help reinforce the structure naturally.

 

🎧 2. Listen and Repeat Watch K-dramas or YouTube videos and pause when someone uses ~고 있어요. Repeat the sentence aloud with the same rhythm and tone. Mimicking real speech improves fluency and listening skills.

 

📲 3. Use Language Apps with Voice Recognition Apps like Duolingo, HelloTalk, or Tandem allow you to speak into your phone. Try recording full sentences like “지금 뭐 하고 있어요?” and “커피 마시고 있어요.” Speaking regularly is key to muscle memory. 🧠

 

🧠 4. Flashcards with Verbs Make flashcards with basic verbs on one side and their ~고 있다 form on the other. Test yourself: Can you turn 듣다 into 듣고 있어요? What about 쓰다, 보다, 운동하다?

 

👫 5. Practice with Friends If you’re in a Korean class or language exchange, challenge each other to say what you're doing at the moment. 예) 지금 뭐 하고 있어요? 답: 사진 찍고 있어요!

 

📷 6. Caption Real Life As you're doing something, say it out loud in Korean. “나는 지금 걷고 있어요.”, “나는 물 마시고 있어요.” Turn your day-to-day actions into live Korean narration. It really helps. 💬

 

🔥 7. Use Timers for Speaking Drills Set a 3-minute timer and try to speak only in ~고 있다 sentences. 예) “저는 지금 말하고 있어요. 컴퓨터 앞에 앉아 있어요.” Repeat every day and track your improvement!

 

✅ Quick Recap: ~고 있다 Practice Plan

Method	What To Do	Why It Works
Diary Writing	Write 3 ~고 있다 sentences daily	Builds grammar + reflection
Listening Repeats	Repeat audio clips using ~고 있다	Improves pronunciation
Language Apps	Use speech tools daily	Builds speaking confidence
Peer Speaking	Ask & answer live questions	Builds reaction speed
Life Narration	Describe real-time actions aloud	Turns daily life into study

 

🎉 Great job sticking with it! You’ve almost completed the full breakdown of ~고 있다. Now it’s time for a super useful FAQ that covers real learner questions — with clear answers to help you avoid mistakes and sound more natural.

❓ FAQ

Q1. What’s the difference between ~고 있다 and just the present tense like 가요?

 

A1. ~고 있다 focuses on the action happening right now, like “I’m going.” Meanwhile, 가요 can mean either “I go” or “I’m going” depending on context. Use ~고 있다 when you want to emphasize that the action is currently in progress.

 

Q2. Can I use ~고 있다 with all verbs?

 

A2. Almost all action verbs can be used with ~고 있다. However, some state verbs (like 알다 = to know, or 좋다 = to like) don’t typically appear in progressive form because they describe conditions, not actions.

 

Q3. How do I use ~고 있다 in the past tense?

 

A3. Just change 있다 to 있었어요. For example: 보다 → 보고 있었어요 = “I was watching.” This is great for storytelling or describing past situations in detail.

 

Q4. Is ~고 있다 used in written Korean too?

 

A4. Yes, it’s used in informal writing like blogs, social media, and scripts. But in formal writing (essays, reports), it’s more common to use simple present or past forms unless you're quoting direct speech.

 

Q5. Can ~고 있다 be used in commands?

 

A5. Not really. For commands, you’d normally just use the base verb form. Instead of saying “먹고 있어요!” to tell someone to eat, you’d say “먹어요!” (Eat!). Progressive forms describe actions, not give instructions.

 

Q6. What are some common errors learners make with ~고 있다?

 

A6. Learners often overuse it when simple present is enough. Also, using it with verbs like “좋다” or “있다” is incorrect. Stick to action verbs like 보다, 먹다, 읽다, etc. for best results.

 

Q7. How can I hear ~고 있다 used naturally?

 

A7. Watch Korean dramas, variety shows, or listen to K-pop lyrics and podcasts. This form comes up constantly. When you hear it, pause and repeat the phrase out loud to build speaking muscle!

 

Q8. Can I use ~고 있다 to describe someone else's action?

 

A8. Definitely! Korean doesn’t require a subject if it’s clear, but you can always specify. 예) “철수가 지금 공부하고 있어요.” = “Chulsoo is studying right now.” It works for all persons and pronouns. 🙌

 

⚠️ Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes and is based on commonly accepted Korean grammar usage. It is not a substitute for formal language instruction or certification. Please consult native speakers or trusted language resources when unsure.