Language/Korean/Grammar/Progressive-Tense

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Korean Grammar → Verb Tenses → Progressive Tense

As a beginner in learning Korean language, you might have got a hang of using different verb tenses, such as past tense and future tense. But what about actions that are ongoing? In this lesson, we will learn how to form and use the progressive tense in Korean, also known as the continuous tense. This tense is formed by combining a verb stem and the verb "고 있다" (go itda), which means "to be doing".


Consider broadening your understanding by checking out these related lessons: Korean Pronunciation & Plurals.

Forming Progressive Tense Verbs[edit | edit source]

To form the progressive tense, we simply add "고 있다" (go itda). For example:

  • 가다 (gada) - to go
 * 가 + 고 있다 = 가고 있다 (gago itda) - to be going
  • 먹다 (meokda) - to eat
 * 먹 + 고 있다 = 먹고 있다 (meokgo itda) - to be eating
  • 사다 (sada) - to buy
 * 사 + 고 있다 = 사고 있다 (sago itda) - to be buying
  • 쓰다 (sseuda) - to write, to use, to put on (a cap, a hat, or glasses)
 * 쓰 + 고 있다 = 쓰고 있다 (sseugo itda) - to be writing,  to be using, to be putting on (a cap, a hat, or glasses)

Using Progressive Tense in Sentences[edit | edit source]

Once you have formed the progressive tense verbs, you can use them in sentences to describe ongoing actions. Here are some examples:

  • 저는 책을 읽고 있어요. (Jeoneun chaekeul ilggo isseoyo.) - I am reading a book.
  • 지금 밥을 먹고 있어요. (Jigeum bab-eul meokgo isseoyo.) - I am eating lunch now.
  • 그들은 영화를 보고 있어요. (Geudeureun yeonghwaleul bogo isseoyo.) - They are watching a movie.

Notice that the subject marker "은/는" (eun/neun) is added after the subject, and the object marker "을/를" (eul/reul) is added after the object. Then, the progressive tense verb is added after the object marker.

Exceptions[edit | edit source]

There are some cases where the progressive tense is not used, such as when talking about habitual actions or actions that take only a short time to complete. In those cases, we use the simple present tense instead.

Summary[edit | edit source]

Congratulations! Now you know how to form and use the progressive tense in Korean! You have learned how to find the verb stem and add "고 있다" to form this tense. You also learned about irregular verbs and when to use the simple present tense instead of the progressive tense. Keep practicing to get more comfortable using this tense in your day-to-day conversations.

Sources[edit | edit source]

Table of Contents - Korean Course - 0 to A1[edit source]


Korean Alphabets


Greetings and Introductions


Korean Culture and Customs


Sentence Building


Daily Routine


Korean Pop Culture


Describing People and Things


Food and Drinks


Korean Traditions


Verb Tenses


Travel and Sightseeing


Korean Arts and Crafts


Conjunctions and Connectors


Health and Body


Korean Nature

Videos[edit | edit source]

Korean Grammar - Present Progressive Tense - YouTube[edit | edit source]

Present Progressive in Korean (verb + ing : -는 중이에요) - YouTube[edit | edit source]

Other Lessons[edit | edit source]


◀️ Future Tense — Previous Lesson Next Lesson — Travel Vocabulary ▶️

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