What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "now go" (using the polite form of the verb 가다).
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between moving toward the listener and moving toward a speaker's location. 지금 가요 is used to mean "I am coming" (on my way to you), whereas 지금 와요 literally means "I am coming" (moving toward the speaker's current location or a third party).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
지금 가요 uses the polite ending -요, making it suitable for speaking to acquaintances, colleagues or people older than you.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express this informally to a close friend or someone younger, you can drop the 요 to say 지금 가.
How do you pronounce it?
jigeum gayo
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the progressive form 지금 오고 있어요 (literally "I am in the middle of coming"). Although this is a literal translation of the English phrase, 지금 가요 is the more natural way to say you are on your way.
Did you know?
- The word 가요 in this phrase is written exactly like the Korean word for 'ballad' or 'folk song'.
- The word 지금 is a Sino-Korean term derived from the characters for 'only' and 'now'.
- Using the literal translation 오고 있어요 for 'I am coming' can sound like you are describing the physical act of walking rather than simply stating you are on your way.
Examples in context
- 지금 가요.I am coming.This sentence is useful for practicing saying "I am coming."Tatoeba #13174724 by atitarev, translation #65918 by CK
- 선생님이 오시면 여기에 앉으세요.Please have a seat here when the teacher comes.
- 지금 올 거야?Are you coming now?
- 현우 씨, 지금 가요?Hyeon-u ssi, jigeum gayo?Hyunwoo, are you coming now?
- 지은 씨가 지금 가요.Ji-eun ssi-ga jigeum gayo.Jieun is coming now.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo calls Jieun to check if she is on her way to their meeting.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo지은 씨, 어디예요? 지금 가요?Ji-eun ssi, eodi-ye-yo? Jigeum gayo?Jieun, where are you? Are you coming now?
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 지금 가요. 조금만 기다려 주세요.Ne, jigeum gayo. Jogeum-man gidaryeo juseyo.Yes, I'm coming now. Please wait just a little bit.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo알겠어요. 조심히 오세요.Al-get-seo-yo. Josim-hi o-se-yo.Okay. Come safely.
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 곧 도착해요.Ne, got dochak-hae-yo.Yes, I will arrive soon.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 가요, 지금, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
