공부하고 있어요
gongbuhago isseoyo
In Korean, i am studying is expressed as 공부하고 있어요 (gongbuhago isseoyo).
This phrase is used to describe an ongoing action or a current state of being engaged in study.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 공부하고 있어요 is composed of 공부하다 (to study), the progressive marker -고 있다 (to be doing) and the polite ending -어요.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase can be shortened to 공부하고 있어 when speaking to someone of equal or lower social status. To change the meaning to the past tense, 'I was studying', you change the final verb to the past tense form 있었어요, resulting in 공부하고 있었어요.
How do you pronounce it?
gongbuhago isseoyo
Did you know?
- The word 공부 (gongbu) comes from Chinese characters meaning 'work' and 'effort'. Historically, it referred to the effort put into official government service or military training rather than just reading books.
- In South Korea, the act of 공부 (studying) is so closely tied to exams that if you say 공부하고 있어요, listeners often assume you are preparing for a specific certification or test rather than learning for pleasure.
- If you are texting friends about your intense study sessions, you might use the slang term 열공 (yeolgong). This is a trendy contraction of 'studying hard' that is much more common in digital communication than the formal 공부하고 있어요.
Examples in context
- 나는 공부하고 있어. 한국어 실력을 향상시키고 싶어.I am studying. I want to improve my Korean skills.
- 지금 한국어를 공부하고 있어요.jigeum hangugeoreul gongbu-hago isseoyo.I am studying Korean now.
- 도서관에서 수학을 공부하고 있어요.doseogwan-eseo suhageul gongbu-hago isseoyo.I am studying math at the library.
- 시험을 위해서 열심히 공부하고 있어요.siheomeul wihaeseo yeolsimhi gongbu-hago isseoyo.I am studying hard for the exam.
Example conversation
Subin calls Minjun to ask what he is doing.
- 수빈 Su-bin민준 씨, 지금 뭐 하고 있어요?Minjun ssi, jigeum mwo hago isseoyo?Minjun, what are you doing now?
- 민준 Min-jun집에서 영어 공부하고 있어요.jib-eseo yeong-eo gongbu-hago isseoyo.I am studying English at home.
- 수빈 Su-bin정말 열심히 공부하네요!jeongmal yeolsimhi gongbu-haneyo!You are studying really hard!
- 민준 Min-jun네, 시험이 곧 있어요.ne, siheomi got isseoyo.Yes, the exam is coming soon.
