What does it mean word for word?
The default form 저는 한국어를 공부하고 있어요 breaks down into 저 (I) + 는 (topic marker) + 한국어 (Korean) + 를 (object marker) + 공부하고 (studying) + 있어요 (am).
Which one should you use?
While 공부하고 있어요 emphasizes the continuous action of studying right now, the simpler 공부해요 is used to state the general fact that you study Korean.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 저는 한국어를 공부하고 있어요 uses the polite ending -어요, making it appropriate for speaking to strangers, teachers or colleagues. For very formal settings, you can use 한국어를 공부하고 있습니다 or 한국어 공부 중입니다.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 한국어를, the particle 를 must be attached to 한국어 to indicate that Korean is the object being studied. Additionally, the term 난 is an abbreviation of 나는 (I).
How do you pronounce it?
jeoneun hangugeoreul gongbuhago isseoyo
Did you know?
- While 공부 means 'study', the character 부 (簿) originally referred to a 'ledger' or 'account book'. This reveals that studying was historically viewed as the act of recording and maintaining official records.
- Korean has a specific word, 열공 (yeol-gong), which is a slang abbreviation of 열심히 공부하다. Students often use this short term on social media to say they are 'studying hard'.
- The word 한국어 (Korean language) is distinct from 한국말 (Korean speech). While 한국어 is the formal term for the language as a system of study, 한국말 is more commonly used when talking about speaking the language in daily life.
Examples in context
- 요즘 저는 한국어를 공부하고 있어요.yojeum jeoneun hangugeoreul gongbuhago isseoyo.I am studying Korean these days.
Example conversation
Two acquaintances are talking about their current activities.
- 지은 Ji-eun요즘 뭐 하세요?yojum mwo haseyo?What are you doing these days?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo저는 한국어를 공부하고 있어요.jeoneun hangugeoreul gongbuhago isseoyo.I am studying Korean.
- 지은 Ji-eun정말요? 멋지네요!jeongmallyo? meotjineyo!Really? That's cool!
- 현우 Hyeon-woo감사합니다. 조금 어려워요.gamsahamnida. jogeum eoryeowoyo.Thank you. It's a bit difficult.
