What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 보고 있어요 means 'am watching'. It is composed of the verb '보다' (to see/watch) combined with the progressive form '-고 있다' (to be doing).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
There are several ways to express this depending on the level of formality required. A standard and formal way to say the phrase is 저는 텔레비전을 보고 있습니다, while 제가 지금 TV를 시청 중입니다 is a formal way to say 'I am watching TV right now'. For casual situations, 나는 TV를 보고 있어 is an informal way to say 'I am watching TV' and 지금 TV 보고 있어 is an informal way to say 'I am currently watching TV'.
How does it change in a sentence?
In formal written or spoken Korean, the object marker '를' is often added after 'TV' to make the sentence TV를 보고 있어요. Additionally, the polite present tense TV 봐요 can often be used to mean both 'I watch TV' (habitual) and 'I am watching TV' (current action) depending on context.
Did you know?
- If you are 'watching' a lecture or a class, you might use the verb 듣다 (to listen) instead of 보다 (to watch), even if you are looking at the teacher.
- The word 보고 can be a Sino-Korean word meaning 'treasury' or 'storehouse' of valuables, though it sounds identical to the word for 'watching'.
- In Korean, the verb 보다 (to see/watch) is used for a vast range of activities, from 'watching a movie' to 'looking at a person' or even 'passing an exam'.
Examples in context
- 저는 텔레비전을 보고 있습니다.I am watching TV.
- 제가 지금 TV를 시청 중입니다.I am watching TV right now.
- 지금 TV 보고 있어.I am currently watching TV.
- 지금 TV 보고 있어요.jigeum TV bogo isseoyo.I am watching TV now.
- 집에서 TV 보고 있어요.jibeseo TV bogo isseoyo.I am watching TV at home.
- 혼자 TV 보고 있어요.honja TV bogo isseoyo.I am watching TV alone.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo calls Subin to ask what she is doing.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo수빈 씨, 지금 뭐 해요?Subin ssi, jigeum mwo haeyo?Subin, what are you doing now?
- 수빈 Su-bin그냥 집에서 TV 보고 있어요.geunyang jibeseo TV bogo isseoyo.I am just watching TV at home.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo재미있는 프로그램이에요?jaemiinneun peurogeuraemieyo?Is it an interesting program?
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 아주 재미있어요.ne, aju jaemiisseoyo.Yes, it is very interesting.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 보고, CC BY-SA 4.0.
