일하고 있어요
ilhago isseoyo
To say "I am working" in Korean, use 일하고 있어요 (ilhago isseoyo).
This phrase is used to make a statement that you are currently performing a job or a task.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb 일하다 (to work), the progressive marker –고 있다 (to be doing) and the polite ending –어요 (am/is/are).
Which one should you use?
While 일하고 있어요 emphasizes the continuous action of working right now, the phrase 일해요 (I work) can be used to describe a general state or habit of employment.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The variation 난 일하는 중이야. is used to emphasize the ongoing action of working.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form 일하고 있어요 uses the polite ending –어요. Dropping the –요 from the end of the phrase results in the informal/casual form 일하고 있어. In formal settings, using the subject pronoun '저' is considered more polite than '나'.
How do you pronounce it?
ilhago isseoyo
Did you know?
- When using 일하고 있어요, the subject 'I' is almost always omitted. Adding 'I' ('저는' or '나는') can actually make the sentence feel unnecessarily heavy or even slightly aggressive in a natural conversation.
- While 일하다 means 'to work', Koreans often use the word 열일 (short for '열심히 일하다') to describe working passionately or extremely hard, often used as a slang term on social media.
- In Korean, the word for 'work', 일, can also refer to a 'matter' or a 'case' in a legal or bureaucratic context. Therefore, saying you are 'doing work' can sometimes sound like you are 'handling a specific matter'.
Examples in context
- 사무실에서 일하고 있어요.I am working in my office.This sentence is useful for describing the location where you are working with 일하고 있어요.Tatoeba #13117173 by atitarev, translation #11109118 by Amastan
- 지금 집에서 일하고 있어요.jigeum jibeseo ilhago isseoyo.I am working from home now.
- 아직 카페에서 일하고 있어요.ajik kapeeseo ilhago isseoyo.I am still working at a cafe.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo calls Subin to see if she is free to talk.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo수빈 씨, 지금 통화 가능해요?Subin ssi, jigeum tonghwa ganeunghaeyo?Subin, can you talk right now?
- 수빈 Su-bin미안해요, 현우 씨. 저 지금 일하고 있어요.Mianhaeyo, Hyunwoo ssi. jeo jigeum ilhago isseoyo.I'm sorry, Hyunwoo. I am working right now.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo아, 그래요? 그럼 나중에 연락할게요.A, geuraeyo? geureom najunge yeollakhalgeyo.Oh, really? Then I will contact you later.
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 나중에 이야기해요.Ne, najunge iyagihaeyo.Yes, let's talk later.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
