쓰고 있어요
Sseugo isseoyo
The Korean phrase for "I am writing" is 쓰고 있어요 (Sseugo isseoyo).
This phrase is used to state that the speaker is currently in the process of writing something.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb stem 쓰 (to write), the connective -고 (indicating continuous action) and the auxiliary verb 있어요 (to be/exist), which together translate to "writing am doing".
Which one should you use?
While 쓰고 있어요 specifically emphasizes the ongoing process of writing right now, the form 써요 can mean both "I write" (habitual) and "I am writing" (present continuous).
How does it change in a sentence?
To change the level of politeness, the polite ending -어요 can be replaced with the formal -습니다 to become 쓰고 있습니다 in professional or respectful settings. Conversely, the polite ending -어요 can be dropped to create the casual form 쓰고 있어, which is used with close friends.
How do you pronounce it?
Sseugo isseoyo
Did you know?
- The word 쓰다 (the root of 'to write') is also used in Korean to describe wearing things on your head, like a hat. This creates a massive semantic gap between 'writing' and 'wearing'.
- The verb 쓰다 also means 'to be bitter'. While 쓰고 있어요 specifically refers to the action of writing or using, the root word is the same one used to describe the taste of dark chocolate or medicine.
- If you are writing a letter to someone older or of higher status, you would not use 쓰고 있어요 but instead use the humble verb 올리다 meaning 'to lift up' or 'to offer'.
Examples in context
- 문장을 쓰고 있어요.I am writing a sentence.This sentence is useful for showing how to use 쓰고 있어요 to say you are writing a sentence.Tatoeba #13184942 by atitarev, translation #3634680 by thegui
- 글을 정리하여 보고서를 작성하고 있습니다.I am organizing the text and writing a report
- 나는 오늘의 일기를 쓰고 있어.I am writing today's diary
- 지금 편지를 쓰고 있어요.jigeum pyeonjireul sseugo isseoyo.I am writing a letter right now.
- 일기를 쓰고 있어요.ilgireul sseugo isseoyo.I am writing a diary.
Example conversation
Dohyun asks Subin what she is doing at her desk.
- 도현 Do-hyeon수빈 씨, 지금 뭐 해요?Subin ssi, jigeum mwo haeyo?Subin, what are you doing right now?
- 수빈 Su-bin메모를 쓰고 있어요.Memoreul sseugo isseoyo.I am writing a memo.
- 도현 Do-hyeon무슨 메모를 써요?Museun memoreul sseoyo?What kind of memo are you writing?
- 수빈 Su-bin오늘 할 일을 쓰고 있어요.Oneul hal ireul sseugo isseoyo.I am writing down things to do today.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
