What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 네가 (you – subject), 하고 있는 (doing – present progressive) and 것 (thing/fact).
Which one should you use?
While 네가 하고 있는 것 emphasizes the continuous nature of the action, you can also use 네가 하는 것 to mean "what you do" or "what you are doing". This version is often used to describe a general habit or an action that is slightly less emphasized as being continuous.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The specific form 네가 하고 있는 것 is informal because it uses the pronoun 네가, which is appropriate only for close friends or people younger than the speaker. In more formal or polite contexts, you should replace 네가 with a more respectful pronoun or omit the subject entirely if it is already clear. To describe an ongoing action in formal situations, you can add -고 있습니다 to a verb or use -을/를 하고 있습니다 with a noun. In informal settings, you can indicate a current action by adding -고 있어요 to a verb or using -을/를 하고 있어요 with a noun.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the present progressive modifier -고 있는 to indicate an ongoing action.
How do you pronounce it?
nega hago inneun geot
Did you know?
- Depending on the tone, the phrase 네가 하고 있는 것 can be used to imply that someone is doing something wrong or suspicious, rather than just asking about a neutral activity.
- When using the phrase with a person of higher social status, you cannot use the informal 네가 or even the standard 당신. Instead, you must replace the 'you' part with the person's specific title or position to remain polite.
- In historical texts like the 1447 'Seokbo sangjeol', the word 것 appeared in a different phonetic form known as 'kès'.
Examples in context
- 일하고 있습니다.I am working.
- 숙제를 하고 있습니다.I am doing homework.
- 밥 먹고 있어요.I am eating.
- 저는 지금 공부하고 있어요.I am studying now.
- 기차를 타고 있습니다.I am riding the train.
- 친구랑 영화를 보고 있어요.I am watching a movie with my friend.
- 네가 하고 있는 것이 궁금해.nega hago inneun geosi gunggeumhae.I am curious about what you are doing.
- 지금 네가 하고 있는 것은 뭐야?jigeum nega hago inneun geoseun mwoya?What is it that you are doing right now?
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Min-jun are studying together in a library.
- 지은 Ji-eun민준아, 네가 하고 있는 것이 뭐야?Minjun-a, nega hago inneun geosi mwoya?Min-jun, what are you doing?
- 민준 Min-jun수학 숙제를 하고 있어.suhak sukje-reul hago isseo.I am doing my math homework.
- 지은 Ji-eun네가 하고 있는 것 좀 보여줘.nega hago inneun geot jom boyeojwo.Show me what you are doing.
- 민준 Min-jun여기 봐, 정말 어려워.yeogi bwa, jeongmal eoryeowo.Look here, it is really hard.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 것, CC BY-SA 4.0.
