Easy Korean - Level 6, Unit 5: I am in the middle of... (-는 중이에요)

You already know that you can use -고 있어요 to say "I am doing [action]" (present progressive).

In this unit, we will learn another way to say this: -는 중이에요. This specifically emphasizes that you are in the middle of doing something right now, often as a reason why you can't do something else.

What is 중 (jung)?

중 (中) is a Chinese character meaning "middle" or "center."

1. Verb + -는 중이다

To use it with a verb, attach -는 중이다. (In polite speech, it becomes -는 중이에요 or -는 중입니다).

• 가다 (to go) -> 가는 중이에요 (I am in the middle of going / I am on my way)
• 일하다 (to work) -> 일하는 중이에요 (I am in the middle of working)
• 생각하다 (to think) -> 생각하는 중이에요 (I am in the middle of thinking)

2. Noun + 중이다

Many "하다" verbs are made of a Noun + 하다 (like 공부 + 하다). With these nouns, you can drop the '하다' and '는' entirely and just attach 중이다 directly to the noun!

• 공부하다 -> 공부 중이에요 (I am in the middle of studying)
• 회의하다 -> 회의 중이에요 (I am in the middle of a meeting)
• 통화하다 -> 통화 중이에요 (They are on the phone / the line is busy)
• 공사하다 -> 공사 중 (Under construction - seen on signs)

-고 있어요 vs. -는 중이에요

• 뭐 하고 있어요? (What are you doing? - General question)
• 지금 밥 먹는 중이에요. (I am right in the middle of eating. - Emphasizes the process right now).

Example Sentences

1. 지금 집에 가는 중이에요. (I am on my way home right now.)
2. 사장님은 지금 회의 중입니다. (The boss is in a meeting right now.)
3. A: 지금 통화할 수 있어요? (Can you talk on the phone now?) B: 죄송해요. 지금 일하는 중이에요. (Sorry, I'm in the middle of working.)