LEARN + KOREAN / 101 of 125 TOPIK II
True, but I’m Working on It -기는 하다
a
Your study-abroad plans are moving, but the paperwork is taking time. You can acknowledge the part that is true, then explain the limit. -기는 하다 makes that concession; -는 중이다 tells us what is in progress.
Agree Up to a Point
Attach -기는 하다 to a verb or adjective stem: 가기는 해요, 좋기는 해요. It often leads into -지만 or -는데: 좋기는 하지만…. For a completed action use 신청하기는 했어요. The acknowledgement is real even when a reservation follows.
bijareul sincheonghagineun haenneunde ajik an nawasseoyo.
I have applied for the visa, but it hasn’t come through yet.
gisuksaga jopgineun hajiman gyotongi pyeollihaeyo.
The dormitory is small, but transport is convenient.
In the Middle of a Task
Verb stem + -는 중이다 marks an action or process in progress: 준비하는 중이에요, 고치는 중이에요. Action nouns can take 중이다 directly: 준비 중이에요, 회의 중이에요. Leave a space before 중.
jigeum seoryureul junbihaneun jungieyo.
I’m preparing the documents now.
eoneu hakgyoe galji gominhaneun jungieyo.
I’m thinking over which school to go to.
Hint · 힌트
-고 있어요 covers many ongoing actions. -는 중이에요 highlights being in the middle of a task or process, which makes it useful when explaining why you are occupied.
Vocabulary
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
bija | visa |
sincheonghada | to apply |
gisuksa | dormitory |
gyotong | transport |
pyeollihada | to be convenient |
gominhada | to think something over |
jiwonseo | application form |
sincheongseo | application form |
seoryu | documents |
yeogwon | passport |
sajin | photograph |
jagyeokjeung | certificate |
myeonjeop | interview |
yuhak | study abroad |
chwieop | employment |
joreop | graduation |
junbihada | to prepare |
jiwonhada | to apply for a position |
jechulhada | to submit |
hwaginhada | to check |
YOUR PROGRESS
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