3 · Tense and aspect
In the middle of: -는 중이다
the construction with 중, "middle"
A verb before the noun 중 (middle) says that something has started and is not yet finished: 회의하는 중이에요.
An action verb takes the present modifier -는 and is followed by the noun 중, "middle", and the copula: 먹는 중이에요, 가는 중이에요, 공부하는 중이에요. A stem ending in l loses it before -는: 만들다 → 만드는 중이에요. With a noun of action, 중 follows directly, separated by a space: 회의 중이에요, 수업 중이에요, 통화 중이에요.
The meaning is close to -고 있다, but -는 중이다 stresses that the activity has started and is not yet over — often as the reason why you cannot do something else right now. On the phone, 지금 운전하는 중이에요 means "I'm driving (so I can't talk)". It sounds matter-of-fact and is common on signs and in messages: 공사 중 (under construction), 회의 중 (in a meeting), 영업 중 (open, on a shop door).
It needs an activity with a beginning and an end. It does not combine with adjectives — you are busy, not "in the middle of being busy" — nor with verbs like 알다 or 좋아하다 that describe a state rather than an activity. And it does not describe what someone is wearing: 입고 있어요, not 입는 중이에요, unless you mean that they are getting dressed.
The tense goes on the copula: 가는 중이었어요, "I was on my way"; in formal speech 회의 중입니다. Before a clause of reason it becomes 중이라서 or 중이니까. Elsewhere 중 after a noun can also mean "during" or "among", as in 방학 중에 (during the holidays) and 이 중에서 (among these); this topic is only the "under way" use with the copula.
The form
| verb | 먹는 중이에요 |
| stem ending in l | 만드는 중이에요 |
| noun of action | 회의 중이에요 |
| past | 가는 중이었어요 |
| formal | 통화 중입니다 |
| on a sign | 공사 중 |
The rules one by one
The form this topic is aboutThe word that calls for it
An action verb takes -는, then 중이에요.
지금 숙제를 하는 중이에요.I am in the middle of my homework.
A noun of activity takes 중 directly, with a space.
부장님은 지금 회의 중이세요.The head of department is in a meeting right now.
It often explains why you cannot do something else at the moment.
미안해요, 지금 운전하는 중이라서 나중에 전화할게요.Sorry, I'm driving right now, so I'll call you later.
Put the copula in the past for something that was under way.
집에 가는 중이었어요.I was on my way home.
On signs and notices the copula is often left out.
가게 문에 "영업 중"이라고 쓰여 있어요.The sign on the shop door says "Open".
A closer look
Under way, or simply going on
공부하고 있어요 and 공부하는 중이에요 often translate the same, "I am studying". The difference is one of emphasis. -고 있다 describes what is going on; -는 중이다 places you inside an activity with a beginning and an end, which is why it so often comes with an excuse or an explanation: 지금 밥 먹는 중이에요, "I'm eating right now (can I call you back?)".
It also suits processes that take a while and whose end is in view: 새 직장을 구하는 중이에요, "I am looking for a new job"; 이 소설은 아직 읽는 중이에요, "I am still reading this novel". For a habit, such as exercising every day, -고 있다 is the better choice.
Exceptions and special cases (1)
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the noun already names an activity — 회의, 수업, 통화, 공사, 식사
중 can follow the noun directly: 식사 중이에요 means the same as 식사하는 중이에요 and is shorter.
지금은 점심 식사 중이라서 두 시에 다시 오세요.We are on our lunch break, so please come back at two.
중 is itself a noun, so it can stand after another noun like any pair of nouns. This short form is the one used on signs, on screens and in polite messages.
How to spot it
- 지금
- 중
- 중이에요
- 중이라서
Example sentences
지금 저녁을 만드는 중이에요.I am making dinner right now.
선생님은 지금 수업 중이세요.The teacher is in class at the moment.
이사할 집을 찾는 중이에요.I am looking for a place to move to.
그 문제는 지금 회사에서 검토 중입니다.The company is looking into that matter at the moment.
친구한테 가는 중이었는데 비가 오기 시작했어요.I was on my way to a friend's when it started to rain.
다이어트 중이라서 케이크는 안 먹을게요.I'm on a diet, so I'll skip the cake.
7 more example sentences
아직 이메일을 쓰는 중이에요.I am still writing the email.
언니는 지금 샤워하는 중이에요.My sister is in the shower at the moment.
엘리베이터가 점검 중입니다. 계단을 이용해 주세요.The lift is being serviced. Please use the stairs.
저는 지금 회사에 가는 중이에요.I am on my way to work now.
그 영화는 지금 극장에서 상영 중이에요.That film is showing in cinemas now.
지금 생각하는 중이니까 조금만 기다려 주세요.I'm still thinking about it, so please wait a moment.
아이가 자는 중이라서 조용히 말해 주세요.The child is asleep, so please speak quietly.
Worth knowing (1)
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On doors and screens
Short notices drop the copula and leave only the noun and 중: 회의 중 on a meeting-room door, 통화 중 on a phone screen, 영업 중 on a shop that is open, 공사 중 on a building site. Read them as "in a meeting", "on a call", "open" and "under construction".
회의실 문에 "회의 중"이라고 쓰여 있어요.The meeting-room door says "In a meeting".
The trap English speakers fall into
Watch out
바쁘다 is an adjective, and an adjective has no middle: you are busy, not in the middle of being busy. Either say 바빠요, or name the activity that keeps you busy: 일하는 중이에요.
Neun jung-ieyo: started, not finished — and usually the reason you cannot do something else.
Your turn
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