Middle School - Grade 7
Lesson 9: "In the middle of..."
-는 중 / Noun + 중
What's Happening Right Now?
This grammar point is perfect for telling someone what you are *currently* doing, or what is *in progress*.
**중** (jung) literally means "middle."
• Noun + 중 = "in the middle of [Noun]" (e.g., "in the middle of a meeting")
• Verb + -는 중 = "in the middle of [Verb]-ing" (e.g., "in the middle of driving")
The Conjugation Rules
This grammar attaches to action verbs and nouns.
Action Verb Stems
... + 는 중
운전하다 운전하는 중
"In the middle of driving..."
가다 가는 중
"In the middle of going..."
Nouns
... + 중
회의 회의중
"In the middle of a meeting..."
수업 수업중
"In the middle of class..."
Examples in Action
WITH A NOUN
지금 회의중이에요.
I'm in a meeting right now.
(Note: Noun+중 is often written as one word)
WITH A VERB
지금 운전하는 중이라서 전화를 못 받아요.
I'm in the middle of driving right now, so I can't answer the phone.
COMMON QUESTION
A: 지금 뭐 해요?
B: 밥 먹는 중이에요.
A: What are you doing now?
B: I'm in the middle of eating.
Coming Up Next...
You're doing great! You've learned how to give simple reasons with `-아/어서`. Next, you'll learn a *different* way to say "because" that is used when giving commands or suggestions.