KOREAN LEVEL UP › Korean phrases › Introductions & meeting people › 한국어를 공부하고 있어요
“I’m studying Korean” in Korean: 한국어를 공부하고 있어요
한국어를 공부하고 있어요
hangugeoreul gongbuhago isseoyo
Meaning
I’m studying Korean.
Usage note
-고 있어요 means “in the middle of doing.” A classic line for learners introducing themselves.
Romanization follows the Revised Romanization system and is a guide to pronunciation.
How to pronounce it
In natural speech, sounds link and shift across words. The table below reads each word separately, as it sounds when said on its own.
| Syllable | Letters (consonant + vowel + final) | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| 한국어를 | ||
| 한 | ㅎ+ㅏ+ㄴ | han |
| 국 | ㄱ+ㅜ+ㄱ | [구] gu |
| 어 | ㅇ+ㅓ | [거] geo |
| 를 | ㄹ+ㅡ+ㄹ | reul |
| 공부하고 | ||
| 공 | ㄱ+ㅗ+ㅇ | gong |
| 부 | ㅂ+ㅜ | bu |
| 하 | ㅎ+ㅏ | ha |
| 고 | ㄱ+ㅗ | go |
| 있어요 | ||
| 있 | ㅇ+ㅣ+ㅆ | [이] i |
| 어 | ㅇ+ㅓ | [써] sseo |
| 요 | ㅇ+ㅛ | yo |
A ㅇ at the start of a syllable is silent; at the end of a syllable it sounds like “ng”.
Sound changes in this phrase
- Linking: when a syllable ending in a consonant (patchim) is followed by a syllable that starts with a vowel, the consonant moves over to the next syllable. 국어 → [구거]
Speech style
Ends in -요. The everyday polite style, and a safe choice with shop staff, colleagues, strangers and anyone older than you.
Words in this phrase
These words from the TOPIK vocabulary lists appear in the phrase (shown in dictionary form).
| Korean | Part of speech | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 있다 | verb | to exist, to have | TOPIK level 1 |
Phrases that use the same word
Phrases with “공부하고”
- 도서관에서 공부하고 있어요I’m studying at the library
Phrases with “한국어를”
- 학교에서 한국어를 배워요I study Korean at school
- 영상을 보면서 한국어를 공부해요I study Korean while watching videos
- 한국어를 조금만 해요I only speak a little Korean
- 한국어를 배운 지 얼마나 됐어요?How long have you been learning Korean
Quick self-check
Test yourself before you move on. Tap an answer.
Question 1 What does “한국어를 공부하고 있어요” mean?
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Answer: I’m studying Korean
Question 2 How do you say “I’m studying Korean” in Korean?
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Answer: 한국어를 공부하고 있어요 hangugeoreul gongbuhago isseoyo
Learn this phrase by playing: typing drills and quizzes help it stick.
Practice in the gameMore phrases for this situation
- 저는 외국에서 왔어요I came from abroad
- 한국어를 아직 잘 못해요I can’t speak Korean well yet
- 무슨 일을 하세요?What do you do for work
- 한국 음식 좋아하세요?Do you like Korean food
- 가족이 몇 명이에요?How many people are in your family
- 한국에는 처음 왔어요This is my first time in Korea
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