What does 생각하고 있어 mean?
생각하고 있어 means "am thinking about it" in Korean.
How it works here
‘-고 있다’ is added to ‘생각하다’ to indicate that the speaker is currently in that state of thinking. Here, ‘생각하고 있어’ refers to a thought that is ongoing now.
Key expression
-고 있다
Indicates that someone is currently in the state of having a particular thought.
It attaches to a verb to form a progressive expression, indicating that the action or mental activity is continuing at the time of speaking. It can naturally be used with mental activities such as ‘생각하다’. In declarative sentences it appears as ‘-고 있다’, and in 해요체 as ‘-고 있어요’.
When it's used
Use this when stating an opinion or judgment and emphasizing that the thought is still being maintained now.
The line
나도 그렇게 생각하고 있어
I think so too.
This is said when expressing one’s position and showing agreement with the other person.
Scene from “Run BTS! 2022 Special Episode - Telepathy Part 2” · Channel: BANGTANTV Watch on YouTube
More examples
지금 자료를 정리하고 있어요.
I’m organizing the materials now.
나는 네 말을 계속 기다리고 있었다.
I was waiting for your words the whole time.
Quick check
When would you use this expression?
생각하고 있어
나도 그렇게 생각하고 있어
I think so too.
- A situation in which someone is surprised because a thought has just occurred to them.
- A situation in which someone agrees with a friend and says they currently think that way.
- A situation in which someone is not thinking at all and is doing something else.
Show the answer
A situation in which someone agrees with a friend and says they currently think that way.
Indicates that someone is currently in the state of having a particular thought. It attaches to a verb to form a progressive expression, indicating that the action or mental activity is continuing at the time of speaking. It can naturally be used with mental activities such as ‘생각하다’. In declarative sentences it appears as ‘-고 있다’, and in 해요체 as ‘-고 있어요’.
Other words in this line
- 나
- I; me
- 그렇게
- Like that; that way
- 생각하다
- To think
- 있다
- To be; to exist
Same expression in other scenes
- 듣고 있어 — I’m listening; I’m in the middle of listening.
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