고있다(go-iss-da, goissda)
Expresses that an action is currently in progress
When to use
Ongoing action, Temporary behavior, Continuous state
The nuance
Attach to verb stem to form present progressive tense, emphasizing ongoing action or state.
고있다 vs 아있다: Difference Between Progressive and Resultative States
고있다 (go-iss-da, goissda) · 아있다 (a-iss-da, aissda)
고있다 expresses ongoing action, while 아있다 indicates a resultant state, each with distinct usage and meaning.
Word-by-word breakdown
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
아있다(a-iss-da, aissda)
Expresses a resultant state remaining after an action is completed
When to use
Post-action state, Emphasizing result, Expressing changed condition
The nuance
Formed as verb stem + 아/어 + 있다, indicating a state that remains after the action is finished.
Real-world examples
나는 지금 밥을 먹고 있다.
na-neun ji-geum bap-eul meok-go iss-da., na neun ji geum bap eul meok go iss da.
The action of eating is ongoing, so 고있다 is correct.
나는 지금 밥을 먹아 있다.
na-neun ji-geum bap-eul meok-a iss-da., na neun ji geum bap eul meok a iss da.
아있다 expresses completed action state; using it with ‘now’ (지금) is unnatural.
창문이 열려 있다.
chang-mun-i yeol-ryeo iss-da., chang mun i yeol ryeo iss da.
The window remains open, so 아있다 correctly expresses the resultant state.
창문이 열리고 있다.
chang-mun-i yeol-ri-go iss-da., chang mun i yeol ri go iss da.
The window is currently opening, so 고있다 is appropriate.
나는 책을 읽고 있다.
na-neun chaek-eul ik-go iss-da., na neun chaek eul ik go iss da.
Reading is ongoing, so 고있다 is correct.
나는 책을 읽어 있다.
na-neun chaek-eul ik-eo iss-da., na neun chaek eul ik eo iss da.
읽다 is not typically used with 아있다 to express a resultant state; this is unnatural.
불이 켜져 있다.
bul-i kyeo-jyeo iss-da., bul i kyeo jyeo iss da.
The light remains on, so 아있다 correctly shows the resultant state.
불이 켜고 있다.
bul-i kyeo-go iss-da., bul i kyeo go iss da.
‘켜다’ is an active verb; 고있다 is not used to describe the state of the light being on.
Quick quiz
Which sentence expresses an ongoing action?
다음 중 현재 진행 중인 동작을 나타내는 문장은?(da-eumjunghyeon-jaejin-haengjung-indong-jak-eulna-ta-nae-neunmun-jang-eun?, daeumjunghyeonjaejinhaengjungindongjakeulnatanaeneunmunjangeun?)What does 아있다 mean in ‘창문이 열려 있다’?
‘창문이 열려 있다’ 문장에서 아있다의 의미는?(‘chang-mun-iyeol-ryeoiss-da’mun-jang-e-seoa-iss-da-uiui-mi-neun?, ‘changmuniyeolryeoissda’munjangeseoaissdauiuimineun?)Why is ‘나는 책을 읽어 있다’ incorrect?
‘나는 책을 읽어 있다’가 틀린 이유는?(‘na-neunchaek-eulik-eoiss-da’gateul-rini-yu-neun?, ‘naneunchaekeulikeoissda’gateulriniyuneun?)
More comparisons to explore
- 밖에 vs 외에: Difference Between Limitation and Exclusion
- 고나서 vs 고나니: Sequence vs Causation in Korean
- 습니다 vs 세요: Differences in Polite Sentence Endings
- 해요 vs 하세요: Natural Polite Speech Usage
- 왜냐하면 vs 때문에: Differences in Expressing Reasons
- 놀다 vs 즐기다: Difference Between Daily Activity and Emotional Enjoyment
- 일하다 vs 근무하다: Differences in Work Expressions
- 쉬다 vs 휴식하다: Casual vs Formal Resting