-어 있다Korean expression · TOPIK 2

-eo itda

TOPIK 2 2급 Expressions 표현

An expression used to indicate that the state mentioned in the preceding statement is continued.

형태Forms

-어 있다-아 있다-여 있다

Which one you use is decided by what comes in front of it — see the usage rule under each meaning below.

An expression used to indicate that the state mentioned in the preceding statement is continued.

앞말이 나타내는 상태가 계속됨을 나타내는 표현.

쓰임Usage

Attaches after verbs whose final vowel is not ㅏ or ㅗ.

끝음절의 모음이 ‘ㅏ, ㅗ’가 아닌 동사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.

예문Examples

아기가 새근새근 잠들어 있다.

The baby is fast asleep, breathing softly.

아침에 내린 비로 땅은 아직도 젖어 있었다.

The ground was still wet from the rain that fell in the morning.

어제 새로 산 옷에는 아직 가격표가 붙어 있었다.

The price tag was still attached to the clothes I bought yesterday.

대화In conversation

칠판에 쓰여 있는 게 잘 안 보여.

I can't see what's written on the board very well.

너 눈이 나쁘구나. 내 공책을 보여 줄 테니 이걸 보고 적어.

You must have bad eyes. I'll show you my notes, so copy them down.

관련 문법Related grammar

Other expressions you will meet alongside this one.

-게 되다 -ge doeda An expression used to indicate that something will become the state or situation mentioned in the preceding statement. TOPIK 2 -기 때문에 -gi ttaemun -기 때문이다 An expression used to indicate that the preceding statement is the reason or cause for the following incident. TOPIK 2 -기로 하다 -giro hada An expression used to decide or promise the performance of the act mentioned in the preceding statement. TOPIK 2 -는 것 -neun geot -은 것 · -ㄴ 것 · -을 것 An expression used to enable a non-noun word to be used as a noun in a sentence or to be used in front of '이다' (be). TOPIK 2 -는 것 같다 -neun geot gatda -ㄴ 것 같다 · -은 것 같다 · -ㄹ 것 같다 An expression used to indicate that the statement is a guess. TOPIK 2 -는 동안에 -neun dong-an -는 동안 An expression used to indicate the time, for which the act or state mentioned in the preceding statement lasts. TOPIK 2

자주 묻는 질문Common questions

What does -어 있다 mean in Korean?

-어 있다 is a expression introduced at 2급 (TOPIK 2). An expression used to indicate that the state mentioned in the preceding statement is continued.

When do you use -어 있다?

Attaches after verbs whose final vowel is not ㅏ or ㅗ. The other shape is -아 있다, -여 있다 — same point, different environment.

What is the difference between -어 있다 and -아 있다?

None in meaning — they are two shapes of the same expression, and which one appears is decided by the sound in front of it, not by what you want to say.

What TOPIK level is -어 있다?

2급 — TOPIK 2, elementary. It is one of 45 grammar points at that level.

Definition, usage note, examples and dialogue from the 국립국어원 한국어기초사전, used under CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.