Breakdown of naneun yeonghwareul bogo isseoyo.
~을~eul
object particle
~는~neun
topic particle
나na
I
영화yeonghwa
movie
보다boda
to watch
있다issda
to be
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Questions & Answers about naneun yeonghwareul bogo isseoyo.
What does 나는 mean and how does it differ from 저는?
나는 is “I” (나) plus the topic marker -는. Here, 나 is the informal first-person pronoun. In more polite or formal contexts you’d use 저 instead of 나, yielding 저는.
What is the function of the topic marker -는 in 나는?
The particle -는 attaches to a noun or pronoun to mark it as the topic of the sentence—basically what you’re talking about. In 나는, it highlights “I” as the subject under discussion. It can also imply contrast (“As for me…”).
Why is 영화를 marked with -를, and what’s the difference between -를 and -을?
영화 means “movie.” The particle -를 marks it as the direct object of the verb. You use -를 after nouns ending in a vowel (like 영화) and -을 after nouns ending in a consonant.
What is the base verb for 보고 있어요, and what does it mean?
The base form is 보다 (to see, to watch). You take the verb stem 보- and add the progressive construction -고 있다 (the 있다 part expresses the ongoing action).
Why is the verb conjugated as 보고 있어요 instead of a simple present like 봐요?
봐요 is the simple present tense, often used for habitual or general actions (“I watch movies”). 보고 있어요 uses -고 있다 to show the continuous/progressive aspect (“I am watching a movie right now”).
How does the progressive aspect -고 있다 work?
Attach -고 to the verb stem and then use a form of 있다. It indicates the action is in progress at the moment of speaking. Common endings:
• Polite informal: -고 있어요
• Formal polite: -고 있습니다
• Casual: -고 있어
What politeness level is expressed by -아/어요 in 보고 있어요, and how would it change in other speech levels?
The -아요/어요 ending (here -어요) is polite informal (해요체), suitable for everyday conversation with strangers or elders you’re not close to.
• Formal polite (하십시오체): 보고 있습니다.
• Casual (반말): 보고 있어.
Can the subject 나는 be omitted in this sentence?
Yes. Korean often drops the subject when it’s clear from context. Simply saying 영화를 보고 있어요 is perfectly natural and understood as “I’m watching a movie.”
How would you turn this sentence into a question?
You can keep the same ending but use rising intonation:
나는 영화를 보고 있어요?
Or drop 나는: 영화를 보고 있어요?
For a more formal question ending, use -습니까: 영화를 보고 있습니까?
How would you express the past progressive, like “I was watching a movie”?
Use the past form of 있다: -고 있었다. In polite style: 나는 영화를 보고 있었어요. In formal polite: 저는 영화를 보고 있었습니다.