jigeum beoseureul tago isseoyo.

I am taking the bus now.

Breakdown of jigeum beoseureul tago isseoyo.

• ~를: object particle
• 있다: to be
• 지금: now
• 버스: bus
• 타다: to ride

Questions & Answers about jigeum beoseureul tago isseoyo.

Why is the verb 타고 있어요 formed with -고 있어요 instead of just 타요?

The ending -고 있다 attaches to verb stems to express the progressive aspect (“be doing” something right now).
• 타요 simply states “(I) ride” or “(I) take” as a general fact or habit.
• 타고 있어요 means “I am riding” or “I’m on the bus right now,” emphasizing that the action is ongoing at this moment.

What role does the particle -를 play in 버스를 타고 있어요? Can I drop it?

-를 marks 버스 as the direct object of 타다 (“to ride/board”).
• In formal writing or clear speech, including 버스를 is grammatically complete.
• In casual conversation, Koreans often omit object particles, so you’ll hear 버스 타고 있어요. It’s understood, but less precise.

Why is there no subject like “I” in this sentence?

Korean commonly omits subjects when they’re obvious from context. Here, the speaker (I) is understood.
• If you want to specify or emphasize the subject, you can add 제가:
제가 지금 버스를 타고 있어요. (“I am riding the bus right now.”)

What politeness level is -고 있어요, and how do I adjust it?

-고 있어요 is the informal-polite style (해요체).
• More formal (business or presentations): -고 있습니다 → 지금 버스를 타고 있습니다.
• Casual (among close friends): drop 요 → 타고 있어.

Can I move 지금 around or replace it with other time adverbs?

지금 means “now” and most naturally appears at the start: 지금 버스를 타고 있어요.
• You can say 버스를 지금 타고 있어요 to stress timing, though it’s less common.
• Replace with other time words: 오늘 버스를 타고 있어요 (“I’m riding the bus today”), 지금 바로 버스를 타고 있어요 (“I’m boarding the bus right this moment”).

How would I say “I was riding the bus” (past continuous)?

Use the past progressive form -고 있었어요:
• 지금 버스를 타고 있었어요. (“I was riding the bus just now.”)
• Or simply 버스를 타고 있었어요. (“I was riding the bus.”)

What’s the difference between 버스를 타다 and 버스에 타다?

Both can mean “to ride a bus,” but they highlight slightly different focuses:
• 버스를 타다: uses the bus as an object (direct focus on the action of riding).
• 버스에 타다: uses -에 (locative) to emphasize “getting on/into” the bus.
In everyday speech, 버스를 타다 is more common for “take/ride the bus.”