Learn Hardcore Korean: jigeum nalssiga chuwojigo isseoyo.

-가 marks 날씨 as the grammatical subject with new or focused information. You could use -은/는 (날씨는) to set a topic or contrast (“Speaking of the weather…”), but -가 is more neutral here and simply points out that the weather is doing something (getting colder).

What is the role of 지금 in this sentence? Is it mandatory, and where can I place it?

지금 means “now” and emphasizes that the change is happening at this moment. It’s not strictly mandatory—removing it still gives a correct sentence (날씨가 추워지고 있어요). You can place 지금 at the beginning (as shown), before the verb (날씨가 지금 추워지고 있어요), or even after the subject (지금 날씨가 추워지고 있어요), though the first position is most natural for time adverbs.

What exactly does 추워지고 있어요 mean, and how is it formed?

추워지다 is a combination of the adjective stem 추워- (“cold”) plus -지다, indicating a change of state (“to become cold(er)”). Adding -고 있다 (conjugated to -고 있어요) makes it progressive:

Take the adjective stem: 추워-
Add -지다 → 추워지다 (“to become cold”)
Drop 다, add -고 있다 → 추워지고 있다 (“is becoming cold”)
Honorific/polite ending → 추워지고 있어요

How is -고 있다 different from the simple present tense in English?

In Korean, -고 있다 expresses an ongoing action or process rather than a one-time event. Here it highlights that the weather is in the process of getting colder (gradual change). In English, you might translate it as “is getting colder,” capturing both the progressive aspect and the change.

What’s the difference between 춥다 and 추워지다?

춥다 is the basic adjective “to be cold.” You use it when stating a general condition: 날씨가 춥다 (“The weather is cold”).
추워지다 means “to become cold(er),” focusing on the process of getting colder. Hence 추워져요 is “it becomes cold,” and 추워지고 있어요 is “it’s getting colder.”

Can I use 있어요 instead of 있다 at the end?

Korean verbs must be conjugated to match the politeness level. 있다 is the dictionary (bare) form. To speak politely, you use 있어요. You wouldn’t say 추워지고 있다 in everyday polite conversation—you need 있어요.

Are there irregulars in forming -아/어지다 with other adjectives?

Most adjectives simply take their stem + -아/어지다 (e.g., 높다 → 높아지다, “to become high”). However, adjectives with stems ending in ㅡ or other irregular verbs may follow their own patterns. 춥다 is regular here because 춥- + -어지다 → 추워지다.

Could I say 날씨가 점점 추워지고 있어요 instead? What does 점점 add?

Yes! 점점 means “gradually” or “more and more.” Saying 날씨가 점점 추워지고 있어요 puts extra emphasis on the gradual nature of the change: “The weather is gradually getting colder.”