jigeum bakkeseo chingureul gidarigo isseoyo.

I am waiting for a friend outside now.

Breakdown of jigeum bakkeseo chingureul gidarigo isseoyo.

• ~을: object particle
• ~에서: location particle
• 친구: friend
• 있다: to be

Questions & Answers about jigeum bakkeseo chingureul gidarigo isseoyo.

Why do we use -고 있어요 in 기다리고 있어요? Can't we just say 기다려요?

The ending -고 있다 attaches to a verb stem to create the progressive aspect (the “-ing” form in English).

• 기다려요 can mean “I wait” (habitual action) or “I will wait.”
• 기다리고 있어요 specifically means “I am waiting right now.”
  If you omit -고 있다, you lose the sense that the action is ongoing at this moment.

In 기다리고 있어요, is 있다 the same verb that means “to exist,” or is it just a helper?

Here 있다 is an auxiliary (helper) verb, not the main “to exist” verb. It combines with -고 to form -고 있다, which expresses continuous or ongoing action.
Contrast:

• Auxiliary use (progressive): 기다리고 있어요 = “I am waiting.”
• Existential use: 집에 있어요 = “I am at home.” (Here 있다 means “to be located/exist.”)

Why is it 밖에서 instead of 밖에, 바깥에, or 바깥에서?