Learn Hardcore Korean: jigeum hoeui junginikka banghaehaji ma. - We’re in a meeting now, so don’t interrupt.

중 is a bound noun meaning “middle” or “in the process of.” With a preceding noun, it means “in the middle of [that noun].” So 회의 중 = “in the middle of a meeting.”

Other common collocations: 통화 중 (on a call), 수업 중 (in class), 회의 진행 중 (meeting in progress).
With verbs, you’ll see V-는 중: e.g., 읽는 중 (in the middle of reading), 운전하는 중 (driving right now).

Why is it 중이니까 and not just 중니까?

Because 중 is a noun and needs the copula 이다 (“to be”) to link to the reason ending -니까. So it’s:

중 + 이다 + -니까 → 중이니까 (“since [I/we] are in the middle of …”). You can see the same pattern with other nouns: 학생이니까 (“since [I’m] a student”), 비상사태이니까 (“since it’s an emergency”).

Why use -니까 here? Could I say -서/라서 instead?

-니까 explicitly gives a reason that often leads to a command, suggestion, or request—so it’s a very natural fit before 방해하지 마 (“don’t …”).

Using -서/라서 (e.g., 회의 중이라서) is typically used for cause-and-effect statements, and many textbooks advise avoiding it before imperatives/requests. In real life, people sometimes do say things like 회의 중이라서, 잠깐만 기다려 주세요, but if you want the most natural, textbook-safe choice for a prohibition/request, go with -니까.

Is 지금 necessary? Doesn’t 중 already imply “now”?

지금 isn’t strictly necessary. 회의 중 already implies an ongoing, current action. 지금 adds emphasis—“right now”—and makes the timing extra clear. Both are fine:

회의 중이니까 방해하지 마.
지금 회의 중이니까 방해하지 마. (a bit stronger/clearer)

Is 방해하지 마 rude? How can I make it more polite?

방해하지 마 is casual and can sound blunt, depending on tone and relationship. More polite options:

Casual-polite: 방해하지 마요.
Polite request: 방해하지 마세요.
Very formal: 방해하지 마십시오. Softening tricks:
Add 좀: 방해하지 마세요, 좀. (Please, don’t disturb.)
Use a request construction: 방해하지 말아 주세요., 방해하지 않으셨으면 해요.

What exactly is the -지 마 part? Why not just say “방해 마”?

The prohibition form is built with the auxiliary verb 말다 (“to stop/cease”) attached to a verb with -지:

V-지 말다 = “don’t do V.”
Imperative casual: V-지 마 (short for 말아), e.g., 하지 마, 먹지 마.
Variants by register:
- -지 마요 (polite casual)
- -지 마세요 (polite request)
- -지 마라 (stern/instructional/written)
- -지 말아(요) (older/literary tone)

There’s no subject or object. Who’s being disturbed?

Korean drops obvious subjects/objects. In context, it means “Don’t disturb me/us” because the speaker is the one in the meeting. If you need to be explicit:

지금 제가 회의 중이니까 저 좀 방해하지 마세요.
지금 우리 팀이 회의 중이니까 방해하지 마.

Could I say 회의하고 있으니까 instead of 회의 중이니까?

Yes. 회의하고 있으니까 uses the progressive “be -ing,” while 회의 중이니까 uses the noun phrase “in the middle of a meeting.” Both are natural; 회의 중 feels concise and a bit more nominal/formal, while -고 있다 sounds more verbal and conversational.

You’ll often see both with similar meaning:
- 통화 중이니까 나중에 전화해.
- 통화하고 있으니까 나중에 전화해.

How should I space this? Is 회의중 or 방해하지마 okay?

Standard spacing:

회의 중 (space before the bound noun 중)
방해하지 마 (space before 마, from 말다) Common but nonstandard spellings are 회의중, 방해하지마 (often seen in casual messages). For correct writing, use the spaces.

Pronunciation tips?

지금 [ji-geum]
회의 is written “hoeui” in romanization but pronounced roughly [hwe-i] or [hoe-i]—you can hear both.
중이니까 [jung-i-ni-kka] (double-k sound on -니까)
방해하지 마 [bang-hae-ha-ji ma] Don’t over-merge 회의 into one syllable; keep a slight break: hwe + i.

If I want to be extra polite/gentle, what can I add?

좀 (a softener): 지금 회의 중이니까 좀 방해하지 마세요.
제발 (please, with urgency): 제발 방해하지 마세요. (can sound desperate)
Offer an alternative: 지금 회의 중이니까, 나중에 연락해 주시면 감사하겠습니다.

Can I reverse the clause order?

Yes. You can say the command first and then give the reason:

방해하지 마. 지금 회의 중이니까. This feels like “Don’t disturb me—because I’m in a meeting.” Perfectly natural in speech.

What if I’m making a sign or an auto-reply?

Common, polite, sign-like phrasing:

Door sign: 회의 중입니다. 들어오지 마세요.
Auto-reply: 현재 회의 중이라 연락이 어려울 수 있습니다. 업무 시간 내에 다시 연락드리겠습니다.

How do I show honorifics if I’m talking about someone important being in a meeting?

Use the honorific -시- with the copula:

사장님은 지금 회의 중이시니까 방해하지 마세요. Also consider honorific verbs if relevant elsewhere in the sentence.

Should I use 중 or 동안? What’s the difference?

중 = “in the midst (right now).” Focuses on the ongoing action at this moment.
- 회의 중이니까… (I’m in a meeting right now, so…)
동안 = “during (the span of time).” Emphasizes the whole period.
- 회의하는 동안은 방해하지 마. (Don’t disturb at any time during the meeting.)

Is 방해하다 the best verb here? What about “interrupting” specifically?

방해하다 is general “disturb/hinder.” For more specific nuances:

“Interrupt (someone speaking)”: 말 끊지 마. / 끼어들지 마.
“Don’t talk to me (now)”: 말 걸지 마.
“Don’t mess with me/touch”: 건드리지 마. Choose based on what you want to prevent. Here, 방해하지 마 is broad and fits many situations.