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Lv 3Grammar expressionIntermediate · TOPIK II

-어 오다

-eo oda

have been -ing (up until now)

Attaches to a verb stem to show that an action or state has continued up to a set reference point, often the present, similar to English 'has been -ing.'

Form

Attaches to
Verb
Other shapes
-아 오다 · -여 오다

Meanings

  1. 1

    An expression used to indicate that the act or state mentioned in the preceding statement is continued as a certain set point of time is approaching.

    앞말이 나타내는 행동이나 상태가 어떤 기준점으로 가까워지면서 계속 진행됨을 나타내는 표현.

    ※ 끝음절의 모음이 ‘ㅏ, ㅗ’가 아닌 동사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.

Examples

  • 벌써 아침이 되었는지 창밖이 밝아 오고 있었다.

    It seemed morning had already come, as it was gradually getting brighter outside.

  • 인기 가수였던 김 씨는 오랫동안 팬들의 사랑을 받아 왔다.

    Ms. Kim, a popular singer, has received her fans' love for a long time.

  • 나는 여름이 되자마자 친구들과 손꼽아 오던 휴가를 다녀왔다.

    As soon as summer came, I went on the vacation my friends and I had long been looking forward to.

  • 지수가 결혼하더니 많이 밝아졌지? 맞아. 지수를 십 년 동안 봐 왔지만 요새처럼 행복해 보일 때가 없었어.

    Jisu got a lot brighter after getting married, didn't she? Yeah. I've known Jisu for ten years, and she's never looked as happy as she does these days.

  • 승규는 내일 오랫동안 꿈꿔 오던 배낭여행을 떠난다.

    Tomorrow, Seunggyu is leaving on the backpacking trip he's long dreamed of.

  • 나는 우리 팀이 우승하는 이 날을 삼 년 동안 기다려 왔다.

    I have been waiting three years for the day our team would win the championship.

Examples: 한국어기초사전, CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.

Quick check

  1. 1. What does ‘-어 오다’ mean?

  2. 2. Which form means “have been -ing (up until now)”?