Beginner Estimated read: 3 mins

-고 있다 (State of Clothing/Action)

While '-고 있다' normally means 'is doing' (present continuous), when used with verbs related to wearing clothing/accessories, it uniquely means the action of putting it on has FINISHED, and the person is currently in the STATE of wearing it.

Summary

Equivalent

Is wearing / Has put on

Also: -(으)ㄴ 상태이다 (Is in the state of...)

Example

I am wearing blue jeans.

제가 청바지를 입고 있어요.

Grammar rules

  • Use with verbs like 입다 (clothes), 신다 (shoes), 쓰다 (hat/glasses), 끼다 (gloves/ring), 차다 (watch), 매다 (tie/belt).
  • For these clothing verbs, '-고 있다' translates to 'is wearing', not 'is currently in the middle of putting on'. To express the action of putting on right now, you would use other phrases or context.

    수미 씨가 안경을 쓰고 있어요. (Sumi is wearing glasses - she has them on her face right now.)

Patterns

1

Verbs (Wearing/Taking off)

Present State · Verb Stem + 고 있다

Example sentences

Verbs (Wearing/Taking off) · Present State · Verb Stem + 고 있다

I am wearing blue jeans.

제가 청바지를 입고 있어요.

Verbs (Wearing/Taking off) · Present State · Verb Stem + 고 있다

That man is wearing a hat.

그 남자는 모자를 쓰고 있어요.

Verbs (Wearing/Taking off) · Present State · Verb Stem + 고 있다

Sumi is wearing red shoes.

수미 씨는 빨간색 구두를 신고 있어요.

Conversation

A: Which person is Miae?

어떤 사람이 미애 씨예요?

B: She's the person over there wearing a red skirt.

저기 빨간 치마를 입고 있는 사람이에요.

Practice

Fill in the blank

Select the correct form expressing the state of wearing.

Wearing a hat.

Wearing shoes.