I was waiting (for you) - KoreanBlueprint

Day 105 — I was waiting (for you) | Korean Blueprint

Today’s Phrase

기다리고 있었어요

gi·da·ri·go is·seo·sseo·yo

gidarigo isseosseoyo

I was waiting (for you)

Grammar Spotlight

-고 있었어요 is the past progressive tense: I was in the process of doing something. Compare: 먹고 있어요 (I am eating now) vs. 먹고 있었어요 (I was eating at that time). This tense is essential for describing ongoing past actions.

Phrase Breakdown

기다리고

gidarigo

waiting (connector)

기다리다 (to wait) + -고 (and/while)

있었어요

isseosseoyo

was (past continuous)

-고 있었다 = was in the process of (doing)

Tells someone you were in the middle of waiting — conveys anticipation or longing.

Example Phrases

오래 기다리고 있었어요. 드디어 왔군요!

Orae gidarigo isseosseoyo. Deudiyeo watgunyo!

I’ve been waiting a long time. You’re finally here!

드디어 = finally.

전화 오기를 기다리고 있었어요.

Jeonhwa ogi reul gidarigo isseosseoyo.

I was waiting for your call.

전화 오기를 = ‘the coming of a call’ (nominalized).

계속 기다리고 있을게요.

Gyesok gidarigo isseulgeyo.

I’ll keep waiting.

계속 = continuously; -고 있을게요 = future progressive.

Related Phrases

언제 와요?

eonje wayo?

When are you coming?

Asking when someone will arrive.

빨리 보고 싶어요

ppalli bogo sipeoyo

I want to see you soon

Expressing eagerness to meet someone.

기다렸다가 만나요

gidariyeottaga mannayo

Let’s meet after waiting a bit

Suggesting to wait and then meet.

Quick Review

이 단어가 무슨 뜻이에요?

Can you recall what this means?

i danoga museun tteuisieyo?

What does this word mean?