What Does 중 Mean in Korean and How to Use It?

중 is a Hanja (Chinese character) meaning ‘middle’. Therefore, Noun중 and Verbs-는 중 can be used to indicate that the subject is in the process of performing the action. It corresponds to ‘in the process/middle of’ or ‘currently doing’ in English. After a noun, 중 is added, and after a verb， -는 중 is added to the verb stem.

Examples:

지하철 공사 중입나다. The subway is under construction

(=지하철 공사하는 중입나다.) The subway is in the course of construction.

사장님은 회의 중입니다. The president is in a meeting.

(= 사장님은 회의하는 중입니다.)The president is currently having a meeting.

What is the difference between -는 중이다 and -고 있다?

-는 중이다 and -고 있다 are used in similar ways. However, while -고 있다 has no restrictions regarding what subjects it can be used with, -는 중이다 cannot be used with subjects representing natural phenomena.

비가 오는 중이에요. (wrong) -> 비가 오고 있어요. (correct) It’s raining.

둔이 오는 중이에요 (wrong) ->  눈이 오고 있어요. (correct) It’s snowing.

바람이 부는중이에요 (wrong) -> 바람이 불고 있어요. (correct) The wind is blowing.