V + -아/어 가다V + -a/eo gada
Intermediate 3 · #38Lesson 12: 건강 – Health

V + -아/어 가다 – Keep Going On / Be Almost Done

Meaning: Continue to progress toward completion; be almost finished

Conjugation & Pattern

  • Verb stem ending in ㅏ, ㅗ: + -아 가다 (닮다 -> 닮아 가다)
  • Verb stem ending in other vowels: + -어 가다 (먹다 -> 먹어 가다, 줄다 -> 줄어 가다)
  • Verb stem ending in 하다: -> 해 가다 (완성하다 -> 완성해 가다)

Detailed Usage

Indicates that an action or change is continuously progressing from the present toward completion in the future. Frequently used with adverbs like '다', '거의', or '점점' ('be almost finished doing / gradually becoming').

Example Sentences

  1. 1

    숙제를 거의 다 해 가니까 조금만 기다려 주세요.

    Sukjereul geoui da hae ganikka jogeumman gidaryeo juseyo.

    I am almost done with my homework, so please wait just a moment.

  2. 2

    밥이 다 되어 가서 식탁을 차리기 시작했어요.

    Babi da doeeo gaseo siktageul charigi sijakhaesseoyo.

    Since the rice was almost cooked, I started setting the table.

  3. 3

    세월이 흘러가면서 제 성격도 많이 변했습니다.

    Sewori heulleogamyeonseo je seonggyeokdo mani byeonhaetseumnida.

    As time goes by, my personality has also changed a lot.

Important Notes

Distinction: '-아/어 가다' progresses from the present toward the future/completion, whereas '-아/어 오다' continues from the past up to the present.

Grammar Topics