If you want to express that you were just about to do something in Korean, the grammar pattern ‘-(으)려던 참이다’ is essential to know. This expression is commonly used in everyday conversations to indicate that an action was already planned or intended. In this guide, you’ll learn how to use ‘-(으)려던 참이다’ correctly with clear explanations, real-life examples, and practice exercises. Keep reading to master this useful Korean expression!
Contents
1. Definition
‘-(으)려던 참이다’ translates to “I was just about to…” or “I was on the verge of…” in English. It is used to express that the speaker was planning or intending to do something at that moment.
2. Form (Structure)
The structure of ‘-(으)려던 참이다’ depends on whether the verb ends in a vowel or consonant:
| Verb Ending | Form | Example Sentence |
| Ends in a vowel | Verb stem + 려던 참이다 | 지금 나가려던 참이에요. (I was just about to go out.) |
| Ends in a consonant | Verb stem + 으려던 참이다 | 밥을 먹으려던 참이었어요. (I was just about to eat.) |
3. Meaning & Usage
The expression ‘-(으)려던 참이다’ is used to indicate that the speaker was just about to do something. It conveys the idea that the action was already planned or intended before it was mentioned. This pattern is often used when responding to someone’s suggestion or question.
1. To express that you were just about to do something
This structure is commonly used when the speaker was already planning to do an action before the conversation started.
- 숙제를 하려던 참이에요. (I was just about to do my homework.)
- 친구에게 전화하려던 참이었어요. (I was just about to call my friend.)
- 지금 출발하려던 참이에요. (I was just about to leave now.)
- 저녁을 만들려던 참이었어요. (I was just about to cook dinner.)
- 영화를 보려던 참이었어요. (I was just about to watch a movie.)
2. To respond to a suggestion or question
It is often used when someone suggests an action, and the speaker was already planning to do it.
- A: 점심 먹으러 갈래요? (Do you want to go eat lunch?)
B: 네, 저도 먹으려던 참이었어요. (Yes, I was just about to eat.) - A: 밖에 나갈까요? (Shall we go outside?)
B: 좋아요! 저도 나가려던 참이었어요. (Sounds good! I was just about to go out.) - A: 커피 한 잔 어때요? (How about a cup of coffee?)
B: 좋죠! 마시려던 참이었어요. (Great! I was just about to drink one.) - A: 빨래해야겠어요. (I should do the laundry.)
B: 저도 하려던 참이었어요. (I was just about to do it too.) - A: 지금 회의 시작할까요? (Shall we start the meeting now?)
B: 네, 시작하려던 참이었어요. (Yes, I was just about to start.)
3. To emphasize that the timing is perfect
The phrase can also highlight that something is happening at just the right time.
- 마침 쉬려던 참이었어요. (I was just about to take a break.)
- 물 마시려던 참이었는데 잘 됐네요. (I was just about to drink water, so this is perfect.)
- 우산을 사려던 참이었는데 세일하네요. (I was just about to buy an umbrella, and it’s on sale!)
- 책을 읽으려던 참이었는데 전화가 왔어요. (I was just about to read a book, but I got a call.)
- 운동을 시작하려던 참인데 비가 오네요. (I was just about to start exercising, but it started raining.)
4. To talk about past situations where you were about to do something
This expression can also be used in the past tense to describe something you were just about to do but didn’t get to complete.
- 집에 가려던 참이었는데 친구를 만났어요. (I was just about to go home, but I ran into a friend.)
- 문을 열려던 참이었는데 누가 먼저 열었어요. (I was just about to open the door, but someone else opened it first.)
- 영화를 보려던 참이었는데 갑자기 정전이 됐어요. (I was just about to watch a movie, but there was a sudden blackout.)
- 자려던 참이었는데 전화가 왔어요. (I was just about to sleep, but I got a call.)
- 이메일을 보내려던 참이었는데 인터넷이 끊겼어요. (I was just about to send an email, but the internet went out.)
5. To politely accept an offer
In casual and polite conversations, this phrase can be used to agree with an offer naturally.
- A: 차 한 잔 드실래요? (Would you like a cup of tea?)
B: 네, 마시려던 참이었어요. (Yes, I was just about to drink one.) - A: 같이 영화 볼까요? (Shall we watch a movie together?)
B: 좋아요! 보려던 참이었어요. (Sounds great! I was just about to watch one.) - A: 점심 먹으러 갈까요? (Shall we go for lunch?)
B: 네, 배고파서 먹으려던 참이었어요. (Yes, I was hungry and just about to eat.) - A: 좀 쉬세요. (Take a rest.)
B: 네, 쉬려던 참이었어요. (Yes, I was just about to rest.) - A: 이 책 읽어 보세요. (Try reading this book.)
B: 네, 읽으려던 참이었어요. (Yes, I was just about to read it.)
4. Key Points to Remember
- ‘-(으)려던 참이다’ is used for actions that were intended but not yet completed.
- The form changes based on the final consonant or vowel of the verb stem.
- Common Usage:
- Expressing imminent actions.
- Responding to suggestions or questions naturally.
- Highlighting perfect timing for an action.
- Describing past situations where the action was interrupted.
- Politely accepting offers in casual conversations.
💡 Tips: Often used with phrases like “안 그래도” or “그렇지 않아도” to emphasize that the speaker was already planning to do the suggested action.
- 안 그래도: “Even before you mentioned it” or “I was already going to…” (It emphasizes that the speaker was already planning or intending to do something before it was brought up)
- 그렇지 않아도: “Even if it’s not like that” or “I was going to do it anyway” (It conveys the idea that the action was already planned regardless of external factors)
5. Practice Exercises
Fill in the Blank Practice Exercises for ‘-(으)려던 참이다’ (with English translations)
- 지금 집에 ________ 참이에요. (가다)
(I was just about to go home.) - 친구에게 ________ 참이었어요. (전화하다)
(I was just about to call my friend.) - 저녁을 ________ 참이었어요. (먹다)
(I was just about to eat dinner.) - 책을 ________ 참이에요. (읽다)
(I was just about to read a book.) - 운동을 ________ 참이에요. (시작하다)
(I was just about to start exercising.) - 영화를 ________ 참이었어요. (보다)
(I was just about to watch a movie.) - 방을 ________ 참인데 손님이 왔어요. (청소하다)
(I was just about to clean the room, but a guest arrived.) - 커피를 ________ 참이에요. (마시다)
(I was just about to drink coffee.) - 시장에 ________ 참이었어요. (가다)
(I was just about to go to the market.) - 이메일을 ________ 참이에요. (보내다)
(I was just about to send an email.)
6. Answers
- 지금 집에 가려던 참이에요. (I was just about to go home.)
- 친구에게 전화하려던 참이었어요. (I was just about to call my friend.)
- 저녁을 먹으려던 참이었어요. (I was just about to eat dinner.)
- 책을 읽으려던 참이에요. (I was just about to read a book.)
- 운동을 시작하려던 참이에요. (I was just about to start exercising.)
- 영화를 보려던 참이었어요. (I was just about to watch a movie.)
- 방을 청소하려던 참인데 손님이 왔어요. (I was just about to clean the room, but a guest arrived.)
- 커피를 마시려던 참이에요. (I was just about to drink coffee.)
- 시장에 가려던 참이었어요. (I was just about to go to the market.)
- 이메일을 보내려던 참이에요. (I was just about to send an email.)
7. Common Mistakes and Tips
⚠️ Mistake 1: Misunderstanding the difference between ‘-(으)려고 하다‘ and ‘-(으)려던 참이다
Incorrect: 점심을 먹으려고 했어요 ❌
Correct: 점심을 먹으려던 참이에요 ✅
💡 Tip: While “점심을 먹으려고 했어요” is grammatically correct, it refers to a general intention or plan, not an immediate action. Use ‘-(으)려던 참이다’ when emphasizing that the action is about to happen imminently. For example, “점심을 먹으려던 참이에요” implies that you were just about to eat lunch at that moment.
📍 Want to learn the difference between ‘-(으)려고 하다‘ and ‘-(으)려던 참이다’? Click below 👇👇👇 for a detailed explanation!
⚠️ Mistake 2: Forgetting the consonant/vowel distinction
Incorrect: 책을 읽려고 한 참이에요 ❌
Correct: 책을 읽으려던 참이에요 ✅
💡 Tip: Always check if the verb stem ends with a vowel or consonant. Use -려던 참이다 for vowel-ending verbs and -으려던 참이다 for consonant-ending verbs.
⚠️ Mistake 3: Overusing this phrase in inappropriate contexts
Incorrect: 사장님, 제가 이 일을 하려고 한 참이에요 ❌
Correct: 사장님, 제가 이 일을 하겠습니다 ✅
💡 Tip: Avoid casual expressions like ‘-(으)려던 참이다’ in formal or professional situations. Instead, use more polite and direct forms such as ‘-겠습니다’ or ‘-하려고 합니다.’
⚠️ Mistake 4: Using ‘-(으)려던 참이다’ for distant future plans
Incorrect: 내년에 한국에 가려던 참이었어요 ❌
Correct: 내년에 한국에 가려고 해요 ✅
💡 Tip: This grammar is only used for actions happening in the near future. For distant plans, use ‘-(으)려고 하다.‘
⚠️ Mistake 5: Not using “안 그래도” or “그렇지 않아도” for natural emphasis
Incorrect: 커피를 마시려던 참이에요 ❌ (Lacks nuance)
Correct: 안 그래도 커피를 마시려던 참이에요 ✅ (I was just about to drink coffee anyway.)
💡 Tip: Use phrases like “안 그래도” (I was already going to) or “그렇지 않아도” (Even before you mentioned it) to make your sentences sound more natural and conversational.
‘-(으)려던 참이다’ is an intermediate-level grammar point that adds nuance and timing specificity to your Korean sentences. By mastering its structure and usage, learners can express themselves more naturally in everyday conversations.