New Feature! We now have a Japanese text parser that works for custom texts and YouTube, acting as a reading assistant and translator. Check it out here!
Decoded Slug: ~하다가 [hadaga] (Was doing something and then...)
Korean Grammar Point
~하다가 [hadaga] (Was doing something and then...)
~하다가 [hadaga] (Was doing something and then...)
Short explanation:
Used to express an action that was being done and then was interrupted by another situation or action.
Formation:
Verb stem + 하다가
Examples:
저는 숙제를 하다가 친구가 전화해서 놀러 가자고 했어요.
Jeoneun sukjereul hadaga chinguga jeonhwahaeseo nolleo gajago haesseoyo.
I was doing my homework when my friend called and suggested to go out.
저는 새벽에 산책을 하다가 갑자기 비가 와요.
Jeoneun saebyeoke sancharleul hadaga gabjagi biga wayo.
I was taking a walk at dawn when it suddenly started to rain.
어제 저는 밖에서 책을 읽다가 갑자기 배가 고프게 되었어요.
Eoje jeoneun bakeseo chaekeul ilgdaga gabjagi baega gopeuge doe-eoss-eoyo.
Yesterday I was reading a book outside when suddenly I became hungry.
나는 음악을 듣다가 어떤 노래가 내 기분을 맞춰서 기분이 좋아졌어요.
Naneun eum-ag-eul deud-daga eotteon nolaega nae gibun-eul majchwoseo gibun-i jo-a-jyeoss-eoyo.
I was listening to music and then a certain song matched my mood and I felt better.
Long explanation:
'~하다가' is a verb ending used in Korean to show that there was an action in progress, but another situation or action occurred that interrupted or changed the scene. It can often be translated as 'was doing and then', 'while doing' etc. This grammar point gives the nuance of something unexpected or unplanned happening while one was occupied with something else.