Korean grammar patterns › Level 4
-(으)려던 참이다
was just about to …, was just going to …
Level 4 · TOPIK II · intermediate
How to use it
The speaker was about to do something right at that moment, often when something related happens or someone suggests the same thing. Often with 마침 or 막.
Forming it
| 전화하다 | → 전화하려던 참이었어요 |
| 먹다 | → 먹으려던 참이에요 |
| 만들다 | → 만들려던 참이에요 |
Used for the speaker's own intention; the past form -(으)려던 참이었다 is also common.
Examples
마침 전화하려던 참이었는데 먼저 연락 주셨네요.
I was just about to call you, and you contacted me first.
저도 지금 밥 먹으려던 참이에요. 같이 가요.
I was just about to go eat too. Let's go together.
Compared with similar patterns
-(으)려고 하다 (G1-032) is a general intention; -(으)려던 참이다 stresses perfect timing. -(으)려다(가) (G4-039) means the plan was given up or changed.