Korean grammar patterns › Level 4
-는 도중(에)
in the middle of (doing), on the way
Level 4 · TOPIK II · intermediate
How to use it
Something happens while an action or event is still in progress, before it ends — often an interruption. Also used with movement for 'on the way'.
Forming it
| 가다 | → 가는 도중에 |
| 보다 | → 보는 도중에 |
| 회의 | → 회의 도중에 |
Verbs take only -는: ✗ 본 도중에.
Examples
집에 가는 도중에 우연히 친구를 만났어요.
On the way home, I ran into a friend by chance.
회의 도중에 전화가 와서 잠깐 나갔어요.
I got a phone call in the middle of the meeting, so I stepped out for a moment.
Compared with similar patterns
-는 길에 (G2-054) is only with movement verbs like 가다/오다. -는 동안 (G2-009) covers the whole duration. -는 사이(에) (G3-055) is a short interval, often when something happens unnoticed.