-는 가운데 means "in the midst of," "amid," or "while (something is happening)." It's a formal expression used to describe something occurring within a particular situation or circumstance, often used in news, reports, and formal writing.
Structure
Verb/Noun + 가운데
Breakdown:
- -는: Present tense modifier (for verbs)
- 가운데: Middle, midst, among (noun)
- Combined meaning: "In the midst of [verb/noun]"
Literal meaning: "In the middle of..." or "Among..."
Formation Rules
With Action Verbs
Verb stem + -는 가운데:
- 진행하다 → 진행하는 가운데 (in the midst of proceeding)
- 계속되다 → 계속되는 가운데 (while continuing)
- 일어나다 → 일어나는 가운데 (amid occurring)
- 논의하다 → 논의하는 가운데 (amid discussing)
With Nouns
Noun + 가운데:
- 혼란 가운데 (amid confusion)
- 박수 가운데 (amid applause)
- 환호 가운데 (amid cheers)
- 침묵 가운데 (amid silence)
Past Form (Less Common)
Verb stem + -(으)ᄂ 가운데:
- 진행된 가운데 (amid having proceeded)
- Less commonly used than present
Core Meaning: Formal Circumstance
Amid a Situation
Something happening within circumstances:
- 박수 가운데 무대에 올랐습니다 (They went on stage amid applause)
- 논란 가운데 법안이 통과되었습니다 (The bill passed amid controversy)
- 긴장 가운데 회의가 시작되었습니다 (The meeting began amid tension)
While Situation Continues
During ongoing situation:
- 조사가 진행되는 가운데 (while the investigation is ongoing)
- 논의가 계속되는 가운데 (while discussions continue)
- 공사가 진행되는 가운데 (while construction is in progress)
Formal Register
Primarily News and Reports
Common contexts:
- News broadcasts
- Newspaper articles
- Formal reports
- Official statements
- Written documents
Rarely Casual
Not typically used in:
- Daily conversation
- Informal writing
- Chatting with friends
- Personal messages
Common Usage Patterns
News Reports
Formal journalism:
- 전 세계가 주목하는 가운데 (amid global attention)
- 우려가 커지는 가운데 (amid growing concerns)
- 논란이 계속되는 가운데 (amid continuing controversy)
Ceremonial Events
Formal occasions:
- 박수 가운데 시상식이 시작되었습니다 (The awards ceremony began amid applause)
- 환호 가운데 우승을 확정했습니다 (They secured victory amid cheers)
Official Situations
Formal proceedings:
- 회의가 진행되는 가운데 (while the meeting is in progress)
- 조사가 이루어지는 가운데 (while investigations are underway)
- 협상이 계속되는 가운데 (while negotiations continue)
Politeness Levels
Always Formal Context
Used with formal endings:
- 논의되는 가운데 결정되었습니다 (formal)
- Typically 합니다체 or written form
- Not used with casual endings
Common Expressions
News Language
- 논란 가운데 (amid controversy)
- 우려 가운데 (amid concerns)
- 기대 가운데 (amid expectations)
- 관심 가운데 (amid interest/attention)
- 박수 가운데 (amid applause)
Ongoing Situations
- 진행되는 가운데 (while in progress)
- 계속되는 가운데 (while continuing)
- 이루어지는 가운데 (while taking place)
- 논의되는 가운데 (while being discussed)
Atmosphere/Mood
- 긴장 가운데 (amid tension)
- 혼란 가운데 (amid confusion)
- 침묵 가운데 (amid silence)
- 환호 가운데 (amid cheers)
Comparison with Similar Patterns
-는 가운데 vs -는 동안
-는 가운데: Formal, "amid circumstances"
- 논란이 계속되는 가운데 (amid continuing controversy)
- Formal, often abstract situations
-는 동안: Neutral, "during time period"
- 회의하는 동안 (during the meeting)
- Everyday use, concrete time
-는 가운데 vs -는 중에
-는 가운데: Very formal, news/reports
- 조사가 진행되는 가운데 (amid ongoing investigation)
- Formal written language
-는 중에: Conversational, "in the middle of"
- 조사하는 중에 (in the middle of investigating)
- Can be spoken
-는 가운데 vs 속에서
-는 가운데: "Amid" (formal)
- 혼란 가운데 (amid confusion)
속에서: "Within, inside"
- 혼란 속에서 (within confusion)
- Can be similar but 속 is more literal
Summary Table
| Pattern | Example | Meaning | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| -는 가운데 | 진행되는 가운데 | While in progress | Very formal |
| -는 동안 | 진행되는 동안 | During/while proceeding | Neutral |
| -는 중에 | 진행되는 중에 | In the middle of proceeding | Conversational |
| Noun 가운데 | 박수 가운데 | Amid applause | Formal |
With Nouns Only
Common Noun Patterns
Abstract situations:
- 논란 가운데 (amid controversy)
- 우려 가운데 (amid concerns)
- 기대 가운데 (amid expectations)
- 혼란 가운데 (amid confusion)
- 긴장 가운데 (amid tension)
Reactions/Responses:
- 박수 가운데 (amid applause)
- 환호 가운데 (amid cheers)
- 침묵 가운데 (amid silence)
- 주목 가운데 (amid attention)
Usage Context Guide
Use -는 가운데 when:
- Writing news articles
- Making formal reports
- Broadcasting news
- Writing official documents
- Describing formal events
- Academic or business writing
Common contexts:
- News broadcasts (논란 가운데)
- Formal reports (진행되는 가운데)
- Official ceremonies (박수 가운데)
- Business updates (협상이 계속되는 가운데)
Alternatives for Casual Speech
Instead of -는 가운데, use:
For time/duration:
- -는 동안 (while, during)
- -(으)면서 (while doing)
For circumstances:
- -는 중에 (in the middle of)
- -을/를 때 (when)
Example Sentences
News Style
-
국민의 관심이 집중되는 가운데 투표가 시작되었습니다 (Voting began amid concentrated public attention)
-
논란이 계속되는 가운데 정부가 입장을 발표했습니다 (The government announced its position amid continuing controversy)
Formal Events
-
박수 갈채 가운데 수상자가 무대에 올랐습니다 (The winner took the stage amid applause)
-
많은 기대 가운데 신제품이 공개되었습니다 (The new product was unveiled amid high expectations)
Nuance
Emphasizes Atmosphere
Focus on surrounding circumstances:
- 긴장 가운데 (amid tension)
- Not just "while tense" but emphasizes the tense atmosphere
Often Abstract
Usually abstract situations, not concrete time:
- 논란 가운데 ✓ (amid controversy - abstract)
- 3시간 가운데 ✗ (during 3 hours - use 동안)
Key Takeaways
- ✅ Very formal: News, reports, official writing
- ✅ "Amid" situations: Not just time periods
- ✅ Works with nouns: Noun + 가운데
- ✅ Not casual: Don't use in daily conversation
- ✅ Often abstract: Controversy, concerns, applause
- ✅ News language: Essential for formal Korean
- ✅ Has alternatives: -는 동안, -는 중 for casual
-는 가운데 is essential for formal Korean writing and news broadcasts, but should be avoided in casual conversation. It adds a sophisticated, journalistic tone to descriptions of circumstances and situations.