-는 길에

While on the way

Explanation

This expression is used when the speaker does an action while in the process of going somewhere.

Details

This expression is also used in the form -는 길이다. In such cases, it indicates that the speaker is in the process of moving from one place to another. Thus, it refers to being in the middle of doing something,

가: 어디 가는 길이에요?
Are you on your way somewhere?
나: 네, 친구 만나러 가는 길이에요.
Yes, I'm on the way to meet my friend.

2. The expression '-는 도중에' has a meaning similar to -는 길에, but there are no restrictions on what verbs it can be used with 길에，on the other hand, is generally only used with verbs indicating physical movement, such as 가다, 오다 and 나가다.

일하는 길에 컴퓨터가 꺼져 버렸어요. ✕
→일하는 도중에 컴퓨터가 꺼져 버렸어요. ✓

Here, -는 길에 cannot be used because the verb is not one of movement, such as 가다, 오다 or 나가다.

집에 가는 도중에 백화점에 들렀어요. ✓
집에 가는 길에 백화점에 들렀어요. ✓

Here, -는 길에 could be used because the verb is one of movement, such as 가다, 오다 or 나가다.

Kimchi Reader

Expresses that while en route to or from a place, another action takes place.

Examples
집에 가<span class='focus'>는 길에</span> 빵을 샀어요.
I bought bread on my way home.
시장에 들르<span class='focus'>는 길에</span> 커피를 샀어요.
On my way to the market, I bought some coffee.
친구를 만나러 나가<span class='focus'>는 길에</span> 책을 반납할 거예요.
On my way out to meet a friend, I will return the book.

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