Meaning
"I'm thinking about/of"는 어떤 주제나 사람, 또는 상황에 대해 생각하고 있음을 나타내는 표현입니다. 이 표현은 현재 머릿속에서 어떤 것을 고려하거나, 계획하거나, 단순히 떠올리고 있을 때 사용됩니다.
예를 들어, "I'm thinking about going on a trip"이라고 하면, 여행을 가는 것에 대해 생각하고 있다는 의미입니다. 이때 "about"과 "of"는 거의 같은 의미로 사용되지만, 일반적으로 "about"이 더 자주 쓰이는 경향이 있습니다.
이 표현은 일상 대화에서 매우 유용하며, 자신의 생각을 명확히 전달할 수 있습니다. 예를 들어 누군가가 "What are you doing?"이라고 물었을 때, "I'm thinking about what to have for dinner"라고 답하면, 저녁 메뉴에 대해 고민하고 있다는 의미가 전달됩니다.
또한, "I'm thinking of you"라고 하면, 그 사람을 떠올리거나 그리워하고 있다는 뜻이 됩니다. 이처럼 "I'm thinking about/of"는 다양한 상황에서 자신의 현재 생각이나 고려 중인 사항을 표현하는데 효과적입니다.
Today's Sentences
- I'm thinking about quitting my job.
- I'm thinking about buying a new car.
- I'm thinking about proposing to my girlfriend.
- I'm thinking about moving to France.
- I'm thinking about getting a tattoo.
- Writer's Note
01
I'm thinking of quitting my job.
Situation 1
Are you stressed?
Yes, work is getting to me.
Is everything ok?
I’m thinking of quitting my job.
Situation 2
I’m thinking of quitting my job.
Oh no. Did something happen at work?
Not really but I do hate my boss.
I understand.
02
I'm thinking about buying a new car.
Situation
I’m thinking about buying a new car.
That’s great!
Have you narrowed down a few models?
몇 가지 모델을 정해두셨나요?
Not yet.
I can't afford to spend too much.
너무 많이 쓸 여유가 없어.
I understand. It’s a huge investment.
03
I'm thinking about proposing to my girlfriend.
Situation
How’s your relationship going?
Great!
I’m thinking about proposing to my girlfriend.
제 여자친구에게 청혼할 생각을 하고 있어요.
Really?
Things must be going well.
모든 게 잘 되고 있나 봐요.
They are! I’m happy.
04
I'm thinking about moving to France.
Situation 1
How have you been?
Anything new?
새로운 일이 있었나요?
Good.
I’m thinking about moving to France.
나는 프랑스로 이사할까 생각 중이야.
Really?
Why France?
왜 "France"?
There’s so much history there and I love the culture.
Situation 2
I’m thinking of moving to France.
Oh, what part of France?
I’d love to live in Paris.
I guess you could start with looking for possible jobs.
05
I'm thinking about getting a tattoo.
Situation 1
What do you think about body art?
You mean getting a tattoo?
Yea, I’m thinking about getting a tattoo.
I’m all for self-expression.
Go for it!
실행해 보세요!
Situation 2
I’m thinking of getting a tattoo.
Do you have a design?
I did some searching online for designs.
Do you know any artists?
예술가를 알고 계신가요?
Actually,
one of my good friends is a tattoo artist.
제 친한 친구 중 한 명이 "tattoo artist"입니다.
Writer’s Note
Important tip! You want to avoid saying "I’m thinking to" because it is grammatically incorrect.
Example:
❌ "I’m thinking to change my mind" or "I’m thinking to make pasta" are incorrect.
✅ You want to aim for "I’m thinking of" + gerund’ or "I’m thinking about verb+ing".
❌ "I’m thinking to change my mind" 또는 "I’m thinking to make pasta"는 잘못된 표현입니다.
✅ "I’m thinking of" + 동명사 또는 "I’m thinking about verb+ing"을 목표로 해야 합니다.
Both "I’m thinking about" and "I’m thinking of" are used to talk about something you're considering or imagining. They’re often interchangeable, but can feel slightly different in tone:
"I’m thinking about"→ often used for processes or reflections
"I’m thinking of" → often used for specific ideas, plans, or mental images.
Here are a few more fun examples to help you:
"I'm thinking about"
- I’m thinking about writing a children’s book based on my cat’s daily adventures.
- I’m thinking about what it would be like to live in a treehouse.
- I’m thinking about starting a podcast where I interview my grandparents.
- I’m thinking about taking a month off just to explore small towns and sketch them.
- I’m thinking about how weirdly quiet the world gets at 4 a.m.
"I'm thinking of"
- I’m thinking of turning my closet into a secret reading nook.
- I’m thinking of naming my bread dough, "Martha".
- I’m thinking of baking something I’ve never tried—like a lavender lemon tart.
- I’m thinking of sending handwritten letters instead of texts for a week.
- I’m thinking of creating a short film based entirely on everyday sounds.
Speaking incorrect grammatical sentences will make it harder for the listener to understand what you are trying to say. So make sure you practice out loud, record and listen to your own voice to get comfortable with these expressions.