Business Formal: -는 데 있어서 (In Terms Of, Regarding)

This pattern is built from three parts. First, you have a verb stem. Next, you add -는 데. This 데 acts as a noun meaning "place," "circumstance," or "process." Finally, you add 있어서. This comes from the verb 있다 (to exist). Together, they mean "in the circumstance of doing something." It sets a specific stage for the rest of your sentence. It focuses the listener on a particular activity or process. It is almost always followed by an opinion or a requirement. For example, "In (the process of) learning Korean, patience is key." It sounds much more official than just saying "Learning Korean is hard."

1. 1Creating this pattern is surprisingly simple once you know the rule. Follow these steps:
2. 2Take any action verb stem (like 공부하다 or 준비하다).
3. 3Add -는 to the stem. This turns the verb into a modifier.
4. 4Add a space and the dependent noun 데.
5. 5Add another space and the phrase 있어서 (or 있어서는 for more emphasis).
6. 6Example 1: 하다 (to do) → 하는 + 데 있어서 → 하는 데 있어서.
7. 7Example 2: 성공하다 (to succeed) → 성공하는 + 데 있어서 → 성공하는 데 있어서.
8. 8Example 3: 결정하다 (to decide) → 결정하는 + 데 있어서 → 결정하는 데 있어서.
9. 9Note: This is strictly for action verbs. If you want to use it with a plain noun, you just use 에 있어서 (e.g., 인생에 있어서 - "In life").

Use this when the stakes are high. It belongs in formal writing and polite speech. Here are a few real-world scenarios:

• Job Interviews: Use it to explain your philosophy on work. "In terms of managing a team, communication is first."
• Business Proposals: Use it to outline project goals. "Regarding the development of this app, user safety is paramount."
• Giving Advice: Use it to sound like an expert. "In the process of buying a house, location matters most."
• Academic Essays: It helps you define the scope of your argument. "In achieving economic growth, technology plays a role."

Think of it like a grammar traffic light. It signals to everyone that a serious point is coming through.

Don't use this at the gym or while grabbing beer with friends. It’s too heavy for casual settings. If you say 밥을 먹는 데 있어서... (In the process of eating rice...) while ordering kimbap, the clerk might look at you funny. It’s like wearing a tuxedo to a swimming pool. For daily life, stick to simpler forms like ~할 때 (when) or ~는 데 (in doing). Also, avoid using it with very simple, physical actions unless you are being intentionally dramatic or philosophical. "In the process of brushing my teeth" is probably too much for your morning routine conversation.

Spacing is the number one enemy here. Many people forget the space between 는, 데, and 있어서. It should always be 하는 데 있어서. Writing it as 하는데있어서 is a big no-no in formal writing. Another mistake is mixing up -는 데 있어서 with -는 데. While -는 데 can mean "but" or "and," our formal version always needs the 있어서 to keep its specific "regarding" meaning. Lastly, don't use it with adjectives directly. You can't say 예쁜 데 있어서. It must be an action or a process of *becoming* something.

How does this differ from other "regarding" patterns?

• -는 데 vs. -는 데 있어서: The first is broader and can mean "but" or just "in doing." The latter is strictly formal and focuses on the "process."
• 에 있어서 vs. -는 데 있어서: 에 있어서 follows a noun (e.g., 건강에 있어서 - In terms of health). -는 데 있어서 follows a verb (e.g., 건강을 유지하는 데 있어서 - In terms of maintaining health).
• -기 위해 vs. -는 데 있어서: -기 위해 means "in order to" (purpose). -는 데 있어서 means "within the context of doing" (scope). Use the latter when you want to describe what is necessary or true within a certain activity.