기는요 [Intermediate Grammar]

- 기는요

→ It is added to a stem of a verb or an adjective and used for the denial of the other party's opinion or question or the modesty of taking a compliment or an apology. It is common to add a sentence explaining the reason afterward.

Example: 

가: 여러 가지로 도와주셔서 감사합니다. Thank you for helping me. 

나: 도와주기는요. 오히려 제가 도움을 받은 걸요.You're welcome. It was my pleasure.

가: 한국 생활이 힘들지 않아요? Is it hard to live in Korea, isn't it?
나: 힘들기는요. 아주 재미있는데요. No, it isn't. I'm having lots of fun.

가: 이 책이 재미있지요? This book is funny, isn't it?
나: 재미있기는요. 지루해서 죽겠어요. No, it isn't. It is rather boring.

가: 열심히 공부했으니까 성적이 올랐겠네요.

    I think your grades went up because you studied hard.

나: 성적이 오르기는요. 오히려 떨어졌어요.

    Scores do not increase. Instead, it went down.