What does it mean when people say "그냥 있어" or "그냥 하고있어"?

Question

Answer

hi 
my english is not very fluent so im not sure i can explain that exactly.
그냥(just) 
있어( basic form 있다 : there is,are; stay ; be located...)
하고 있어 (basic form 하다 + 있다 : be doing sth,continue to do sth )

그냥 있어 (but this sentence means "im just here without doing anything)
(나) 그냥 (place) 있어
ex) A : what are are you doing at home?(집에서 뭐해?)
      B : im just at home without doing anything(그냥 있어)
when you feel boring,you say "그냥 있어 "

그냥 하고 있어 (you just continue to do that)
if your boss force you to do sth continuously,he will say "그냥 하고 있어"

i hope it will help you understand.^^

Answer

그냥 있어...
case 1. (explain)
a: 너 지금 뭐하고 있어?
b: 어 그냥 있어 (do not anything special)

a: 너 지금 그 숙제 어떻게 하고 있어?
b: 어 그냥 하고 있어(doing what I'm doing without any specail way(method))

case 2. (order)
a: 나 지금 뭐 해야해?
b: 그냥 있어!(just stay there, don't do anyting)

a: 숙제 이제 그만 하면 안돼?
b: 그냥 하고 있어(do what you are doing)

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