In this lesson, we'll learn how to express future actions and intentions in Korean using the grammar pattern (으)ㄹ 거예요.
Forming (으)ㄹ 거예요
The formation depends on whether the verb stem ends with a consonant or a vowel.
- If the verb stem ends with a consonant:
Add 을 거예요 to the verb stem.
Example:
먹다 (to eat) → 먹을 거예요
먹다 → 먹 (verb stem) + 을 거예요 → 먹을 거예요 (will eat)
- If the verb stem ends with a vowel:
Add ㄹ 거예요 to the verb stem.
Example:
가다 (to go) → 갈 거예요
가다 → 가 (verb stem) + ㄹ 거예요 → 갈 거예요 (will go)
| Infinitive Verb | Verb Stem | Future Tense | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 먹다 (to eat) | 먹 | 먹을 거예요 | Will eat |
| 가다 (to go) | 가 | 갈 거예요 | Will go |
| 읽다 (to read) | 읽 | 읽을 거예요 | Will read |
| 주다 (to give) | 주 | 줄 거예요 | Will give |
| 만들다 (to make) | 만들 | 만들 거예요 | Will make |
Using (으)ㄹ 거예요 in Sentences
Here are some examples of how to use (으)ㄹ 거예요 in sentences:
- 내일 학교에 갈 거예요.I will go to school tomorrow.
- 저는 한국어를 공부할 겁니다.I will study Korean
- 친구를 만날 거야.I am going to meet a friend.
- 주말에 여행할 거예요.I will go on a trip this weekend.
- 저녁에 요리할 거예요.I'm going to cook this evening.
- 영화를 볼 거야.I am going to watch a movie (반말).
- 내일 비가 올 겁니다.It will rain tomorrow (높임말).
을 것이다/을 거다 is the base form of (으)ㄹ 거예요.
것 means "thing" in Korean and is often shorten as 거, more common in speech.
It is good to understand this base form exists so that you can combine it with other grammars later.
Negative Form
To express the negative future tense, you can use 안 before the verb phrase or use -지 않을 거예요 after the verb stem.
- Using 안:
안 + Verb in Future Tense
Example: 안 갈 거예요. (I will not go.)
- Using -지 않을 거예요:
Verb Stem + 지 않을 거예요
Example: 가지 않을 거예요. (I will not go.)
Irregular Verb Considerations
Some verbs have irregular stems when conjugated.
- Verbs Ending with ㄷ:
If the verb stem ends with ㄷ, it changes to ㄹ when followed by a vowel.
Example:
듣다 (to listen) → 들을 거예요
듣다 → 듣 → 들 (ㄷ changes to ㄹ) + 을 거예요 → 들을 거예요
- Verbs Ending with ㅂ:
If the verb stem ends with ㅂ, it changes to 우 when followed by a vowel.
Example:
돕다 (to help) → 도울 거예요
돕다 → 돕 → 도우 + ㄹ 거예요 → 도울 거예요