B1 · 中級 チャプター 10

Navigating Uncertainty and Questions

5 トータルルール
52 例文
6 分
このチャプターのルール クイック練習

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of uncertainty, indirect questions, and expressing nuanced worries like a native Korean speaker.

  • Embed questions into sentences to sound more natural.
  • Speculate about future events using probability markers.
  • Express personal concerns and worries using specific patterns.
Speak with confidence, even when you're not sure.

学べること

Ready to dive deeper and truly express yourself in Korean? This chapter is your toolkit for navigating the tricky waters of uncertainty, questions, and even expressing your worries – just like a native speaker! Forget simple 'yes' or 'no' questions; here, you'll master embedding questions smoothly into any sentence. Ever wondered how to say 'I know who came' or 'I wonder where they went'? You'll nail it with -ㄴ/은/는지 and -는지. This isn't just academic; imagine asking your friend subtly, 'Do you know if the store is open?' or discussing future plans, 'I'm thinking about whether I should buy this or not.' But we don't stop there. We'll tackle 'might' and 'may' with -(으)ㄹ지도 모르다, allowing you to share your hunches and possibilities with nuance. This is perfect for speculating about dinner plans or offering a gentle suggestion. And for those moments when you've taken action because you're concerned about something, -(으)ㄹ까 봐 will become your go-to. Like saying, 'I left early because I was worried I might be late.' By the end of these five rules, you won't just be asking questions; you'll be confidently expressing doubt, making nuanced predictions, and sharing your worries, making your Korean conversations richer and much more natural. Get ready to sound truly intermediate!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Embed questions like 'I wonder who is coming' into natural speech.

チャプターガイド

Overview

Welcome to a pivotal chapter in your Korean grammar B1 journey! As you move beyond basic phrases, expressing nuanced thoughts becomes essential. This guide,
Navigating Uncertainty and Questions,
is your key to unlocking more sophisticated conversations.
We're stepping into the realm of truly intermediate Korean, where you'll learn to articulate doubts, pose indirect questions, and even share your worries with the precision of a native speaker. Forget simple yes or no responses; this chapter empowers you to integrate questions seamlessly into any sentence, allowing you to ask things like,
Do you know who came?
or
I wonder where they went?
Mastering these structures is crucial for sounding natural and engaging in deeper discussions. Imagine discussing future plans, saying, "I'm thinking about whether I should buy this or not, or subtly inquiring, Do you know if the store is open?" This isn't just academic; it's about real-world communication. We’ll also delve into expressing possibilities and hunches with might or may, perfect for speculating about dinner or offering gentle suggestions.
Furthermore, you’ll learn how to express actions taken due to concern with worried that…, like
I left early because I was worried I might be late.
By the end of this chapter, you won't just be asking questions; you'll be confidently conveying doubt, making nuanced predictions, and sharing your anxieties, making your Korean conversations richer and far more authentic. Get ready to elevate your intermediate Korean skills!

How This Grammar Works

This chapter introduces five powerful Korean grammar patterns that will significantly enhance your ability to express uncertainty and ask indirect questions. First up, we have -ㄴ/은/는지 and -는지 (Whether or Not / Indirect Questions: Knowing Who, Where, and If). These versatile endings attach to verbs and adjectives to embed questions within a larger sentence.
Use -는지 for present tense verbs and adjectives ending in a vowel (or -ㄹ), and -은지 for adjectives ending in a consonant, and -ㄴ지 for past tense verbs/adjectives or descriptive verbs. For example, "I wonder if it's open" is 문이 열렸는지 궁금해요 (I'm curious if the door opened). Or,
I know who came
is 누가 왔는지 알아요 (I know who came).
Next, we explore -(으)ㄹ지 (Korean Future Uncertainty: Whether to...), which is perfect for discussing future options or decisions. It attaches to verbs and means
whether to do something
or
if something will happen.
For instance, 내일 갈지 안 갈지 모르겠어요 (I don't know whether I'll go tomorrow or not). This helps express personal indecision.
Then comes -(으)ㄹ지도 모르다 (Expressing Uncertainty: Might or May). This structure is used to express a possibility or a hunch – something might or may happen. It softens statements and indicates a degree of uncertainty.
For example, 비가 올지도 몰라요 (It might rain). It’s excellent for speculating about future events.
Finally, we have -(으)ㄹ까 봐 (Worried That...). This crucial pattern explains an action taken because of a worry or concern. It means
because I was worried that...
or fearing that... For example, 늦을까 봐 택시를 탔어요 (I took a taxi because I was worried I might be late).
Mastering these forms will make your B1 Korean sound incredibly natural and expressive.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: 그는 언제 오는지 몰라요. (He doesn't know when he will come.)
✓ Correct: 그는 언제 올지 몰라요. (He doesn't know when he will come.)
*Explanation:* When expressing uncertainty about a *future* action or decision (
whether to do something
), -(으)ㄹ지 is more appropriate than -는지. While -는지 can refer to future in indirect questions, -(으)ㄹ지 specifically emphasizes the future uncertainty or choice.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: 비가 올 것 같아요. (It seems like it will rain.) (When meaning it *might* rain)
✓ Correct: 비가 올지도 몰라요. (It might rain.)
*Explanation:* While -것 같아요 expresses likelihood or appearance, -(으)ㄹ지도 모르다 is specifically for expressing a possibility or a hunch, implying a higher degree of uncertainty or a might/may nuance. -것 같아요 is stronger in its likelihood.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: 늦어서 저는 일찍 갔어요. (I was late, so I went early.)
✓ Correct: 늦을까 봐 일찍 갔어요. (I went early because I was worried I might be late.)
*Explanation:* The wrong sentence implies you were already late, which doesn't make sense with went early. -(으)ㄹ까 봐 correctly expresses the *reason* for an action (going early) as a *precaution against a feared outcome* (being late).

Real Conversations

A

A

우리 점심 뭐 먹을지 정했어요? (Have we decided what we'll eat for lunch?)
B

B

아니요, 아직이요. 제가 뭘 먹고 싶은지 모르겠어요. (No, not yet. I don't know what I want to eat.)
A

A

김치를 너무 많이 먹으면 배탈이 날지도 몰라요. (If you eat too much kimchi, you might get a stomach ache.)
B

B

아, 정말요? 조심해야겠네요. (Oh, really? I should be careful then.)
A

A

혹시 그 가게가 몇 시에 문을 닫는지 알아요? (Do you happen to know what time that store closes?)
B

B

글쎄요, 저도 몇 시에 닫을지 모르겠어요. 늦을까 봐 지금 가야 할 것 같아요. (Hmm, I don't know what time it will close either. I think I should go now because I'm worried it might be late.)

Quick FAQ

Q

How do I use -는지 with adjectives that end in a consonant vs. a vowel?

For adjectives ending in a consonant, use -은지 (e.g., 작다 -> 작은지). For adjectives ending in a vowel or ㄹ, use -ㄴ지 (e.g., 예쁘다 -> 예쁜지, 길다 -> 긴지). For verbs, it's always -는지 regardless of ending.

Q

What's the main difference between -(으)ㄹ지 and -(으)ㄹ지도 모르다?

-(으)ㄹ지 is used when you are unsure about a future action or decision (e.g., "I don't know whether to go

). -(으)ㄹ지도 모르다 expresses a possibility or a hunch (e.g.,
It might rain"). The former is about indecision, the latter about speculation.

Q

Can -(으)ㄹ까 봐 be used for positive worries?

No, -(으)ㄹ까 봐 specifically implies a negative or undesirable outcome that one is trying to avoid or prevent. It expresses a fear or concern.

Q

Is -는지 only for indirect questions?

While often used for indirect questions, -는지 can also express whether or not in a broader sense, indicating uncertainty about a fact or state, not necessarily a direct question being asked.

Cultural Context

These patterns are incredibly common in everyday Korean conversations, reflecting a cultural tendency towards indirectness and politeness. Instead of blunt statements, Koreans often use structures like -(으)ㄹ지도 모르다 to soften suggestions or express possibilities, avoiding definitive pronouncements that might seem too strong. -(으)ㄹ까 봐 is particularly useful for explaining actions driven by consideration for others or cautious planning, showcasing thoughtfulness.
Mastering these expressions will not only make your B1 Korean sound more natural but also help you navigate social interactions with greater cultural sensitivity. They allow for nuanced communication, which is highly valued in Korean society.

重要な例文 (8)

1

지금 비가 오는지 확인해 봐.

今、雨が降っているか確認してみて。

〜かどうか (-ㄴ/은/는지)
2

이 음식이 매운지 알려 주세요.

この料理が辛いかどうか教えてください。

〜かどうか (-ㄴ/은/는지)
3

Naeil nalssiga joeunji hwaginhae bwa.

明日の天気が良いか確認してみて。

間接疑問文：～か（どうか）、誰／どこ／いつ（-는지）
4

I beoseuga Gangname ganeunji aseyo?

このバスが江南（カンナム）に行くかご存知ですか？

間接疑問文：～か（どうか）、誰／どこ／いつ（-는지）
5

내일 비가 올지 모르겠어요.

明日雨が降るかどうかわかりません。

未来の不確実性：〜するかどうか (-(으)ㄹ지)
6

배달이 언제 올지 궁금해요.

配達がいつ来るか気になります。

未来の不確実性：〜するかどうか (-(으)ㄹ지)
7

비가 올지도 모르니까 우산을 챙기세요.

雨が降るかもしれないから、傘を持って行ってください。

不確実性の表現：「〜かもしれない」 (-(으)ㄹ지도 모르다)
8

그 사람이 제 마음을 알지도 몰라요.

あの人が私の気持ちを知っているかもしれません。

不確実性の表現：「〜かもしれない」 (-(으)ㄹ지도 모르다)

ヒントとコツ (4)

💡

「〜かどうか」を自然に言ってみよう！

もっと自然に聞こえるように、肯定と否定を一緒に使うといいですよ。「良いか悪いか」なら «좋은지 안 좋은지» と言ってみましょう。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 〜かどうか (-ㄴ/은/는지)
⚠️

「理由」の語尾と間違えないで！

理由を表す -(으)니까 と混同しがちですが、別物です。 비싸니? は質問（高い？）ですが、 비싼지 は「高いかどうか」という不確かな内容を指します。 «비싼지 안 비싼지 확인해요.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 間接疑問文：～か（どうか）、誰／どこ／いつ（-는지）
💡

「〜するかしないか」の短縮形

「〜するかしないか」と言いたい時は «-ㄹ지 말지» が便利です。例えば «갈지 말지» と言うと、行くか行かないか迷っているニュアンスが伝わります。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 未来の不確実性：〜するかどうか (-(으)ㄹ지)
💡

「念のため」の魔法の言葉

«혹시»（ひょっとして）や «혹시 모르니까»（念のため）と一緒に使うと、ぐっと自然な響きになります。 «혹시 모르니까 우산을 가져가요.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 不確実性の表現：「〜かもしれない」 (-(으)ㄹ지도 모르다)

重要な語彙 (5)

궁금하다 (gunggeumhada) to be curious 확실하다 (hwaksilhada) to be certain 결정하다 (gyeoljeonghada) to decide 비가 오다 (biga oda) to rain 늦다 (neutda) to be late

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Review Summary

  • Verb/Adj + -는지
  • Question word + -는지
  • Verb + -(으)ㄹ지
  • Verb + -(으)ㄹ지도 모르다
  • Verb + -(으)ㄹ까 봐

よくある間違い

When expressing uncertainty about a fact, use the polite form 모르겠어요 instead of the plain dictionary form.

Wrong: 그가 올지 모르다.
正解: 그가 올지 모르겠어요.

-(으)ㄹ까 봐 is a clause. It needs an auxiliary verb like 걱정돼요 (I'm worried) or 서둘렀어요 (I hurried) to complete the thought.

Wrong: 비가 올까 봐요.
正解: 비가 올까 봐 걱정돼요.

Maintain consistent politeness levels within your sentences.

Wrong: 누가 오는지 알아?
正解: 누가 오는지 알아요?

このチャプターのルール (5)

1

〜かどうか (-ㄴ/은/는지)

B1
「-ㄴ/은/는지」は、知らないことや疑問に思うことを「〜かどうか」という形で文章の中に入れる魔法の言葉です！ «知る», «聞く», «確認する» などの動詞の前によく使われますよ。
지금 비가 오는지 확인해 봐.
10 例文
2

間接疑問文：～か（どうか）、誰／どこ／いつ（-는지）

B1
「誰が」「どこで」「〜かどうか」という疑問を文の中に組み込む魔法のパーツです。 «알다» (知る) や «궁금하다» (気になる) とセットで使いましょう。
Naeil nalssiga joeunji hwaginhae bwa.
10 例文
3

未来の不確実性：〜するかどうか (-(으)ㄹ지)

B1
未来の不確実なことや迷っていることを、「知らない」「気になる」といった言葉に繋げる時に «-(으)ㄹ지» を使いましょう。
내일 비가 올지 모르겠어요.
10 例文
4

不確実性の表現：「〜かもしれない」 (-(으)ㄹ지도 모르다)

B1
確信はないけれど「ひょっとしたら」という推測や心配を伝えるときに使いましょう。 «혹시» や «추측»、 «걱정» のニュアンスが含まれます。
비가 올지도 모르니까 우산을 챙기세요.
10 例文
5

〜かと心配で (-(으)ㄹ까 봐)

B1
「-(으)ㄹ까 봐」は、心配な状況を防ぐために何か行動した理由を説明するときに使う、とっても便利なフレーズです！
비가 올까 봐 우산을 챙겼어요.
12 例文

Next Steps

You have navigated the complexities of uncertainty beautifully. Keep practicing, and you'll be thinking in Korean in no time!

Write a diary entry using all five grammar patterns.

Continue to: Observations and Deductions

クイック練習 (10)

「寒いかどうか気になります」という正しい文章を選んでください。

正しい文章を選んでください：

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 추울지 궁금해요.
「춥다」はㅂ変則活用をするので、ㅂが「우」に変わって「추울지」となります。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 未来の不確実性：〜するかどうか (-(으)ㄹ지)

「高いかどうか分かりません」という正しい文章を選んでください。

正しい文章を選んでください：

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 비싼지 몰라요.
「비싸다」は形容詞です。母音で終わる形容詞には「-ㄴ지」を付けます。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 間接疑問文：～か（どうか）、誰／どこ／いつ（-는지）

「彼が来るかどうかわかりません」と言うために、空欄を埋めてください。

그 사람이 ___ 모르겠어요. (오다)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 올지
「오다」は母音語幹なので、「-ㄹ지」を付けて未来の不確実さを表します。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 未来の不確実性：〜するかどうか (-(으)ㄹ지)

未来形の間違いを見つけてください。

Find and fix the mistake:

내일 비가 오는지 궁금해요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 내일 비가 올지 궁금해요.
「明日」（내일）のことなので、未来形の-(으)ㄹ지を使うのがより自然です。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 〜かどうか (-ㄴ/은/는지)

過去形の文の間違いを見つけて直してください。

어제 그가 왔을지도 모르요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 어제 그가 왔을지도 몰라요.
「모르다」の丁寧形は「몰라요」です。また「昨日」のことなので過去形「왔-」が必要です。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 不確実性の表現：「〜かもしれない」 (-(으)ㄹ지도 모르다)

食べ物についてのこの文の間違いを見つけて修正してください。

Find and fix the mistake:

음식이 매울까 봐 물을 많이 마셨을 거예요. (Wait, I was worried it's too spicy!)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 매울까 봐 물을 많이 마셨어요.
心配が行動につながることを表現するには、「-(으)ㄹ까 봐」と結果の過去形を使います。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 〜かと心配で (-(으)ㄹ까 봐)

形容詞の場合、正しい文章はどれですか？

I don't know if it is expensive.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 비싼지 몰라요.
形容詞はパッチムがない場合、-ㄴ지を使います（비싸다 → 비싼지）。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 〜かどうか (-ㄴ/은/는지)

遅れることへの心配を表現するために、空欄を埋めてください。

시간이 없어서 ____ 봐 택시를 탔어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 늦을까
話者が心配からタクシーに乗ったので、「늦을까 봐」が正しいパターンです。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 〜かと心配で (-(으)ㄹ까 봐)

「오다」(来る)を正しい形にして空欄を埋めてください。

친구가 언제 ___ 알아요?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 오는지
「오다」は動詞です。現在形では語幹に「-는지」を付けます。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 間接疑問文：～か（どうか）、誰／どこ／いつ（-는지）

「寒いかもしれません」という文として正しいものはどれですか？

Choose the correct sentence for 'It might be cold'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 추울지도 몰라요.
「춥다」はㅂ変則の形容詞です。「추우-」に変化してから「-ㄹ지도 몰라요」が付きます。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 不確実性の表現：「〜かもしれない」 (-(으)ㄹ지도 모르다)

Score: /10

よくある質問 (6)

はい、これは疑問文を他の文章の中に組み込むための節に変換します。ほとんどの場合、「知る」「確認する」「尋ねる」などの動詞の後に続きますよ。
-는지は、全ての現在形の動詞に使います（例： «먹는지» ）。-은지は、子音で終わる形容詞に使います（例： «좋은지» ）。
もちろんです！丁寧さは文の最後の動詞で決まります。 ...가는지 알아요? (丁寧) や ...가는지 아십니까? (フォーマル) のように使い分けます。
カジュアルな会話では、語尾を ...는지 で止めて「〜かなぁ…」と独り言のように言ったり、相手に含みを持たせて質問したりできます。 «이거 맛있는지...»
未来のことや、はっきりしないことについて「〜かどうか」という意味を表します。 «모르다»（知らない）や «궁금하다»（気になる）などの動詞とセットで使います。
はい、違います。条件を表す「もし〜なら」は «-(으)면» を使います。 «-(으)ㄹ지» は「〜するかどうか」という不確実な内容そのものを指します。
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