Advanced Regret: -ㄹ/을 걸 (Should Have)
-(으)ㄹ 걸 with a falling tone to express regret about things you should have done.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use -ㄹ/을 걸 to express regret about a past action you didn't take or wish you had done differently.
- Attach -ㄹ 걸 to verb stems ending in vowels (e.g., 가다 -> 갈 걸).
- Attach -을 걸 to verb stems ending in consonants (e.g., 먹다 -> 먹을 걸).
- Often used with 그랬다 (to have done so) to complete the thought: -ㄹ/을 걸 그랬다.
Overview
-(으)ㄹ 걸 is an advanced Korean grammar pattern primarily used to express regret or self-reproach regarding a past action or inaction. It conveys the sentiment of "I should have done X" or "I shouldn't have done Y." This pattern reflects a speaker's subjective feeling that a different choice in the past would have led to a better outcome. Unlike more objective expressions of necessity or obligation, -(으)ㄹ 걸 is deeply emotional and often implies a private, internal reflection on missed opportunities or mistakes.
While its core meaning is regret, a distinct usage, marked by a rising intonation, transforms it into an expression of conjecture or mild supposition, meaning "I guess/suppose X is true" or "X will probably happen." Mastering this distinction, particularly through intonation, is crucial for B2 learners. This pattern reveals a speaker's current emotional state concerning a past event, highlighting the discrepancy between what happened and what the speaker now believes should have happened.
How This Grammar Works
-(으)ㄹ 걸 is a shortened form of -(으)ㄹ 것을 그랬다 (-(으)ㄹ 것을 그랬어 in casual speech). Deconstructing this longer form provides insight into its meaning. The -(으)ㄹ component is a prospective adnominal ending, used to modify nouns and indicate future or potential actions, similar to "that which will do X." 것 is a dependent noun meaning "thing" or "fact." 을 is the object particle.그랬다 (past tense of 그렇다) means "it was so" or "it turned out that way." Therefore, -(으)ㄹ 것을 그랬다 literally translates to something like, "It was the case that I should have done that thing," or "That which I should have done, it was so." This underlying structure highlights the idea that the chosen action (or inaction) was not ideal, and a different, prospective action (indicated by -(으)ㄹ) should have been the "thing" (것) that occurred.-(으)ㄹ 걸, the essence of this regret is preserved, making it a concise and idiomatic expression. The speaker is reflecting on a past event and wishing they had made a different decision. This pattern inherently carries a subjective and often self-blaming tone.더 일찍 일어날 걸 (I should have woken up earlier) expresses personal regret, not a universal obligation. The nuance of -(으)ㄹ 걸 is rooted in the contrast between what was and what should have been, from the speaker's perspective.-(으)ㄹ 걸 for both regret and conjecture is a significant aspect to understand. When expressing regret, the intonation typically falls at the end (↘). For example, 가지 말 걸 (I shouldn't have gone) implies regret.↗). 지금쯤 도착했을 걸? (He probably arrived by now?) functions as a soft query or a mild guess. This phonetic distinction is crucial for correct interpretation and usage, making -(으)ㄹ 걸 a versatile yet potentially confusing pattern for learners.Formation Pattern
-(으)ㄹ 걸 primarily attaches to verb stems. The choice between ㄹ 걸 and 을 걸 depends on the verb stem's final sound.
-(으)ㄹ 걸 Form | Romanization | Meaning |
ㄹ | Add ㄹ 걸 | 가다 (to go) | 가 | 갈 걸 | gal geol | Should have gone |
ㄹ is already present, it stays) | 놀다 (to play) | 놀 | 놀 걸 | nol geol | Should have played |
을 걸 | 먹다 (to eat) | 먹 | 먹을 걸 | meogeul geol | Should have eaten |
읽다 (to read) | 읽 | 읽을 걸 | ilgeul geol | Should have read |
-(으)ㄹ 걸 is attached, following standard Korean irregular conjugation rules.
ㄷ Irregular Verbs (e.g., 듣다, 걷다): The ㄷ changes to ㄹ when followed by a vowel or ㄹ. Since -(으)ㄹ 걸 starts with 을 (a vowel-initial particle) or ㄹ, these verbs become regular.
듣다 (to listen) → 들을 걸 (Should have listened)
걷다 (to walk) → 걸을 걸 (Should have walked)
ㅂ Irregular Verbs (e.g., 돕다, 춥다): The ㅂ changes to 우 or 오 (for 돕다) when followed by a vowel. For -(으)ㄹ 걸, the ㅂ drops and 우 (오) is added before ㄹ 걸.
돕다 (to help) → 도울 걸 (Should have helped)
춥다 (to be cold) → 추울 걸 (Should have been cold)
ㅅ Irregular Verbs (e.g., 낫다, 짓다): The ㅅ drops when followed by a vowel. For -(으)ㄹ 걸, ㅅ drops and 을 걸 is added.
낫다 (to be better) → 나을 걸 (Should have been better)
짓다 (to build/make) → 지을 걸 (Should have built/made)
르 Irregular Verbs (e.g., 모르다, 부르다): The 르 changes to ㄹ라 or ㄹ러. For -(으)ㄹ 걸, the 르 stem acts like a vowel stem, but an additional ㄹ is inserted, then ㄹ 걸 is attached.
모르다 (to not know) → 모를 걸 (Should have known)
부르다 (to sing/call) → 부를 걸 (Should have sung/called)
Verb stem + 지 말 걸 is used. 말다 means "to stop" or "not to do."
가다 (to go) → 가지 말 걸 (Shouldn't have gone)
하다 (to do) → 하지 말 걸 (Shouldn't have done it)
보다 (to see) → 보지 말 걸 (Shouldn't have seen it)
-(으)ㄹ 걸 can be made polite by adding 요 at the end, resulting in -(으)ㄹ 걸요. However, even with 요, the pattern retains a degree of casualness and is less common in highly formal settings than, for example, -(으)면 좋았을 텐데 or -(으)ㄹ 뻔했다 combined with other polite endings.
갈 걸요 (I should have gone, politely)
먹을 걸요 (I should have eaten, politely)
-(으)ㄹ 걸 can occasionally be attached to adjective stems or, very rarely, to nouns, carrying a nuanced meaning of regret that something wasn't a certain way.
더 좋을 걸 (It should have been better / I wish it were better)
예쁠 걸 (It should have been pretty / I wish it were pretty)
Noun + 일 걸.
학생일 걸 (I should have been a student (longer)/I wish I were a student).
When To Use It
-(으)ㄹ 걸 is employed in specific contexts that highlight personal reflection and the speaker's emotional state regarding a past event. Its primary function is to express regret, but it also serves as a distinct form of conjecture.↘):-(으)ㄹ 걸 when you look back at a past action (or inaction) and wish you had done something differently. The situation is usually irreversible, and the regret is typically internal or shared with close acquaintances.- Missed Opportunities: When you realize you passed up a better option.
그때 주식 살 걸.(I should have bought stocks then.) – Reflecting on a missed investment opportunity.그 콘서트 보러 갈 걸.(I should have gone to see that concert.) – Regretting not attending a past event.
- Unwise Decisions: When you regret an action you took.
그 사람 믿지 말 걸.(I shouldn't have trusted that person.) – Expressing regret over trusting someone.어제 너무 늦게 잘 걸.(I should have gone to bed so late yesterday.) – Regretting staying up late.
- Unfulfilled Wishes/If Only: When you wish something had been different.
더 열심히 공부할 걸.(I should have studied harder.) – After receiving poor test results.밥 먹고 올 걸.(I should have eaten before coming.) – Feeling hungry after arriving somewhere without eating.
↗ or -(으)ㄹ 걸요):-(으)ㄹ 걸 shifts its meaning to express a guess, a mild prediction, or a supposition. It suggests that the speaker thinks something is likely true, but without absolute certainty. When used with 요 (-(으)ㄹ 걸요), it softens the conjecture, making it a polite suggestion or a less assertive opinion.- Mild Prediction: Suggesting a likely outcome.
비 올 걸?(It'll probably rain, right?) – Looking at cloudy skies.아마 늦을 걸요.(They'll probably be late.) – Expecting someone's tardiness.
- Supposition about a Present/Past Fact: Guessing about someone's current state or a past event.
지갑을 집에 두고 온 걸?(I guess I left my wallet at home, huh?) – Realizing you don't have your wallet.수진 씨 지금쯤 도착했을 걸요.(Su-jin probably arrived by now.) – Speculating about someone's arrival.
-(으)ㄹ 걸 for regret is deeply embedded in Korean conversational culture, where expressing self-reflection, and sometimes self-criticism, is common. It's an intimate form of expression, typically reserved for internal monologue or close relationships. Using it implies a degree of comfort and shared understanding between speakers.Common Mistakes
-(으)ㄹ 걸. Understanding these common errors and their underlying reasons is crucial for accurate and natural usage.-(으)ㄹ 걸 is identical for both regret and conjecture. The only differentiator in spoken Korean is intonation. Misinterpreting or misapplying the intonation can lead to drastically different meanings.- Regret:
늦잠 자지 말 걸.(I shouldn't have overslept.) - Falling intonation (↘) signifies personal regret over a past action. - Conjecture:
늦잠 잤을 걸?(You probably overslept, didn't you?) - Rising intonation (↗) indicates a guess or supposition, often directed at someone else or a general situation.
았/었:았/었) before -(으)ㄹ 걸, assuming that since they are regretting a past event, the past tense should be explicitly marked. This is incorrect.- Wrong:
갔을 걸.(Meaning, 'I should have gone.') - Correct (Regret):
갈 걸.(I should have gone.) - Correct (Conjecture):
갔을 걸?(He probably went, didn't he?) – Note this is가다 + 았/었 + 을 걸, which is correct for conjecture about a past event, but not for expressing personal regret for a past action. The structure-(으)ㄹ 걸itself inherently refers to a past missed opportunity for regret.
-(으)ㄹ component of -(으)ㄹ 걸 (for regret) is a prospective marker, indicating something that should have been. It doesn't combine with the past tense marker 았/었 to form regret. When 았/었 does appear (e.g., 갔을 걸?), it changes the entire meaning to a conjecture about a past event. The -(으)ㄹ 걸 for regret inherently looks back at a future action that should have occurred but didn't.-(으)ㄹ 걸 is predominantly an informal expression. Even with the polite suffix 요, it maintains a casual tone. Using it in highly formal situations, such as business presentations, academic papers, or formal conversations with superiors, would be inappropriate and could be perceived as disrespectful or too casual.-(으)면 좋았을 텐데, -(으)ㄹ 것 같다). -(으)ㄹ 걸 is inherently personal and reflective, which contrasts with the objective and respectful tone required in formal settings.지 말 걸 vs. 안/못:안 and 못 negate verbs generally, 지 말 걸 is the standard and only natural way to form regret about not having done something (i.e., "I shouldn't have done X") with this pattern.- Correct:
가지 말 걸.(I shouldn't have gone.) - Awkward/Unnatural:
안 갈 걸.or못 갈 걸.
지 말다 is specifically designed for negative commands or suggestions, and this structure extends naturally into the regret pattern to indicate a regretted non-action. 안 and 못 do not function idiomatically with -(으)ㄹ 걸 for this specific nuance of regret.Real Conversations
-(으)ㄹ 걸 is a staple in everyday Korean conversation, reflecting spontaneous thoughts and feelings. Its naturalness shines through in texting, casual dialogue, and self-reflection.
1. Casual Dialogue (Regret):
- Scenario: Two friends are walking, and one forgot her umbrella, now it's raining.
- Friend A: 비 온다! 우산 가져올 걸. (Bi onda! Usan gajyeo-ol geol.) ↘
- Translation: It's raining! I should have brought an umbrella.
- Scenario: A student is regretting not studying enough for an exam.
- Student: 시험 망쳤어. 어제 좀 더 공부할 걸. (Siheom mangcheosseo. Eoje jom deo gongbu-hal geol.) ↘
- Translation: I bombed the exam. I should have studied a bit more yesterday.
- Scenario: Someone ate too much spicy food and is now uncomfortable.
- Person: 아, 너무 매워서 배 아파. 덜 매운 거 먹을 걸. (A, neomu maewoseo bae apa. Deol maeun geo meogeul geol.) ↘
- Translation: Ah, it's so spicy my stomach hurts. I should have eaten something less spicy.
2. Texting/Social Media (Regret & Conjecture):
- Scenario (Regret - Text): After seeing a friend's vacation photos.
- Text: 나도 그때 같이 갈 걸. 후회 중... ㅠㅠ (Nado geuttae gachi gal geol. Huhoe jung... T_T) ↘
- Translation: I should have gone with you then. Regretting it... T_T
- Scenario (Conjecture - Social Media Comment): On a post asking about a store's closing time.
- Comment: 거기 9시까지 할 걸요? (Geogi ahopsi-kkaji hal geolyo?) ↗
- Translation: They probably operate until 9, right? / I guess they operate until 9?
- Scenario (Regret - Self-reflection post): After a minor incident.
- Post: 운전 조심할 걸. 아쉬워라. (Unjeon josim-hal geol. Aswiwora.) ↘
- Translation: I should have driven more carefully. What a pity.
3. Shortened Forms and 그랬어:
While -(으)ㄹ 걸 is often used as a standalone, especially in quick, reactive expressions of regret, it's also common to hear the slightly longer, more complete form -(으)ㄹ 걸 그랬어 in casual conversation. This adds a touch more emphasis or finality to the regret.
- 택시 탈 걸 그랬어. (Taeksi tal geol geuraesseo.) ↘
- Translation: I really should have taken a taxi.
- 그 영화 보지 말 걸 그랬어. (Geu yeonghwa boji mal geol geuraesseo.) ↘
- Translation: I really shouldn't have watched that movie.
These examples demonstrate how -(으)ㄹ 걸 integrates seamlessly into various levels of informal communication, providing a concise and emotionally charged way to express both hindsight and mild prediction.
Quick FAQ
-(으)ㄹ 걸 be used for future regret?Not directly. -(으)ㄹ 걸 expresses regret about a past action or inaction. For expressing worry about a future event or wishing for a different future, other patterns like -(으)면 좋겠다 (I wish it would...) or -(으)ㄹ까 봐 (worried that...) are more appropriate.
-(으)ㄹ 걸 differ from -을/ㄹ 뻔하다 (almost did, but didn't)?These patterns are distinct in meaning.
-(으)ㄹ 걸: Expresses regret that a desired action did not happen in the past. The speaker wishes they had done something different.늦을 걸.(I should have been late.) - This is grammatically ambiguous for regret, typically더 일찍 출발할 걸(I should have departed earlier) implies regret about being late.
-을/ㄹ 뻔하다: Expresses that an undesirable event almost happened but was avoided. There's a sense of relief.늦을 뻔했다.(I almost was late / I nearly was late.) - Implies relief that you weren't actually late.
-(으)ㄹ 걸 only for actions (verbs)?Predominantly, yes, it expresses regret about a verb. However, as noted in the formation section, it can occasionally be used with adjectives (e.g., 더 좋을 걸 - I wish it were better) and very rarely with nouns, though these usages are less common and carry a slightly different nuance.
-(으)ㄹ 걸 and -았/었어야 했다?This is a crucial distinction for B2 learners.
-(으)ㄹ 걸: Expresses subjective, personal regret or self-reproach about a past action/inaction. It's emotional and often a private thought. It highlights the speaker's feeling that a different choice would have been better.공부할 걸.(I should have studied.) - Pure, personal regret; a feeling.
-았/었어야 했다: Expresses an objective necessity or obligation that should have been fulfilled in the past. It can also imply a factual statement about what was required or the general expectation. It doesn't necessarily carry the same emotional weight of personal regret as-(으)ㄹ 걸.공부했어야 했다.(I had to study / I should have studied.) - This can be a factual statement (e.g., it was a requirement) or a less personal acknowledgment of a missed obligation.
-(으)ㄹ 걸 be used in questions?Yes, but only in its conjecture form with a rising intonation (-(으)ㄹ 걸?). When used this way, it functions as a rhetorical question or a soft query seeking confirmation for a guess.
벌써 끝났을 걸?(It's probably already finished, isn't it?)
너 어제 올 걸? to mean "Do you regret coming yesterday?"). To ask about someone else's regret, you would use other structures, such as 후회돼? (Are you regretting it?) or ~을 걸 그랬다고 생각하니? (Do you think you should have ~?).Conjugation Table
| Verb | Stem | Ending | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
|
가다
|
가
|
ㄹ 걸
|
갈 걸
|
|
먹다
|
먹
|
을 걸
|
먹을 걸
|
|
하다
|
하
|
ㄹ 걸
|
할 걸
|
|
읽다
|
읽
|
을 걸
|
읽을 걸
|
|
자다
|
자
|
ㄹ 걸
|
잘 걸
|
|
보다
|
보
|
ㄹ 걸
|
볼 걸
|
Casual Contractions
| Full Form | Casual Form |
|---|---|
|
갈 걸 그랬어요
|
갈 걸!
|
Meanings
This grammar expresses a feeling of regret or a wish that one had acted differently in the past.
Personal Regret
Expressing a wish that one had performed a specific action.
“공부를 더 열심히 할 걸 그랬어요.”
“그 영화를 볼 걸 그랬어요.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Verb + ㄹ/을 걸
|
먹을 걸
|
|
Negative
|
Verb + 지 말 걸
|
가지 말 걸
|
|
Full Sentence
|
Verb + ㄹ/을 걸 그랬다
|
먹을 걸 그랬어요
|
|
Past Regret
|
Verb + 았/었을 걸
|
했었을 걸
|
|
Question
|
Verb + ㄹ/을 걸 그랬나요?
|
갈 걸 그랬나요?
|
|
Short Answer
|
Verb + ㄹ/을 걸
|
살 걸
|
Formality Spectrum
공부할 걸 그랬습니다. (Exam results.)
공부할 걸 그랬어요. (Exam results.)
공부할 걸. (Exam results.)
공부할 걸 그랬네. (Exam results.)
Regret Flow
Actions
- 먹다 eat
Examples by Level
갈 걸 그랬어요.
I should have gone.
더 잘 걸 그랬어요.
I should have slept more.
그 말을 하지 말 걸 그랬어요.
I should not have said that.
진작에 알았더라면 좋을 걸 그랬어요.
It would have been good if I had known earlier.
그때 그 제안을 받아들일 걸 그랬나 봐요.
I guess I should have accepted that offer back then.
차라리 침묵을 지킬 걸 그랬다는 생각이 드네요.
I find myself thinking I should have just kept silent.
Easily Confused
Both express past regret.
Common Mistakes
먹을 걸 했다
먹을 걸 그랬어요
먹었을 걸
먹을 걸
먹어야 할 걸
먹을 걸
먹었어야 할 걸
먹을 걸
Sentence Patterns
___할 걸 그랬어요.
Real World Usage
아, 살 걸!
Context matters
Smart Tips
Add 그랬어요 for politeness.
Pronunciation
Liaison
The ㄹ sound carries over.
Falling
갈 걸↘
Resignation.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Girl' (걸) who is looking back at her past choices.
Visual Association
Imagine a person standing at a fork in the road, looking back at the path they didn't take.
Rhyme
I didn't do it, I feel the swirl, I should have done it, use -ㄹ/을 걸.
Story
Min-su didn't buy the lottery ticket. He saw the winner on TV. He sighed, '살 걸!' (I should have bought it).
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 things you regret not doing today using -ㄹ/을 걸.
Cultural Notes
Koreans use this to show humility and self-reflection.
Derived from the future tense modifier -ㄹ/을 and the noun 걸 (thing/fact).
Conversation Starters
오늘 후회되는 일이 있어요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
공부를 더 ( ) 걸 그랬어요.
Score: /1
Practice Exercises
1 exercises공부를 더 ( ) 걸 그랬어요.
Score: /1
Practice Bank
12 exercises더 일찍 ___ (자다).
Arrange the words.
Which one expresses regret?
Translate into Korean (informal).
보지 안 할 걸.
Match correctly.
운동 ___ (하다).
What do you say?
Translate.
한국어를 더 열심히 ___ (배우다).
Arrange the words.
Select the regret for an action you committed.
Score: /12
FAQ (1)
No, it is strictly for the past.
Scaffolded Practice
1
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Debería haber...
Spanish uses auxiliary verbs.
J'aurais dû...
French is more formal.
Hätte sollen...
German is more rigid.
〜すればよかった
Japanese uses a conditional base.
早知道...就...
Chinese is adverbial.
كان يجب أن...
Arabic focuses on obligation.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
Formal 'By' Agent (-에 의해)
Overview In Korean, expressing agency – the 'by' in 'done by' – isn't a one-size-fits-all matter as it often is in Engli...
Based On: -을/를 바탕으로
Overview In Korean, expressing that an action, creation, or judgment is **based on** a particular source is crucial for...
The 'Double Passive' Vibe (Advanced Causative Passive)
Overview Korean, like many languages, employs grammatical mechanisms to shift focus within a sentence. The **Double Pass...
The Inference Ending: It looks like... (-나/는가 보다)
Overview As you navigate the complexities of B2-level Korean, you encounter grammar that allows for more nuanced express...
Expressing Shock: -다니 (How Could...)
Overview **-다니** (romanized: -dani) is an upper-intermediate (B2) Korean grammar pattern used to express strong surpr...
