Future Tense: Will & Going To ((으)ㄹ 거예요)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use the -(으)ㄹ 거예요 ending to express future plans, intentions, or predictions about what will happen.
- If the verb stem ends in a vowel, add -ㄹ 거예요 (e.g., 가다 → 갈 거예요).
- If the verb stem ends in a consonant, add -을 거예요 (e.g., 먹다 → 먹을 거예요).
- If the verb stem ends in 'ㄹ', just add -거예요 (e.g., 만들다 → 만들 거예요).
Overview
When communicating in Korean, articulating future actions, intentions, or predictions is fundamental. The grammatical construct (으)ㄹ 거예요 (-(eu)l geo-ye-yo) serves as the most widely used and versatile expression for the future tense in polite, everyday conversation. Unlike a simple auxiliary verb as in English's "will" or "going to," (으)ㄹ 거예요 integrates a verb into a nominalized form, effectively stating something akin to "it is the thing/fact that [verb] will happen." This structure allows speakers to frame future events not as abstract possibilities, but as established plans or highly probable outcomes, granting a sense of polite certainty.
This pattern is essential for basic communication, covering a broad spectrum of future contexts from personal plans and schedules to predictions about general situations. Mastering (으)ㄹ 거예요 significantly expands a learner's ability to engage in dynamic conversations, moving beyond the immediate present and past. It provides the foundation for discussing upcoming events, expressing personal volition, and making informed guesses, all within a standard and widely understood framework.
Its prevalence makes it a cornerstone of A2-level Korean proficiency.
How This Grammar Works
(으)ㄹ 거예요 goes beyond mere memorization of its application; it requires dissecting its core components and appreciating the underlying Korean linguistic principles. This pattern is a combination of three distinct elements: the adnominal ending (으)ㄹ, the dependent noun 거 (a contracted form of 것), and the polite copula 이에요/예요.- 1
(으)ㄹ(Adnominal Ending): This is a prospective adnominal ending (관형사형 어미gwan-hyeong-sa-hyeong eo-mi), also known as a future noun-modifying form. Its primary function is to transform a verb (or adjective) into a phrase that modifies a subsequent noun. In this specific construction,(으)ㄹattaches to a verb stem to indicate an action that is expected or intended to occur in the future. For example,가다(to go) becomes갈(that will go), and먹다(to eat) becomes먹을(that will eat). It acts as a verbal adjective, describing거.
- 1
거(것-geot, Dependent Noun):거is the shortened, more conversational form of the dependent noun것(의존 명사eui-jon myeong-sa).것itself is a highly versatile noun meaning "thing," "fact," or "matter." Importantly, dependent nouns like것cannot stand alone; they must always be preceded by a modifying clause or phrase. Here,(으)ㄹprovides that modification, making the entire phrase(Verb Stem)-(으)ㄹ 것mean "the thing/fact of [verb]ing in the future." It effectively nominalizes the future action, turning it into a concrete "thing" or "event."
- 1
이에요/예요(Polite Copula): This is the polite form of the Korean copula이다(to be). It attaches to nouns to affirm their identity or state. In the(으)ㄹ 거예요construction, it asserts the existence or truth of the nominalized future action. Thus,(으)ㄹ 것 + 이에요/예요literally translates to "it is the thing/fact that will [verb]." The이에요form is used after consonants, and예요after vowels. Since것ends in a consonant (ㅅ), it theoretically should be것이에요. However, in casual speech and writing, it almost universally contracts to거예요(geo-ye-yo), regardless of whether the preceding(으)ㄹcreates a consonant or vowel sound before거.
Verb Stem + (으)ㄹ + 것 + 이에요/예요 transforms a future action into a noun clause which is then affirmed by the copula. This grammatical mechanism is distinct from English auxiliary verbs and provides (으)ㄹ 거예요 with its characteristic nuance of conveying a future event as an established reality or a strong likelihood, rather than a mere possibility.Formation Pattern
(으)ㄹ 거예요 form follows clear rules primarily determined by the final sound of the verb stem. Consistency in applying these rules, especially with irregular verbs, is crucial for correct usage.
ㄹ 거예요 (-l geo-ye-yo) directly.
가다 (to go) → stem 가 → 가 + ㄹ 거예요 → 갈 거예요 (I will go)
보다 (to see) → stem 보 → 보 + ㄹ 거예요 → 볼 거예요 (I will see)
배우다 (to learn) → stem 배우 → 배우 + ㄹ 거예요 → 배울 거예요 (I will learn)
ㄹ):
ㄹ, you attach 을 거예요 (-eul geo-ye-yo).
먹다 (to eat) → stem 먹 → 먹 + 을 거예요 → 먹을 거예요 (I will eat)
읽다 (to read) → stem 읽 → 읽 + 을 거예요 → 읽을 거예요 (I will read)
찾다 (to find/look for) → stem 찾 → 찾 + 을 거예요 → 찾을 거예요 (I will find/look for)
ㄹ Irregular (Verbs ending in ㄹ in their stem): For verb stems ending in ㄹ (e.g., 살다, 만들다), the ㄹ is retained, and you simply attach 거예요. The existing ㄹ acts as the connector, fulfilling the role of the ㄹ in -(으)ㄹ. You do not add an extra 을.
살다 (to live) → stem 살 → 살 + 거예요 → 살 거예요 (I will live)
만들다 (to make) → stem 만들 → 만들 + 거예요 → 만들 거예요 (I will make)
ㄷ Irregular (Verbs ending in ㄷ in their stem): Verb stems ending in ㄷ (e.g., 듣다, 걷다) change ㄷ to ㄹ when followed by a vowel or a vowel-initial ending like 을.
듣다 (to listen) → stem 듣 → 들 + 을 거예요 → 들을 거예요 (I will listen)
걷다 (to walk) → stem 걷 → 걸 + 을 거예요 → 걸을 거예요 (I will walk)
ㅂ Irregular (Verbs ending in ㅂ in their stem): Verb stems ending in ㅂ (e.g., 춥다, 돕다) change ㅂ to 우 (or 오 for 돕다, 곱다) when followed by a vowel-initial ending like 을.
춥다 (to be cold) → stem 춥 → 추우 + ㄹ 거예요 → 추울 거예요 (It will be cold)
돕다 (to help) → stem 돕 → 도우 + ㄹ 거예요 → 도울 거예요 (I will help)
ㅅ Irregular (Verbs ending in ㅅ in their stem): Verb stems ending in ㅅ (e.g., 낫다, 잇다) drop the ㅅ when followed by a vowel-initial ending like 을.
낫다 (to get better) → stem 낫 → 나 + 을 거예요 → 나을 거예요 (It will get better)
바쁘다 (to be busy) → stem 바쁘 → 바쁠 거예요 (I will be busy)
좋다 (to be good) → stem 좋 → 좋을 거예요 (It will be good)
Conjugation Table
| Verb Type / Stem Ending | Rule | -(으)ㄹ 거예요 (Polite) |
Romanization | -(으)ㄹ 거야 (Casual) |
English Meaning | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| :------------------------ | :----------------------------------- | :--------------------------- | :---------------- | :--------------------------- | :---------------------------- | ||
Vowel (ㅏ, ㅗ, etc.) |
Stem + ㄹ 거예요 |
갈 거예요 |
gal geo-ye-yo |
갈 거야 |
will go | ||
볼 거예요 |
bol geo-ye-yo |
볼 거야 |
will see | ||||
Consonant (except ㄹ) |
Stem + 을 거예요 |
먹을 거예요 |
meog-eul geo-ye-yo |
먹을 거야 |
will eat | ||
읽을 거예요 |
ilg-eul geo-ye-yo |
읽을 거야 |
will read | ||||
ㄹ Irregular |
Stem + 거예요 (keep ㄹ) |
살 거예요 |
sal geo-ye-yo |
살 거야 |
will live | ||
만들 거예요 |
man-deul geo-ye-yo |
만들 거야 |
will make | ||||
ㄷ Irregular |
Stem(ㄷ→ㄹ) + 을 거예요 |
들을 거예요 |
deur-eul geo-ye-yo |
들을 거야 |
will listen | ||
걸을 거예요 |
geor-eul geo-ye-yo |
걸을 거야 |
will walk | ||||
ㅂ Irregular |
Stem(ㅂ→우) + ㄹ 거예요 |
도울 거예요 |
do-ul geo-ye-yo |
도울 거야 |
will help | ||
(돕다 is 오 before 우) |
추울 거예요 |
chu-ul geo-ye-yo |
추울 거야 |
will be cold | |||
ㅅ Irregular |
Stem(ㅅ→Ø) + 을 거예요 |
나을 거예요 |
na-eul geo-ye-yo |
나을 거야 |
will get better | ||
| Adjective (Vowel) | Stem + ㄹ 거예요 |
바쁠 거예요 |
ba-ppeul geo-ye-yo |
바쁠 거야 |
will be busy | ||
| Adjective (Consonant) | Stem + 을 거예요 |
좋을 거예요 |
jo-eul geo-ye-yo |
좋을 거야 |
will be good |
When To Use It
(으)ㄹ 거예요 is the workhorse of future tense expressions in Korean, making it suitable for a wide array of situations. Its polite and somewhat indirect nature allows it to be used comfortably in most social contexts.- 1Expressing Personal Intentions or Plans: This is the most common application, indicating what the speaker intends to do or has planned. It reflects a personal volition or a pre-existing decision.
저는 내일 도서관에 갈 거예요.(Jeo-neun nae-il do-seo-gwan-e gal geo-ye-yo.) - I am going to the library tomorrow.이번 주말에 친구랑 영화를 볼 거예요.(I-beon ju-mal-e chin-gu-rang yeong-hwa-reul bol geo-ye-yo.) - I'm going to watch a movie with a friend this weekend.점심으로 김치찌개를 먹을 거예요.(Jeom-sim-eu-ro gim-chi-jji-gae-reul meog-eul geo-ye-yo.) - I will eat Kimchi stew for lunch.
- 1Making Predictions or Stating Probabilities: When you anticipate an event, predict an outcome, or express a high likelihood of something happening,
(으)ㄹ 거예요is appropriate. This can apply to weather, exam results, or general circumstances.
내일 날씨가 좋을 거예요.(Nae-il nal-ssi-ga jo-eul geo-ye-yo.) - The weather will be good tomorrow.시험이 아마 어려울 거예요.(Si-heom-i a-ma eo-ryeo-ul geo-ye-yo.) - The exam will probably be difficult.곧 비가 올 거예요.(Got bi-ga ol geo-ye-yo.) - It will rain soon.
- 1Asking About Others' Plans or Intentions: In questions, this form politely inquires about what someone else intends to do or predicts will happen.
주말에 뭐 할 거예요?(Ju-mal-e mwo hal geo-ye-yo?) - What are you going to do on the weekend?저녁 식사 뭐 먹을 거예요?(Jeo-nyeok sik-sa mwo meog-eul geo-ye-yo?) - What will you eat for dinner?언제 출발할 거예요?(Eon-je chul-bal-hal geo-ye-yo?) - When will you depart?
- 1General, Polite Future Statements: It serves as the default, neutral future tense in most polite and semi-formal contexts, providing a non-committal yet clear indication of future action or state. This is especially true when
겠might sound too strong or formal, and the present tense might not convey the future intent clearly enough.
다음 달에 한국으로 여행 갈 거예요.(Da-eum dal-e Han-guk-eu-ro yeo-haeng gal geo-ye-yo.) - I will travel to Korea next month.
When Not To Use It
(으)ㄹ 거예요 is not always the best choice for every future-oriented statement. Overusing it can sometimes lead to unnatural or overly indirect phrasing. Understanding its limitations is as important as knowing its applications.- 1For Fixed Schedules or Imminent Events: For events that are pre-scheduled, highly certain, or happening very soon, the present tense
-(아/어)요(-(a/eo)yo) is often more natural, similar to English expressions like "The train leaves at 5 PM."
- Correct:
기차가 다섯 시에 출발해요.(Gi-cha-ga da-seot si-e chul-bal-hae-yo.) - The train departs at 5 o'clock. - Less natural:
기차가 다섯 시에 출발할 거예요.(Implies a prediction rather than a fixed schedule). - Correct:
우리 내일 7시에 만나요.(U-ri nae-il il-gop si-e man-na-yo.) - We are meeting at 7 tomorrow.
- 1For the Speaker's Strong Commitment or Decision Made on the Spot: When you want to express a firm promise or a decision made at the moment of speaking, especially in response to someone else,
-(으)ㄹ게요(-(eu)l ge-yo) is more appropriate.
- Correct:
제가 할게요.(Je-ga hal ge-yo.) - I'll do it (a commitment). - Incorrect/Less appropriate:
제가 할 거예요.(Sounds more like a statement of a prior plan, not a current commitment.)
- 1For Strong Determination or Formal/Distant Predictions: The ending
겠(get) conveys a stronger sense of will, determination, or often appears in very formal or general predictions (like weather forecasts). While(으)ㄹ 거예요is generally strong,겠adds a layer of resolve or authoritative prediction.
- Correct:
반드시 성공하겠습니다!(Ban-deu-si seong-gong-ha-geot-seup-ni-da!) - I will definitely succeed! (Strong determination, formal.) - Less appropriate:
반드시 성공할 거예요!(Still strong, but겠is more emphatic for
Future Tense Conjugation
| Verb | Stem | Ending | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
|
가다
|
가
|
-ㄹ 거예요
|
갈 거예요
|
|
먹다
|
먹
|
-을 거예요
|
먹을 거예요
|
|
만들다
|
만들
|
-거예요
|
만들 거예요
|
|
보다
|
보
|
-ㄹ 거예요
|
볼 거예요
|
|
읽다
|
읽
|
-을 거예요
|
읽을 거예요
|
|
살다
|
살
|
-거예요
|
살 거예요
|
Common Contractions
| Full Form | Spoken Contraction |
|---|---|
|
갈 거예요
|
갈 거예요 (often pronounced '갈꺼예요')
|
Meanings
This grammar structure is used to express future intentions, plans, or predictions. It is the standard way to say 'will' or 'going to' in Korean.
Future Plan
Expressing a personal intention or plan for the future.
“내일 영화를 볼 거예요.”
“한국어를 공부할 거예요.”
Prediction
Making a guess or prediction about a future event.
“내일 비가 올 거예요.”
“재미있을 거예요.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Stem + (으)ㄹ 거예요
|
갈 거예요
|
|
Negative (Short)
|
안 + Verb + (으)ㄹ 거예요
|
안 갈 거예요
|
|
Negative (Long)
|
Verb + 지 않을 거예요
|
가지 않을 거예요
|
|
Question
|
Stem + (으)ㄹ 거예요?
|
갈 거예요?
|
|
Prediction
|
Adjective + (으)ㄹ 거예요
|
좋을 거예요
|
|
Past Intent
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Formality Spectrum
갈 것입니다. (General)
갈 거예요. (General)
갈 거야. (General)
갈게. (General)
Future Tense Usage
Usage
- 계획 Plan
- 예측 Prediction
Examples by Level
내일 학교에 갈 거예요.
I will go to school tomorrow.
밥을 먹을 거예요.
I will eat rice.
공부할 거예요.
I will study.
집에 갈 거예요.
I will go home.
내일 비가 올 거예요.
It will rain tomorrow.
친구를 만날 거예요.
I will meet a friend.
영화를 볼 거예요.
I will watch a movie.
숙제를 안 할 거예요.
I will not do homework.
이번 주말에 서울에 갈 거예요.
I am going to go to Seoul this weekend.
그 식당은 정말 맛있을 거예요.
That restaurant will be really delicious.
내일은 바빠서 못 만날 거예요.
I won't be able to meet because I'm busy tomorrow.
그 사람이 올 거예요?
Will that person come?
다음 달부터 한국어를 더 열심히 공부할 거예요.
I will study Korean harder starting next month.
그 계획은 성공할 거예요.
That plan will succeed.
회의는 2시에 시작할 거예요.
The meeting will start at 2 o'clock.
비행기가 늦게 도착할 거예요.
The plane will arrive late.
그는 분명히 약속을 지킬 거예요.
He will definitely keep his promise.
이 문제는 곧 해결될 거예요.
This problem will be solved soon.
모든 것이 잘 될 거예요.
Everything will turn out well.
그녀는 내일 발표를 할 거예요.
She will give a presentation tomorrow.
역사는 반복될 거예요.
History will repeat itself.
그의 결정은 큰 변화를 가져올 거예요.
His decision will bring about a big change.
우리는 이 난관을 극복할 거예요.
We will overcome this difficulty.
그 결과는 예측하기 어려울 거예요.
The result will be difficult to predict.
Easily Confused
Both express future.
Common Mistakes
갈거예요
갈 거예요
가다을 거예요
갈 거예요
먹을거야
먹을 거예요
할 것이에요
할 거예요
Sentence Patterns
저는 내일 ___을/를 할 거예요.
Real World Usage
내일 봐!
Space is key
Smart Tips
Use -(으)ㄹ 거예요.
Pronunciation
Liaison
The ㄹ sound carries over to the next word.
Rising
갈 거예요?
Questioning
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'ㄹ' as a 'Rolling' ball moving into the future.
Visual Association
Imagine a calendar page flipping forward into the future with a big 'ㄹ' written on it.
Rhyme
Vowel or consonant, don't be shy, add -(으)ㄹ 거예요 to make it fly.
Story
Min-su looks at his calendar. He writes 'Study' on Monday. He says, '공부할 거예요!' Then he looks at the sky, sees clouds, and says, '비가 올 거예요.' He is ready for the future.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 things you will do tomorrow using this grammar.
Cultural Notes
Koreans use this for polite social planning.
Derived from the prospective modifier -(으)ㄹ and the noun 것 (thing).
Conversation Starters
내일 뭐 할 거예요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
저는 내일 한국어를 (공부) ___.
Score: /1
Practice Exercises
1 exercises저는 내일 한국어를 (공부) ___.
Score: /1
Practice Bank
13 exercises이 영화를 꼭 ___.
책을 많이 ___.
내일만날거예요.
Select the correct form for 하다.
음악을 ___.
I am going to sleep.
Match correctly.
나도 ___ (가다).
친구를 / 오늘 / 거예요 / 만날
Which one is INCORRECT?
제가 ___.
Select the stronger form.
Translate to English.
Score: /13
FAQ (1)
It is polite/neutral.
Scaffolded Practice
1
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Ir a + infinitive
Korean uses a suffix, Spanish uses a verb.
Futur proche
Korean is agglutinative.
Werden
Korean is suffix-based.
Tsumori
Korean is more versatile.
Sa- prefix
Korean uses a space.
Hui
Korean conjugates verbs.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
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