B1 Expressions & Patterns 12 min read Easy

Worried That... (-(으)ㄹ까 봐)

Use -(으)ㄹ까 봐 to explain an action taken to prevent a situation you are worried might happen.

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use -(으)ㄹ까 봐 to express worry or concern about a potential future event or state.

  • Attach -을까 봐 to verb stems ending in a consonant (e.g., 먹을까 봐).
  • Attach -ㄹ까 봐 to verb stems ending in a vowel (e.g., 갈까 봐).
  • It implies you are taking an action because you fear the outcome mentioned.
Verb stem + (으)ㄹ까 봐 = Worried that [Verb] might happen

Overview

In Korean, the grammar pattern -(으)ㄹ까 봐 [-(eu)l-kka bwa] expresses concern or worry about a potential negative outcome, often prompting a preventative action. It conveys the sentiment of "worried that...", "in case...", or "lest..." in English. This structure is fundamentally about anticipating an undesirable future event and either taking steps to avert it or simply articulating that apprehension.

The core of this pattern lies in the subjective perception of a potential problem, distinguishing it from purely objective statements of cause and effect.

Linguistically, -(으)ㄹ까 봐 combines the future conjectural ending -(으)ㄹ까 (indicating a question or supposition about a future event) with the verb 보다 (to see/look), here functioning as (an informal conjugation). This implies "seeing" or "considering" a potential scenario. Therefore, the pattern literally translates to "(I) see/consider (the possibility) that (something) might happen (and I am worried about it)." This inherent subjectivity makes it a powerful tool for expressing personal anxieties and their influence on one's actions or state of mind.

Consider the difference: simply stating a reason uses patterns like -(으)니까 or -아/어서. However, -(으)ㄹ까 봐 specifically introduces a layer of fear or concern regarding that reason. For instance, 비가 오니까 우산을 가져왔어요 (I brought an umbrella because it's raining) states a fact.

In contrast, 비가 올까 봐 우산을 가져왔어요 (I brought an umbrella because I was worried it might rain) highlights the speaker's proactive measure driven by an anticipated, but not yet certain, negative event. This pattern is common in daily communication, revealing the speaker's inner thought process and emotional state.

How This Grammar Works

-(으)ㄹ까 봐 primarily functions in two ways: as a connective clause leading to a subsequent action, or as a sentence-ending expression of worry. The specific role often dictates whether a preventative action is explicitly stated.
When used as a connective clause, -(으)ㄹ까 봐 signifies that the concern expressed in the first clause directly motivates the action in the second clause. The subject of the worry (-(으)ㄹ까 봐) can be the speaker or another entity, but the subject of the action that follows is almost exclusively the speaker. This demonstrates a personal response to an anticipated problem.
For example, 늦을까 봐 택시를 탔어요 (I took a taxi because I was worried I'd be late). Here, the worry about being late (늦을까 봐) directly causes the action of taking a taxi (택시를 탔어요). The action is a countermeasure to prevent the feared outcome.
  • 감기에 걸릴까 봐 옷을 따뜻하게 입었어요. (I dressed warmly because I was worried I might catch a cold.)
  • 길을 잃을까 봐 지도를 미리 봤어요. (I looked at the map beforehand because I was worried I might get lost.)
  • 음식이 식을까 봐 빨리 먹었어요. (I ate quickly because I was worried the food might get cold.)
When -(으)ㄹ까 봐 is used as a sentence-ending expression, often with the polite ending -요 as -(으)ㄹ까 봐요, it simply conveys the speaker's current state of worry or concern without necessarily detailing a preventative action. It acts as an internal monologue shared externally, expressing a subjective feeling. This usage is highly common in casual conversation and texting, adding a touch of personal vulnerability.
It implies the worry exists, but the action taken (or not taken) might be implicit or yet to be decided.
  • 시험에 떨어질까 봐요. (I'm worried I might fail the exam.)
  • 비가 올까 봐요. (I'm worried it might rain.)
  • 친구가 실망할까 봐요. (I'm worried my friend might be disappointed.)
The component, derived from 보다 (to see), adds a dimension of cognitive processing to the worry. It's not just a vague feeling but a recognition or consideration of a potential negative scenario. This distinguishes it from other expressions of possibility, injecting a clear emotional tone of apprehension into the statement.

Formation Pattern

1
The formation of -(으)ㄹ까 봐 is dependent on whether the verb or adjective stem ends in a vowel or a consonant. The pattern attaches to the verb or adjective stem.
2
| Stem Ending | Rule | Example (Verb: 가다 - to go) | Example (Adj: 좋다 - to be good) |
3
| :---------------- | :------------------------ | :------------------------------ | :-------------------------------- |
4
| Vowel | Stem + -ㄹ까 봐 | 가다갈까 봐 | N/A |
5
| Consonant | Stem + -을까 봐 | 먹다먹을까 봐 | 좋다좋을까 봐 |
6
| (liquid) | Stem + -까 봐 | 만들다만들까 봐 | N/A |
7
Detailed Application:
8
For verb/adjective stems ending in a vowel:
9
Attach -ㄹ까 봐
10
Example: 자다 (to sleep) → 잘까 봐 (worried I might sleep)
11
Example: 싸다 (to be cheap) → 쌀까 봐 (worried it might be cheap/too cheap)
12
For verb/adjective stems ending in a consonant (other than ):
13
Attach -을까 봐
14
Example: 읽다 (to read) → 읽을까 봐 (worried I might read/someone might read)
15
Example: 춥다 (to be cold) → 추울까 봐 (worried it might be cold) - Note irregular!
16
For verb/adjective stems ending in :
17
The is retained, and you simply attach -까 봐.
18
Example: 살다 (to live) → 살까 봐 (worried I might live/someone might live)
19
Example: 멀다 (to be far) → 멀까 봐 (worried it might be far)
20
Past Tense Worry:
21
To express worry about something that might have already happened or might have been done, use the structure -았/었을까 봐.
22
잊다 (to forget) → 잊었을까 봐 (worried that they might have forgotten already)
23
늦다 (to be late) → 늦었을까 봐 (worried that I might have been late already)
24
거짓말하다 (to lie) → 거짓말했을까 봐 (worried that I might have lied/they might have lied)
25
Noun + -(이)ㄹ까 봐:
26
This pattern can also be used with nouns by attaching -일까 봐 (for nouns ending in a consonant) or ~ㄹ까 봐 (for nouns ending in a vowel) to express worry that something might be a certain noun or state.
27
실수 (mistake) → 실수일까 봐 (worried it might be a mistake)
28
비밀 (secret) → 비밀일까 봐 (worried it might be a secret)
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도둑 (thief) → 도둑일까 봐 (worried it might be a thief)
30
Optional :
31
Sometimes you might encounter -(으)ㄹ까 봐서. The addition of provides a slightly stronger sense of explicit reason, similar to -아/어서. However, in casual speech, it is often omitted without changing the core meaning. -(으)ㄹ까 봐 is generally more common.

When To Use It

-(으)ㄹ까 봐 is highly versatile for expressing anxieties and the preventative measures taken because of them. It is particularly apt in situations where you are anticipating an undesirable future outcome and your actions are a direct consequence of this apprehension. This pattern is less about objective causation and more about subjective, emotion-driven decision-making.
  1. 1Taking Precautions: When you perform an action specifically to avoid a potential negative situation. This is perhaps its most common usage.
  • 혹시나 차가 막힐까 봐 일찍 출발했어요. (I departed early in case the traffic might be heavy.)
  • 배탈 날까 봐 매운 음식은 안 먹었어요. (I didn't eat spicy food because I was worried I might get a stomach ache.)
  • 깜빡 잊을까 봐 메모해 두었어요. (I made a memo because I was worried I might forget.)
  1. 1Explaining Hesitation or Inaction: When you want to clarify why you didn't do something, or why you are reluctant to act, due to a perceived risk or concern.
  • 괜히 폐가 될까 봐 연락 안 했어요. (I didn't contact them because I was worried I might bother them for no reason.)
  • 상대방이 부담스러워할까 봐 말을 못 했어요. (I couldn't speak because I was worried the other person might feel burdened.)
  • 실수할까 봐 망설였어요. (I hesitated because I was worried I might make a mistake.)
  1. 1Expressing General Worry (Sentence End): To convey a present state of anxiety or concern about a future possibility, often in a conversational context.
  • 아이가 감기에 걸릴까 봐 걱정이에요. (I'm worried my child might catch a cold.)
  • 결과가 안 좋을까 봐 두려워요. (I'm afraid the results might not be good.)
  • 친구가 저를 미워할까 봐요. (I'm worried my friend might hate me.)
  1. 1Social Considerations: This pattern is frequently used to express consideration for others, fearing that one's actions might inconvenience or upset them. It highlights a common Korean cultural trait of being mindful of others' feelings.
  • 늦게까지 깨어 있을까 봐 문자 안 보냈어요. (I didn't send a text because I was worried you might still be awake late.)
  • 다른 사람들이 시끄러워할까 봐 조용히 했어요. (I was quiet because I was worried other people might find it noisy.)
  1. 1Hypothetical Scenarios (with a negative implication): While it doesn't directly form hypotheses, it can be part of a larger conditional structure where the condition is a worried thought.
  • 혹시 불이 날까 봐 가스밸브를 잠갔어요. (I turned off the gas valve in case there might be a fire.)
In essence, whenever your actions or inactions are motivated by the desire to prevent an undesirable outcome, -(으)ㄹ까 봐 is the appropriate and natural choice. It injects a sense of cautious foresight and personal engagement into your statement.

Common Mistakes

Learners often encounter specific challenges when using -(으)ㄹ까 봐 due to its nuanced meaning and structural requirements. Avoiding these common errors will significantly improve your fluency and naturalness.
  1. 1Using for Desired Outcomes: The most critical mistake is using -(으)ㄹ까 봐 for positive or desired outcomes. This pattern is exclusively for negative or undesirable possibilities. You cannot say 복권에 당첨될까 봐 돈을 안 썼어요 (I didn't spend money because I was worried I might win the lottery) unless winning the lottery is, for some specific reason, a problem for you (e.g., tax implications, unwanted attention). For positive outcomes, use expressions like -(으)면 좋겠다 (I wish/hope...) or -(으)ㄹ까 하다 (I am thinking of doing...). If you hope for rain, you would say 비가 왔으면 좋겠어요, not 비가 올까 봐요.
  1. 1Confusing the Subject of Worry and Action: While the subject of the worry (-(으)ㄹ까 봐 clause) can sometimes be distinct from the speaker (e.g., 친구가 실망할까 봐), the subject of the preventative action in the second clause must almost always be the speaker. You cannot say 나는 그가 늦을까 봐 그가 택시를 탔어요 (I was worried he'd be late, so he took a taxi). This is grammatically incorrect in Korean for this structure. The correct form would be 그가 늦을까 봐 내가 걱정돼서 택시를 타라고 했어요 (I was worried he'd be late, so I told him to take a taxi). The action (내가 택시를 타라고 했어요) must be performed by the worried party.
  1. 1Misapplying Irregular Verbs: Remember to apply irregular verb rules correctly before attaching -(으)ㄹ까 봐.
Incorrect
irregular: 춥다 (to be cold)
추울까 봐 (NOT 춥을까 봐)
irregular: 듣다 (to listen)
들을까 봐 (NOT 듣을까 봐)
irregular: 낫다 (to get better)
나을까 봐 (NOT 낫을까 봐)
irregular: 모르다 (to not know)
모를까 봐 (NOT 모를까 봐 as in 갈까 봐 but often conjugated as 모를까 봐 due to the future conjectural already containing ). The base form of 모르다 naturally leads to 모를까 봐 without special irregular treatment here for the attachment rule.
  1. 1Overuse and Tone: While -(으)ㄹ까 봐 is common, overusing it can make you sound overly anxious or indecisive. Use it judiciously to reflect genuine concern. A balanced conversational style incorporates various conjunctions and expressions of reason.
  1. 1Confusing with -(으)ㄹ지도 모르다: While both express possibility, -(으)ㄹ지도 모르다 means "might/may happen" and indicates uncertainty without the inherent "worry" component. -(으)ㄹ까 봐 explicitly includes the emotional state of apprehension. Compare 비가 올지도 몰라서 우산을 가져왔어요 (I brought an umbrella because it might rain – neutral possibility) with 비가 올까 봐 우산을 가져왔어요 (I brought an umbrella because I was worried it might rain – with concern).

Real Conversations

-(으)ㄹ까 봐 is deeply embedded in everyday Korean conversation, reflecting genuine human concerns and proactive thinking. It appears in various registers, from casual texts to more polite daily interactions.

1. Casual Text Message (해체):

- A: 영화 볼까? (Shall we watch a movie?)

- B: 응, 근데 너무 늦을까 봐 좀 걱정돼. (Yeah, but I'm a bit worried it might be too late.)

- A: 그럼 다음 주에 볼까? 피곤할까 봐. (Then shall we watch it next week? In case you're tired.)

O

Observation

* Here, 피곤할까 봐 is a standalone expression of concern for the other person, implying an alternative solution (next week) to prevent the negative outcome (friend being tired).

2. Polite Conversation (해요체):

- Student: 선생님, 제가 질문 하나 해도 될까요? (Teacher, may I ask a question?)

- Teacher: 네, 하세요. (Yes, please do.)

- Student: 혹시 제가 실수할까 봐 걱정돼서요. 제대로 이해했는지 모르겠어요. (I'm worried I might make a mistake, so I'm not sure if I understood it correctly.)

O

Observation

* The student uses 실수할까 봐 걱정돼서요 to politely explain their hesitation, showing self-awareness and respect for the teacher.

3. Work Context (Polite or 하십시오체 - often implied in action):

- 사장님께서 싫어하실까 봐 미리 보고서를 제출했습니다. (I submitted the report in advance because I was worried the boss might dislike it.)

- 혹시나 잊어버릴까 봐 중요한 내용은 메모해두었습니다. (I wrote down the important details in case I might forget.)

O

Observation

* In professional settings, this pattern often justifies a proactive action taken to avoid potential negative consequences from superiors or colleagues.

4. Internal Monologue / Self-justification (해체):

- 너무 많이 시켰나? 음식 남길까 봐 걱정되네. (Did I order too much? I'm worried I might leave food over.)

- 친구가 기분 나쁠까 봐 솔직히 말 못 했어. (I couldn't speak honestly because I was worried my friend might feel bad.)

O

Observation

* This demonstrates how the pattern is used to explain one's inner thoughts and the reasons behind certain decisions or hesitations.

Quick FAQ

Q: Is -(으)ㄹ까 봐 always followed by an action?

Not always. While it frequently precedes a preventative action, it can also be used as a sentence-ending expression (e.g., 비가 올까 봐요) to simply state one's current worry without detailing an immediate action. The context usually clarifies whether an action is implied or explicitly stated.

Q: Can I use this for other people's worries?

You typically use -(으)ㄹ까 봐 for your own worry that influences your own action. To describe someone else's worry, you would generally use a reporting clause (~라고 걱정했어요/~라고 염려했어요) or state their worry explicitly: 친구가 시험에 떨어질까 봐 걱정해요 (My friend is worried they might fail the exam). The direct -(으)ㄹ까 봐 without a reporting verb tends to imply the speaker's own concern.

Q: What's the difference between -(으)ㄹ까 봐 and -(으)ㄹ 것 같아서?

Both express possibility/conjecture as a reason. However, -(으)ㄹ까 봐 specifically implies worry or apprehension about a potential negative outcome. -(으)ㄹ 것 같아서 (because it seems like/I think it will...) is more neutral, indicating a general prediction or estimation without necessarily carrying a negative emotional tone. For example, 비가 올 것 같아서 우산을 가져왔어요 (I brought an umbrella because it seems like it will rain) is a neutral observation, while 비가 올까 봐 우산을 가져왔어요 (I brought an umbrella because I was worried it might rain) adds the emotional layer of worry.

Q: Can -(으)ㄹ까 봐 be used with commands or suggestions?

Not directly in the -(으)ㄹ까 봐 clause itself. However, you can express your worry and then make a suggestion or command in the subsequent clause. For example: 추울까 봐 걱정되니까 따뜻하게 입어라/입으세요 (I'm worried you might be cold, so dress warmly). The -(으)ㄹ까 봐 explains the reason for the command/suggestion.

Q: Is the ending necessary for polite speech?

When -(으)ㄹ까 봐 ends a sentence, is added to make it polite (해요체), resulting in -(으)ㄹ까 봐요. In formal situations, the verb following -(으)ㄹ까 봐 would take the appropriate formal ending (하ㅂ니다체), or if it's a standalone expression of worry, you might use a more formal structure like ~할까 봐 염려됩니다.

Q: Are there any specific verbs that are commonly used with this pattern?

Yes, certain verbs frequently appear with -(으)ㄹ까 봐 due to their association with common anxieties. 늦다 (to be late) is a prime example: 늦을까 봐 (worried I might be late). Others include 잊다 (to forget), 아프다 (to be sick), 실수하다 (to make a mistake), 감기에 걸리다 (to catch a cold), 길을 잃다 (to get lost), and 폐를 끼치다 (to cause a nuisance/bother).

Formation of -(으)ㄹ까 봐

Verb Stem Ending Rule Example
Vowel
+ -ㄹ까 봐
가다 → 갈까 봐
Consonant
+ -을까 봐
먹다 → 먹을까 봐
ㄹ-final
+ -까 봐
살다 → 살까 봐
Irregular (ㄷ)
ㄷ→ㄹ + -을까 봐
듣다 → 들을까 봐
Irregular (ㅂ)
ㅂ→우 + -ㄹ까 봐
춥다 → 추울까 봐

Common Variations

Full Form Slightly More Formal
-(으)ㄹ까 봐
-(으)ㄹ까 봐서

Meanings

This pattern expresses that the speaker is performing an action or feeling a certain way because they are worried about a potential future outcome.

1

Anticipatory Worry

Expressing concern about a future event to justify a current action.

“늦을까 봐 택시를 탔어요.”

“시험에 떨어질까 봐 걱정돼요.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Worried That... (-(으)ㄹ까 봐)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Verb + (으)ㄹ까 봐
비가 올까 봐
Negative
안 + Verb + (으)ㄹ까 봐
안 올까 봐
Question
Verb + (으)ㄹ까 봐요?
비가 올까 봐요?
Past Tense (Action)
N/A
Not applicable
Descriptive
Adj + (으)ㄹ까 봐
추울까 봐
Formal
-(으)ㄹ까 봐서
비가 올까 봐서

Formality Spectrum

Formal
늦을까 봐 걱정됩니다.

늦을까 봐 걱정됩니다. (Being late for an appointment.)

Neutral
늦을까 봐 걱정돼요.

늦을까 봐 걱정돼요. (Being late for an appointment.)

Informal
늦을까 봐 걱정돼.

늦을까 봐 걱정돼. (Being late for an appointment.)

Slang
늦을까 봐 쫄려.

늦을까 봐 쫄려. (Being late for an appointment.)

The Logic of Worry

-(으)ㄹ까 봐

Action

  • 우산을 챙기다 Bring umbrella

Fear

  • 비가 오다 Rain might fall

Examples by Level

1

비가 올까 봐요.

I'm worried it might rain.

2

늦을까 봐요.

I'm worried I'll be late.

3

아플까 봐요.

I'm worried I'll get sick.

4

실수할까 봐요.

I'm worried I'll make a mistake.

1

비가 올까 봐 우산을 챙겼어요.

I brought an umbrella because I was worried it might rain.

2

시험에 떨어질까 봐 걱정돼요.

I'm worried I might fail the test.

3

길을 잃을까 봐 지도를 봤어요.

I looked at the map because I was worried I'd get lost.

4

사람들이 볼까 봐 숨었어요.

I hid because I was worried people might see me.

1

아기가 깰까 봐 조용히 걸었어요.

I walked quietly because I was worried the baby might wake up.

2

상사가 화낼까 봐 보고서를 다시 썼어요.

I rewrote the report because I was worried my boss would get angry.

3

음식이 상할까 봐 냉장고에 넣었어요.

I put the food in the fridge because I was worried it might spoil.

4

비밀이 들킬까 봐 아무에게도 말 안 했어요.

I didn't tell anyone because I was worried the secret would be discovered.

1

예산이 부족할까 봐 미리 계획을 세웠습니다.

I made a plan in advance because I was worried the budget might be insufficient.

2

데이터가 손실될까 봐 백업을 해두었어요.

I backed it up because I was worried the data might be lost.

3

오해가 생길까 봐 직접 만나서 이야기했어요.

I met in person to talk because I was worried a misunderstanding might arise.

4

교통이 막힐까 봐 일찍 출발했어요.

I left early because I was worried about traffic congestion.

1

그가 진실을 알게 될까 봐 내내 불안해했다.

He was anxious the whole time, worried that he might find out the truth.

2

시장이 폭락할까 봐 투자자들이 주식을 매도했다.

Investors sold their stocks, worried that the market might crash.

3

건물이 붕괴될까 봐 주민들이 대피했다.

Residents evacuated, worried that the building might collapse.

4

정체성이 흔들릴까 봐 그는 고향을 떠나지 않았다.

He didn't leave his hometown, worried that his identity might be shaken.

1

역사가 반복될까 봐 우리는 끊임없이 과거를 성찰해야 한다.

We must constantly reflect on the past, worried that history might repeat itself.

2

기술적 결함이 드러날까 봐 사측은 발표를 미루었다.

The company delayed the announcement, worried that technical flaws might be revealed.

3

여론이 악화될까 봐 정치권은 신중한 태도를 보였다.

The political sphere showed a cautious attitude, worried that public opinion might worsen.

4

관습이 퇴색될까 봐 노인들은 전통을 고수하려 애썼다.

The elderly tried to stick to traditions, worried that customs might fade away.

Easily Confused

Worried That... (-(으)ㄹ까 봐) vs -(으)ㄹ까 하다

Both use the same stem, but one is for fear, one for intention.

Worried That... (-(으)ㄹ까 봐) vs -어서/아서

Both explain reasons.

Worried That... (-(으)ㄹ까 봐) vs -을지도 모르다

Both express uncertainty.

Common Mistakes

비가 올까 봐요.

비가 올까 봐 걱정돼요.

While '봐요' is okay, adding '걱정돼요' clarifies the emotion.

비가 왔다까 봐.

비가 올까 봐.

Never use past tense inside the clause.

비가 올까봐.

비가 올까 봐.

Space is grammatically required.

비가 올까 봐서요.

비가 올까 봐.

The '서' is optional and often unnecessary.

늦을까 봐서 택시를 탔다.

늦을까 봐 택시를 탔다.

Keep it concise.

시험 떨어질까 봐.

시험에 떨어질까 봐.

Need the particle '에'.

아플까 봐 병원에 갔다.

아플까 봐 병원에 갔다.

Correct, but ensure the context is clear.

비가 올까 봐 우산을 썼다.

비가 올까 봐 우산을 챙겼다.

You take the action *before* the event happens.

그가 올까 봐 걱정했다.

그가 올까 봐 걱정했다.

Correct, but ensure the 'fear' is logical.

비가 올까 봐서 걱정했다.

비가 올까 봐 걱정했다.

Redundant '서'.

Sentence Patterns

___(이/가) ___(으)ㄹ까 봐 ___(을/를) 했어요.

___(이/가) ___(으)ㄹ까 봐 걱정돼요.

___(이/가) ___(으)ㄹ까 봐 아무것도 못 했어요.

___(이/가) ___(으)ㄹ까 봐 미리 ___(을/를) 준비했어요.

Real World Usage

Texting very common

자고 있을까 봐 전화 안 했어.

Job Interview common

실수할까 봐 철저히 준비했습니다.

Travel common

길을 잃을까 봐 지도를 샀어요.

Food Delivery occasional

음식이 식을까 봐 빨리 가져왔어요.

Social Media common

사람들이 볼까 봐 비공개로 올렸어요.

Academic common

데이터가 부족할까 봐 추가 조사를 했습니다.

💡

Context is Key

Always ensure the feared event is something that hasn't happened yet.
⚠️

No Past Tense

Never use past tense markers like -았/었 inside the clause.
🎯

Add '서'

Use '-(으)ㄹ까 봐서' if you want to sound slightly more explanatory.
💬

Politeness

Use this to show you are considerate of others' time or feelings.

Smart Tips

Use this pattern to justify your actions.

우산을 챙겼어요. 비가 올까 봐 우산을 챙겼어요.

You can use it for others too.

그가 늦을까 봐요. 그가 늦을까 봐 걱정돼요.

Use the formal ending.

늦을까 봐요. 늦을까 봐 걱정됩니다.

Drop the '서'.

비가 올까 봐서요. 비가 올까 봐요.

Pronunciation

ol-kka-bwa

Linking

The 'ㄹ' in '올까' is pronounced clearly.

Concerned

비가 올까 봐↗

Rising intonation at the end shows genuine worry.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'ㄹ까' as 'Will it?' and '봐' as 'Look/See'. 'Will it happen? I look (and worry)!'

Visual Association

Imagine yourself holding an umbrella tightly while looking at dark clouds, repeating '올까 봐' (Will it come? I'm worried!).

Rhyme

Rain might fall, '올까 봐', I'm worried, I'll bring it, '가져가'.

Story

Min-su is walking to school. He looks at the sky. '비가 올까 봐' (Worried it will rain). He opens his bag. '우산을 챙겼어요' (I packed an umbrella). He is now safe from the rain.

Word Web

걱정하다불안하다조심하다미리대비하다피하다

Challenge

Write 3 sentences about things you are worried about today using this pattern.

Cultural Notes

Koreans use this to show they are considerate of others' feelings, e.g., 'I didn't call because I was worried you were busy.'

The construction combines the prospective suffix -(으)ㄹ까 (questioning/wondering) with the verb 보다 (to see/look).

Conversation Starters

내일 날씨가 어떨까요?

왜 그렇게 서두르세요?

시험 공부 많이 했어요?

왜 그 제안을 거절했어요?

Journal Prompts

Write about a time you prepared for something because you were worried.
Describe a fear you have about the future.
Explain a difficult decision you made to avoid a negative outcome.
Reflect on how your worries have changed over the years.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct


Incorrect

Correct


Incorrect

Correct


Incorrect

Correct

Test Yourself

Fill in the correct form of the verb.

비가 ___ 봐 우산을 챙겼어요. (오다)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 올까 봐
The correct pattern is -(으)ㄹ까 봐.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 늦을까 봐 택시를 탔다.
Past tense inside the clause is incorrect.
Correct the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

비가 왔을까 봐 우산을 챙겼다.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 비가 올까 봐 우산을 챙겼다.
Prospective form is required.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 늦을까 봐 택시를 탔어요
The clause comes before the main action.
Translate to Korean. Translation

I'm worried I'll fail the test.

Answer starts with: 시험에...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 시험에 떨어질까 봐 걱정돼요.
Correct usage of the fear pattern.
Match the verb to the correct form. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 갈까 봐, 먹을까 봐, 잘까 봐
Correct conjugation based on stem ending.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: 왜 일찍 가요? B: ___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 늦을까 봐요.
The question asks for the reason for leaving early due to fear.
Build a sentence with '아기가 깰까 봐'. Sentence Building

Use: 아기가 깰까 봐, 조용히, 걸었어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 아기가 깰까 봐 조용히 걸었어요.
Natural word order.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the correct form of the verb.

비가 ___ 봐 우산을 챙겼어요. (오다)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 올까 봐
The correct pattern is -(으)ㄹ까 봐.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 늦을까 봐 택시를 탔다.
Past tense inside the clause is incorrect.
Correct the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

비가 왔을까 봐 우산을 챙겼다.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 비가 올까 봐 우산을 챙겼다.
Prospective form is required.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

택시를 / 탔어요 / 늦을까 봐

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 늦을까 봐 택시를 탔어요
The clause comes before the main action.
Translate to Korean. Translation

I'm worried I'll fail the test.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 시험에 떨어질까 봐 걱정돼요.
Correct usage of the fear pattern.
Match the verb to the correct form. Match Pairs

Match: 가다, 먹다, 자다

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 갈까 봐, 먹을까 봐, 잘까 봐
Correct conjugation based on stem ending.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: 왜 일찍 가요? B: ___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 늦을까 봐요.
The question asks for the reason for leaving early due to fear.
Build a sentence with '아기가 깰까 봐'. Sentence Building

Use: 아기가 깰까 봐, 조용히, 걸었어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 아기가 깰까 봐 조용히 걸었어요.
Natural word order.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Fill in the blank: Worried about losing the key. Fill in the Blank

열쇠를 ____ 봐 가방에 잘 넣었어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 잃어버릴까
Correct the stem: 먹다 + 을까 봐 Error Correction

너무 많이 먹을까 봐 걱정해요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 먹을까 봐
Reorder the words: rain / worried / umbrella / took Sentence Reorder

올까 / 비가 / 봐 / 챙겼어요 / 우산을

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 비가 올까 봐 우산을 챙겼어요.
Translate: I'm worried it might be expensive. Translation

너무 비쌀까 봐 걱정이에요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I'm worried it might be too expensive.
Select the formal ending. Multiple Choice

선생님이 ____ 봐 일찍 왔어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 기다리실까
Match the worry with the action. Match Pairs

Match the pairs:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 배고플까 봐 - 간식을 샀어요
Past tense worry: Worried they forgot. Fill in the Blank

그 사람이 약속을 ____ 봐 다시 연락했어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 잊었을까
Fix the ending for a polite conversation. Error Correction

비가 올까 봐.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 둘 다 맞아요.
Reorder: Exam / fail / worry / study Sentence Reorder

공부했어요 / 떨어질까 / 시험에 / 봐 / 열심히

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 시험에 떨어질까 봐 열심히 공부했어요.
Which one shows an irregular conjugation? Multiple Choice

Choose the correct form of '돕다' (to help).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 도울까 봐

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

No, you should only use the prospective form (-(으)ㄹ까).

They are interchangeable, but -을까 봐 is more common.

Yes, it works with both action and descriptive verbs.

It can be used in both, depending on the verb ending (e.g., -봐요 vs -봐).

It is a grammatical rule to separate the verb and the auxiliary pattern.

Yes, e.g., 'I'm worried he might be late.'

Yes, it is specifically for fearing a negative outcome.

Use -(으)ㄹ까 하다 instead.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Tener miedo de que + subjunctive

Spanish requires a subjunctive verb form; Korean uses a prospective suffix.

French high

Avoir peur que + subjunctive

French uses a separate verb phrase; Korean uses a suffix.

German moderate

Angst haben, dass...

German is noun-based; Korean is verb-based.

Japanese very_high

〜かと思って

Minimal difference; both are highly idiomatic.

Chinese moderate

担心会...

Chinese uses a main verb; Korean uses a suffix.

Arabic moderate

أخاف أن...

Arabic is a verb-initial phrase; Korean is a suffix.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

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