Worried That... (-(으)ㄹ까 봐)
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.
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 봐 (an informal conjugation). This 봐 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.-(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.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.)
-(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.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.)
봐 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
-(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.
가다 - to go) | Example (Adj: 좋다 - to be good) |
-ㄹ까 봐 | 가다 → 갈까 봐 | N/A |
-을까 봐 | 먹다 → 먹을까 봐 | 좋다 → 좋을까 봐 |
ㄹ (liquid) | Stem + -까 봐 | 만들다 → 만들까 봐 | N/A |
-ㄹ까 봐
자다 (to sleep) → 잘까 봐 (worried I might sleep)
싸다 (to be cheap) → 쌀까 봐 (worried it might be cheap/too cheap)
ㄹ):
-을까 봐
읽다 (to read) → 읽을까 봐 (worried I might read/someone might read)
춥다 (to be cold) → 추울까 봐 (worried it might be cold) - Note ㅂ irregular!
ㄹ:
ㄹ is retained, and you simply attach -까 봐.
살다 (to live) → 살까 봐 (worried I might live/someone might live)
멀다 (to be far) → 멀까 봐 (worried it might be far)
-았/었을까 봐.
잊다 (to forget) → 잊었을까 봐 (worried that they might have forgotten already)
늦다 (to be late) → 늦었을까 봐 (worried that I might have been late already)
거짓말하다 (to lie) → 거짓말했을까 봐 (worried that I might have lied/they might have lied)
-(이)ㄹ까 봐:
-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.
실수 (mistake) → 실수일까 봐 (worried it might be a mistake)
비밀 (secret) → 비밀일까 봐 (worried it might be a secret)
도둑 (thief) → 도둑일까 봐 (worried it might be a thief)
서:
-(으)ㄹ까 봐서. The addition of 서 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.- 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.)
- 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.)
- 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.)
- 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.)
- 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.)
-(으)ㄹ까 봐 is the appropriate and natural choice. It injects a sense of cautious foresight and personal engagement into your statement.Common Mistakes
-(으)ㄹ까 봐 due to its nuanced meaning and structural requirements. Avoiding these common errors will significantly improve your fluency and naturalness.- 1Using for Desired Outcomes: The most critical mistake is using
-(으)ㄹ까 봐for positive or desired outcomes. This pattern is exclusively for negative or undesirable possibilities. You cannot say복권에 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 say비가 왔으면 좋겠어요, not비가 올까 봐요.
- 1Confusing the Subject of Worry and Action: While the subject of the worry (
-(으)ㄹ까 봐clause) 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 say나는 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 be그가 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.
- 1Misapplying Irregular Verbs: Remember to apply irregular verb rules correctly before attaching
-(으)ㄹ까 봐.
ㅂ irregular: 춥다 (to be cold)추울까 봐 (NOT 춥을까 봐)ㄷ irregular: 듣다 (to listen)들을까 봐 (NOT 듣을까 봐)ㅅ irregular: 낫다 (to get better)나을까 봐 (NOT 낫을까 봐)르 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 ㄹ). The base form of 모르다 naturally leads to 모를까 봐 without special 르 irregular treatment here for the ㄹ attachment rule.- 1Overuse and Tone: While
-(으)ㄹ까 봐is 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.
- 1Confusing with
-(으)ㄹ지도 모르다: While both express possibility,-(으)ㄹ지도 모르다means "might/may happen" and indicates uncertainty without the inherent "worry" component.-(으)ㄹ까 봐explicitly includes the emotional state of apprehension. Compare비가 올지도 몰라서 우산을 가져왔어요(I brought an umbrella because it might rain – neutral possibility) with비가 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.)
Observation
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.)
Observation
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.)
Observation
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.)
Observation
Quick FAQ
-(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.
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.
-(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.
-(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.
요 ending necessary for polite speech?When -(으)ㄹ까 봐 ends a sentence, 요 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.
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.
Anticipatory Worry
Expressing concern about a future event to justify a current action.
“늦을까 봐 택시를 탔어요.”
“시험에 떨어질까 봐 걱정돼요.”
Reference Table
| 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
늦을까 봐 걱정됩니다. (Being late for an appointment.)
늦을까 봐 걱정돼요. (Being late for an appointment.)
늦을까 봐 걱정돼. (Being late for an appointment.)
늦을까 봐 쫄려. (Being late for an appointment.)
The Logic of Worry
Action
- 우산을 챙기다 Bring umbrella
Fear
- 비가 오다 Rain might fall
Examples by Level
비가 올까 봐요.
I'm worried it might rain.
늦을까 봐요.
I'm worried I'll be late.
아플까 봐요.
I'm worried I'll get sick.
실수할까 봐요.
I'm worried I'll make a mistake.
비가 올까 봐 우산을 챙겼어요.
I brought an umbrella because I was worried it might rain.
시험에 떨어질까 봐 걱정돼요.
I'm worried I might fail the test.
길을 잃을까 봐 지도를 봤어요.
I looked at the map because I was worried I'd get lost.
사람들이 볼까 봐 숨었어요.
I hid because I was worried people might see me.
아기가 깰까 봐 조용히 걸었어요.
I walked quietly because I was worried the baby might wake up.
상사가 화낼까 봐 보고서를 다시 썼어요.
I rewrote the report because I was worried my boss would get angry.
음식이 상할까 봐 냉장고에 넣었어요.
I put the food in the fridge because I was worried it might spoil.
비밀이 들킬까 봐 아무에게도 말 안 했어요.
I didn't tell anyone because I was worried the secret would be discovered.
예산이 부족할까 봐 미리 계획을 세웠습니다.
I made a plan in advance because I was worried the budget might be insufficient.
데이터가 손실될까 봐 백업을 해두었어요.
I backed it up because I was worried the data might be lost.
오해가 생길까 봐 직접 만나서 이야기했어요.
I met in person to talk because I was worried a misunderstanding might arise.
교통이 막힐까 봐 일찍 출발했어요.
I left early because I was worried about traffic congestion.
그가 진실을 알게 될까 봐 내내 불안해했다.
He was anxious the whole time, worried that he might find out the truth.
시장이 폭락할까 봐 투자자들이 주식을 매도했다.
Investors sold their stocks, worried that the market might crash.
건물이 붕괴될까 봐 주민들이 대피했다.
Residents evacuated, worried that the building might collapse.
정체성이 흔들릴까 봐 그는 고향을 떠나지 않았다.
He didn't leave his hometown, worried that his identity might be shaken.
역사가 반복될까 봐 우리는 끊임없이 과거를 성찰해야 한다.
We must constantly reflect on the past, worried that history might repeat itself.
기술적 결함이 드러날까 봐 사측은 발표를 미루었다.
The company delayed the announcement, worried that technical flaws might be revealed.
여론이 악화될까 봐 정치권은 신중한 태도를 보였다.
The political sphere showed a cautious attitude, worried that public opinion might worsen.
관습이 퇴색될까 봐 노인들은 전통을 고수하려 애썼다.
The elderly tried to stick to traditions, worried that customs might fade away.
Easily Confused
Both use the same stem, but one is for fear, one for intention.
Both explain reasons.
Both express uncertainty.
Common Mistakes
비가 올까 봐요.
비가 올까 봐 걱정돼요.
비가 왔다까 봐.
비가 올까 봐.
비가 올까봐.
비가 올까 봐.
비가 올까 봐서요.
비가 올까 봐.
늦을까 봐서 택시를 탔다.
늦을까 봐 택시를 탔다.
시험 떨어질까 봐.
시험에 떨어질까 봐.
아플까 봐 병원에 갔다.
아플까 봐 병원에 갔다.
비가 올까 봐 우산을 썼다.
비가 올까 봐 우산을 챙겼다.
그가 올까 봐 걱정했다.
그가 올까 봐 걱정했다.
비가 올까 봐서 걱정했다.
비가 올까 봐 걱정했다.
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
자고 있을까 봐 전화 안 했어.
실수할까 봐 철저히 준비했습니다.
길을 잃을까 봐 지도를 샀어요.
음식이 식을까 봐 빨리 가져왔어요.
사람들이 볼까 봐 비공개로 올렸어요.
데이터가 부족할까 봐 추가 조사를 했습니다.
Context is Key
No Past Tense
Add '서'
Politeness
Smart Tips
Use this pattern to justify your actions.
You can use it for others too.
Use the formal ending.
Drop the '서'.
Pronunciation
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
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
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
비가 ___ 봐 우산을 챙겼어요. (오다)
Which sentence is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
비가 왔을까 봐 우산을 챙겼다.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
I'm worried I'll fail the test.
Answer starts with: 시험에...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
A: 왜 일찍 가요? B: ___
Use: 아기가 깰까 봐, 조용히, 걸었어요.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises비가 ___ 봐 우산을 챙겼어요. (오다)
Which sentence is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
비가 왔을까 봐 우산을 챙겼다.
택시를 / 탔어요 / 늦을까 봐
I'm worried I'll fail the test.
Match: 가다, 먹다, 자다
A: 왜 일찍 가요? B: ___
Use: 아기가 깰까 봐, 조용히, 걸었어요.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises열쇠를 ____ 봐 가방에 잘 넣었어요.
너무 많이 먹을까 봐 걱정해요.
올까 / 비가 / 봐 / 챙겼어요 / 우산을
너무 비쌀까 봐 걱정이에요.
선생님이 ____ 봐 일찍 왔어요.
Match the pairs:
그 사람이 약속을 ____ 봐 다시 연락했어요.
비가 올까 봐.
공부했어요 / 떨어질까 / 시험에 / 봐 / 열심히
Choose the correct form of '돕다' (to help).
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
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Tener miedo de que + subjunctive
Spanish requires a subjunctive verb form; Korean uses a prospective suffix.
Avoir peur que + subjunctive
French uses a separate verb phrase; Korean uses a suffix.
Angst haben, dass...
German is noun-based; Korean is verb-based.
〜かと思って
Minimal difference; both are highly idiomatic.
担心会...
Chinese uses a main verb; Korean uses a suffix.
أخاف أن...
Arabic is a verb-initial phrase; Korean is a suffix.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
Related Videos
Related Grammar Rules
No choice but to... (-ㄹ/을 수밖에 없다)
Overview The Korean grammar pattern `-(으)ㄹ 수밖에 없다` is a powerful expression of inevitability. It conveys that du...
Present Progressive: -ing (고 있다)
Overview Korean, like English, distinguishes between habitual or general actions and actions that are actively in progre...
To the Absolute Max: (-ㄹ/을 대로)
Overview Korean grammar employs `-(ㄹ/을) 대로` to express that a state or action has reached its absolute **utmost limi...
Just/Only: Emphatic Limitation (-ㄹ/을 뿐이다)
Overview At the B2 CEFR level in Korean, you're moving beyond basic sentence construction to express nuanced ideas, subt...
Logically Likely: -ㄹ/을 법하다
Overview `-(으)ㄹ 법하다` is a Korean grammar pattern that expresses a logical likelihood, plausibility, or reasonable e...