Expressing Uncertainty: Might or May (-(으)ㄹ지도 모르다)
-(으)ㄹ지도 모르다 to express uncertainty or a hunch, especially when you are worried about a potential outcome.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use -(으)ㄹ지도 모르다 to express that something might happen or might be the case, indicating uncertainty.
- Attach -(으)ㄹ지도 모르다 to the verb or adjective stem.
- Use 'ㄹ지도' if the stem ends in a vowel, '을지도' if it ends in a consonant.
- It is often used to express a slight worry or a possibility that the speaker isn't sure about.
Overview
The Korean grammar pattern -(으)ㄹ지도 모르다 (romanization: -(eu)l-ji-do mo-reu-da) is an essential structure for expressing uncertainty, possibility, or a subjective guess regarding a situation or event. At the B1 CEFR level, learners are expected to navigate most everyday communication scenarios, which invariably includes discussing what might happen, what could be the case, or what someone might have done. This pattern allows you to articulate a probability that is often based on an intuition, a hunch, or limited information, rather than concrete evidence.
Unlike stronger assertions of possibility, -(으)ㄹ지도 모르다 inherently conveys a degree of doubt or a lack of definitive knowledge on the speaker's part. It translates most commonly to English phrases such as “might,” “may,” “could,” or “there's a possibility that...” What distinguishes it is the nuance of personal speculation, frequently accompanied by a subtle sense of caution or even worry. For instance, if you are unsure if a friend will arrive on time, you might say 친구가 늦을지도 몰라요 (My friend might be late), conveying your personal concern.
This pattern is widely used in both formal and informal contexts, across all tenses, and with verbs, adjectives, and nouns, making it a cornerstone for nuanced communication in Korean.
How This Grammar Works
-(으)ㄹ지도 모르다 lies in the combination of several grammatical elements that collectively create its meaning of subjective uncertainty. Structurally, it is comprised of the prospective ending -(으)ㄹ, the connective particle 지, the additive particle 도, and the verb 모르다 (to not know). Let's dissect each component:-(으)ㄹ: This is a common Korean adnominal ending that signifies future tense, possibility, or supposition. When attached to a verb or adjective stem, it transforms it into a form that can modify a noun. In this pattern, it doesn't directly modify a noun but acts as an indicator of a potential or hypothetical situation. For example,가다(to go) becomes갈, indicating "going" in a prospective or uncertain sense.
지: This particle connects clauses and often implies a question or uncertainty. It can be found in constructions like모르겠어요(I don't know) or알고 싶어요(I want to know). Here, it links the uncertain proposition (-(으)ㄹform) to the idea of "not knowing."
도: This is an additive particle meaning "also," "even," or "too." Its inclusion here subtly emphasizes the degree of uncertainty, implying "I don't even know if this will happen." This "even" component deepens the sense of personal doubt or lack of conclusive information. For example, in비가 올지도 몰라요(It might rain), the도implies that rain is just one of the possibilities, and the speaker is unsure about it even among other potential outcomes.
모르다: The verb모르다literally means "to not know." By concluding the phrase with this verb, the speaker explicitly states their lack of knowledge or certainty regarding the preceding proposition. This makes the expression highly subjective; it's about the speaker's personal cognitive state of not knowing, rather than an objective statement about the likelihood of an event.
-(으)ㄹ지도 모르다 literally constructs a meaning close to "I don't even know if [subject] will [verb/adjective state]," which naturally conveys "it might/may [verb/adjective state]." This pattern can be applied to actions, states, and even identities. For instance, if you see someone approaching whom you barely recognize, you could say 저 사람이 제 상사일지도 몰라요 (That person might be my boss), using the pattern with a noun to express uncertainty about their identity. The inherent subjectivity means it's less about calculating statistical probability and more about expressing a personal hunch or a guarded prediction.모르다 can be conjugated to reflect various politeness levels, making it adaptable to different social contexts. You might use 모릅니다 (formal polite), 몰라요 (standard polite), or 몰라 (casual) depending on your interlocutor. This adaptability underscores its utility in diverse conversational settings, from academic discussions to casual chats.Formation Pattern
-(으)ㄹ지도 모르다 is straightforward, primarily depending on whether the preceding verb or adjective stem ends in a vowel or a consonant, and with specific rules for ㄹ-ending stems and nouns. The pattern can also be used in the past tense to express uncertainty about past events.
-ㄹ지도 모르다 | 가다 (to go) → 갈지도 몰라요 | Might go | 크다 (to be big) → 클지도 몰라요 | Might be big |
-을지도 모르다 | 먹다 (to eat) → 먹을지도 몰라요 | Might eat | 좋다 (to be good) → 좋을지도 몰라요 | Might be good |
ㄹ Irregular | Add -지도 모르다 | 만들다 (to make) → 만들지도 몰라요 | Might make | 길다 (to be long) → 길지도 몰라요 | Might be long |
ㄹ irregulars: When a verb or adjective stem ends in ㄹ (like 만들다, 팔다, 놀다), the ㄹ behaves uniquely. Instead of adding 을 or changing the ㄹ, you effectively just add 지도 모르다 directly to the stem. The ㄹ in -(으)ㄹ essentially merges with the stem's final ㄹ. For example, 살다 (to live) becomes 살지도 몰라요 (might live).
았/었/였 to the verb/adjective stem, and then apply the -(을)지도 모르다 pattern. The 았/었/였 form inherently ends in a consonant (even if it's a silent one or a vowel sound before it in pronunciation), so the 을 form 을지도 모르다 is consistently used.
-았/었/였을지도 모르다 | 하다 (to do) → 했을지도 몰라요 | Might have done | 춥다 (to be cold) → 추웠을지도 몰라요 | Might have been cold |
읽다 (to read) → 읽었을지도 몰라요 | Might have read | 예쁘다 (to be pretty) → 예뻤을지도 몰라요 | Might have been pretty |
지갑을 카페에 두고 왔을지도 몰라요 (I might have left my wallet at the cafe). This expresses a personal speculation about a past event.
-일지도 모르다 | 선물 (gift) → 선물일지도 몰라요 | Might be a gift |
-일지도 모르다 or -ㄹ지도 모르다 | 의사 (doctor) → 의사일지도 몰라요 (or 의살지도 몰라요) | Might be a doctor |
-일지도 모르다 and -ㄹ지도 모르다 are grammatically possible for vowel-ending nouns, -일지도 모르다 is generally safer and more commonly used, especially in formal or written contexts, as ㄹ지도 모르다 can sometimes sound very casual or almost like slang. For example, when speculating about a situation, you might say 오해가 있을지도 몰라요 (There might be a misunderstanding).
When To Use It
-(으)ㄹ지도 모르다 is deployed in situations where the speaker wishes to convey a possibility or a guess with a clear undertone of uncertainty, lack of firm evidence, or even a degree of caution or worry. It’s ideal for expressing personal hunches rather than objective facts.- 1Weak Guesses and Speculation: Use this when you have limited information and are making an educated guess or just speculating. It's about personal intuition rather than verifiable data.
시험이 너무 어려워서 떨어질지도 몰라요.(The test was so hard, I might fail.)그는 내가 생각했던 것보다 더 똑똑할지도 몰라요.(He might be smarter than I thought.)그 소문이 사실일지도 몰라요.(That rumor might be true.)
- 1Expressing Caution or Worry: This pattern often carries a nuance of the speaker's concern about a potential negative outcome. It prepares the listener for a less-than-ideal scenario.
비가 올지도 모르니까 우산을 가져가세요.(It might rain, so take an umbrella.) – Here, the speaker is expressing caution about the possibility of rain.차가 너무 막혀서 회의에 늦을지도 몰라요.(Traffic is too heavy, so I might be late for the meeting.)아이가 밤새 열이 나서 독감일지도 모른다고 생각했어요.(My child had a fever all night, so I thought it might be the flu.)
- 1Softening Statements or Predictions: By using
-(으)ㄹ지도 모르다, you avoid making a definitive statement, which can be useful in social interactions where directness might be perceived as impolite or presumptuous. It allows room for error or disagreement. This aligns with Korean cultural tendencies towards indirect communication and maintaining social harmony.
- Instead of
이 옷이 잘 어울려요.(These clothes suit you well.), you could say이 옷이 잘 어울릴지도 몰라요.(These clothes might suit you well.), softening the compliment and making it less absolute. - When suggesting an idea,
그 방법이 효과적일지도 모릅니다.(That method might be effective.) sounds more humble and open to discussion than그 방법이 효과적일 겁니다.(That method will be effective.). This is particularly useful in professional settings for presenting ideas tentatively.
- 1Connecting with Reasons (
-니까): It's very common to combine-(으)ㄹ지도 모르다with the connective ending-(으)니까(because/since) to state a potential reason for an action.
배가 고플지도 모르니까 간식을 좀 싸 갈게요.(I might get hungry, so I'll pack some snacks.)기차가 늦을지도 모르니까 일찍 출발했어요.(The train might be late, so I left early.)사람이 많을지도 모르니까 미리 예약해 둡시다.(There might be a lot of people, so let's make a reservation in advance.)
- 1Hypothesizing about the Past: As seen in the formation section, this pattern is effective for speculating about what might have occurred previously when you lack complete information.
친구가 내 메시지를 못 봤을지도 몰라요.(My friend might not have seen my message.)열쇠를 집에 두고 왔을지도 모른다고 생각했어요.(I thought I might have left my keys at home.)
-(으)ㄹ지도 모르다 is the go-to expression when you want to signal that your statement is a personal projection, influenced by doubt, caution, or a desire to avoid absolute claims. It communicates a 'what if' scenario from the speaker's subjective viewpoint.Common Mistakes
-(으)ㄹ지도 모르다. Recognizing these pitfalls and understanding the underlying reasons can significantly improve your accuracy and naturalness.- 1Confusing with
-(으)ㄹ 수도 있다: This is perhaps the most common point of confusion. Both patterns translate to "might" or "could," but their nuances differ significantly.
-(으)ㄹ 수도 있다(objective possibility): This pattern suggests that something is objectively possible or conceivable. It implies that there is a chance, regardless of the speaker's personal feelings or certainty. It's often used when presenting one option among several possibilities, or stating a potential outcome that is not necessarily worried about.비가 올 수도 있어요.(It is possible that it will rain.) – This indicates a factual possibility, perhaps based on weather conditions, without necessarily implying the speaker's worry.-(으)ㄹ지도 모르다(subjective uncertainty/hunch): This pattern conveys the speaker's personal lack of certainty, a hunch, a guess, or often a subtle concern or worry about a potential outcome. It emphasizes the "I don't know" aspect.비가 올지도 몰라요.(It might rain / I'm worried it might rain.) – This emphasizes the speaker's personal doubt or caution.- The Error: Using
-(으)ㄹ 수도 있다when the intended meaning is a personal worry or unconfirmed hunch, or vice-versa. Remember:수도 있다is about objective potential;지도 모르다is about subjective doubt.
- 1Incorrect Past Tense Formation: A frequent error is to incorrectly form the past tense, often by attaching
-(으)ㄹ지도 모르다directly to a present tense stem when a past event is being speculated upon. This is a common pattern for learners translating directly from English where "might have done" is a single unit.
- Incorrect:
그가 어제 병원에 갈지도 몰라요.(He might go to the hospital yesterday.) – This wrongly applies a future/present possibility to a past event. - Correct:
그가 어제 병원에 갔을지도 몰라요.(He might have gone to the hospital yesterday.) – The past tense marker았/었/였must precede-(을)지도 모르다.
ㄹ Irregular Conjugations: Verbs and adjectives ending in ㄹ (e.g., 살다, 만들다, 열다) or undergoing ㅂ or ㄷ irregular changes (e.g., 춥다추우, 듣다 → 들으) require careful attention. When -(으)ㄹ combines with an ㄹ ending stem, the 으 drops. For ㅂ irregulars, ㅂ changes to 우 (or 오) and then ㄹ is attached.- Incorrect:
문을 열을지도 몰라요.(Incorrect열다conjugation) - Correct:
문을 열지도 몰라요.(He might open the door.) - Incorrect (for
춥다if trying to add-을afterㅜ):날씨가 추울지도 몰라요.(Incorrect춥다conjugation. This looks correct but is often arrived at incorrectly. The process is춥다->추우+ㄹ지도 모르다->추울지도 모르다.) - Correct:
날씨가 추울지도 몰라요.(The weather might be cold.)
- 1Using for Certainties: This pattern is designed for uncertainty. Using it for situations that are highly probable or already known can sound odd or overly hesitant. It can imply the speaker is unaware of obvious facts or is being unnecessarily evasive.
- Context: The sky is clear, sun is shining brightly.
- Awkward:
오늘 비가 올지도 몰라요.(It might rain today.) – While grammatically correct, it contradicts observable facts and makes the speaker seem out of touch or unnecessarily pessimistic. - Appropriate: If there are dark clouds gathering, then
비가 올지도 몰라요.is perfectly natural as a cautious prediction.
- 1Incorrect
모르다Conjugation: The verb모르다is an irregular verb. When conjugating to the standard polite해요체, it becomes몰라요, not모르아요or모르어요. This is a common phonetic irregular change in Korean.
- Incorrect:
저는 답을 모르어요.or저는 답을 모르아요. - Correct:
저는 답을 몰라요.(I don't know the answer.) - This applies directly to
-(으)ㄹ지도 모르다, so ensure you consistently use몰라요,몰라, or모릅니다.
-(으)ㄹ지도 모르다 and use it effectively in your Korean communication.Real Conversations
-(으)ㄹ지도 모르다 is a ubiquitous pattern in everyday Korean discourse, reflecting the natural human tendency to speculate, worry, and express caution. Here are examples showcasing its usage in various contexts, from casual chats to more formal situations.
Scenario 1
Context: Two friends, Mina and Junho, are discussing their upcoming group trip.
Mina
우리 다음 주에 여행 갈 때 날씨 어떨까? 비 올지도 몰라. (What will the weather be like when we go on a trip next week? It might rain.)Junho
맞아. 혹시 비 오면 계획을 바꿔야 할지도 몰라. (Right. If it rains, we might have to change our plans.)Mina
아마 사람들이 많이 올지도 모르니까, 미리 숙소를 예약하는 게 좋겠어. (Many people might come, so it would be good to book accommodation in advance.)- Here, Mina and Junho use the pattern to express their personal predictions and concerns about factors outside their control, making tentative plans and offering cautious advice.
Scenario 2
Context: Two coworkers, Mr. Kim and Ms. Lee, are discussing a new project deadline.
Mr. Kim: 새 프로젝트 마감일이 너무 짧은데, 우리가 제시간에 끝낼 수 있을까요? (The deadline for the new project is too short, do you think we can finish it on time?)
Ms. Lee: 글쎄요, 예상치 못한 문제가 생길지도 모릅니다. 추가 인력이 필요할지도 몰라요. (Well, unexpected problems might arise. We might need additional personnel.)
Mr. Kim: 보고서가 복잡해서 검토하는 데 시간이 오래 걸릴지도 모르겠어요. (The report is complex, so reviewing it might take a long time.)
- In this more formal dialogue, Ms. Lee and Mr. Kim use 모릅니다 and 모르겠어요 to express professional caution and potential difficulties. The use of -(으)ㄹ지도 모릅니다 softens their concerns, presenting them as possibilities rather than absolute failures.
Scenario 3
Context: Two friends texting about meeting up.
Friend A
오늘 저녁에 영화 볼래? (Want to watch a movie tonight?)Friend B
음... 오늘 일이 좀 늦게 끝날지도 몰라 ㅠㅠ (Hmm... I might finish work a bit late today ㅠㅠ)Friend A
아, 그럼 다음 주에 볼까? (Oh, then shall we watch next week?)Friend B
응, 그때는 괜찮을지도? (Yeah, then it might be okay?)- Notice the very casual 몰라 and the shortened 괜찮을지도? (without 몰라) for brevity, common in informal digital communication.
Quick FAQ
-(으)ㄹ지도 모르다, providing further clarity on its usage and nuances.-(으)ㄹ지도 모르다 be used for positive possibilities, or is it always negative/worrisome?While it often carries a nuance of caution or concern, -(으)ㄹ지도 모르다 can certainly be used for positive possibilities. It simply emphasizes the speaker's uncertainty, even if the outcome is desirable. For example, 복권에 당첨될지도 몰라요 (I might win the lottery) expresses a hopeful but uncertain possibility. The choice often depends on the speaker's emotional state or the overall context, reflecting a guarded optimism or a humble prediction.
모르다 and 모르겠다 when used at the end of this pattern?The difference lies in the nuance of the speaker's engagement with the state of not knowing. 모르다 (to not know) is a more general statement of fact. So, -(으)ㄹ지도 몰라요 indicates that the speaker doesn't know about the possibility. 모르겠다 (I don't know/can't tell) uses the volitional/conjectural ending -겠-, which indicates the speaker's present state of mind or intention. When combined with -(으)ㄹ지도, -(으)ㄹ지도 모르겠다 means "I (the speaker) am unable to tell/figure out if it will happen." It often implies a slightly more active, internal struggle with the uncertainty, making it sound a bit more personal or reflective, as if thinking aloud. Both convey uncertainty, but 모르겠다 adds a layer of the speaker's cognitive process.
-(으)ㄹ지도 모르다 with 아마 (maybe/perhaps)?Yes, absolutely. It is very common to see 아마 used in conjunction with -(으)ㄹ지도 모르다 to emphasize the uncertainty even further. 아마 sets the stage for a possibility, and -(으)ㄹ지도 모르다 then elaborates on the speaker's doubt about that possibility. For instance, 아마 비가 올지도 몰라요 (Perhaps it might rain) intensifies the sense of "maybe" or "I'm not sure," almost like saying "Maybe, just maybe, it will rain." This combination can be useful when expressing a very weak or distant possibility.
-(으)ㄹ지도 모르다 used in modern informal communication like texting or social media?Yes, it is widely used. In very casual contexts, particularly in texting or informal online chats, you will often see shortened forms. For example, -(으)ㄹ지도 몰라 (casual form) is common, and sometimes even truncated versions like -(으)ㄹ지도? or just ㄹ지도? are used to quickly convey a hesitant possibility or a question about a potential outcome. This prevalence across various communication styles highlights its naturalness and utility in contemporary Korean.
Conjugation Table
| Verb/Adj | Stem | Ending | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
|
가다
|
가
|
-ㄹ지도 모르다
|
갈지도 모르다
|
|
먹다
|
먹
|
-을지도 모르다
|
먹을지도 모르다
|
|
보다
|
보
|
-ㄹ지도 모르다
|
볼지도 모르다
|
|
읽다
|
읽
|
-을지도 모르다
|
읽을지도 모르다
|
|
예쁘다
|
예쁘
|
-ㄹ지도 모르다
|
예쁠지도 모르다
|
|
작다
|
작
|
-을지도 모르다
|
작을지도 모르다
|
Meanings
This pattern expresses that there is a possibility of something happening or being true, though the speaker is uncertain.
Possibility
Expressing a subjective possibility about a future event or current state.
“그 사람이 올지도 몰라요.”
“오늘 바쁠지도 몰라요.”
Worry/Concern
Expressing a fear that something negative might happen.
“늦을지도 모르니까 빨리 가요.”
“시험에 떨어질지도 몰라요.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Stem + (으)ㄹ지도 모르다
|
올지도 몰라요
|
|
Negative
|
Stem + (으)ㄹ지도 모르다 (negative verb)
|
안 올지도 몰라요
|
|
Past
|
Past Stem + (으)ㄹ지도 모르다
|
왔을지도 몰라요
|
|
Adjective
|
Adj Stem + (으)ㄹ지도 모르다
|
좋을지도 몰라요
|
|
Question
|
Stem + (으)ㄹ지도 모르나요?
|
올지도 모르나요?
|
|
Future
|
Stem + (으)ㄹ지도 모르다
|
내일 비가 올지도 몰라요
|
Formality Spectrum
그가 올지도 모릅니다. (General)
그가 올지도 몰라요. (General)
그가 올지도 몰라. (General)
올지도 몰라. (General)
Uncertainty Map
Possibility
- 비 Rain
- 도착 Arrival
Worry
- 실패 Failure
- 지각 Tardiness
Examples by Level
비가 올지도 몰라요.
It might rain.
그가 올지도 몰라요.
He might come.
바쁠지도 몰라요.
I might be busy.
맛있을지도 몰라요.
It might be delicious.
내일 갈지도 몰라요.
I might go tomorrow.
그녀가 알지도 몰라요.
She might know.
이게 정답일지도 몰라요.
This might be the answer.
늦을지도 모르니까 먼저 가세요.
I might be late, so go ahead.
그가 어제 갔을지도 몰라요.
He might have gone yesterday.
상황이 변했을지도 몰라요.
The situation might have changed.
그가 화가 났을지도 몰라요.
He might have been angry.
문제가 생길지도 모르니 조심하세요.
A problem might arise, so be careful.
그 제안이 거절당했을지도 모릅니다.
The proposal might have been rejected.
그의 의견이 타당할지도 모릅니다.
His opinion might be valid.
이 연구 결과가 오해를 불러일으켰을지도 모릅니다.
This research result might have caused a misunderstanding.
예산이 부족했을지도 모르는 일입니다.
It is possible that the budget was insufficient.
그가 진실을 숨기고 있을지도 모른다는 의심이 듭니다.
I suspect that he might be hiding the truth.
이 결정이 향후 큰 파장을 일으킬지도 모릅니다.
This decision might cause a major ripple effect in the future.
그 당시 상황을 고려하면 그럴지도 모르겠네요.
Considering the situation at the time, that might be the case.
어쩌면 우리가 잘못된 길을 선택했을지도 모릅니다.
Perhaps we might have chosen the wrong path.
그의 침묵은 동의를 의미할지도 모르는 복잡한 맥락이 있습니다.
His silence has a complex context that might imply agreement.
역사적 관점에서 보면 이 사건은 필연적이었을지도 모릅니다.
From a historical perspective, this event might have been inevitable.
그의 태도는 방어 기제에서 비롯되었을지도 모른다는 분석이 지배적입니다.
The prevailing analysis is that his attitude might have stemmed from a defense mechanism.
어쩌면 이 모든 것이 우연이 아닐지도 모른다는 생각이 듭니다.
I get the feeling that perhaps none of this might be a coincidence.
Easily Confused
Both express uncertainty.
Both mean 'might'.
Both express conjecture.
Common Mistakes
비가 올지도 모릅니다.
비가 올지도 몰라요.
비가 올지도모르다.
비가 올지도 모르다.
비가 올지도 모른다.
비가 올지도 몰라요.
비가 올지도 모르겠어요.
비가 올지도 몰라요.
비가 올지도 몰랐어요.
비가 올지도 몰라요.
비가 올지도 모르니까.
비가 올지도 몰라요.
비가 올지도 모르겠어.
비가 올지도 몰라.
비가 온지도 몰라요.
비가 올지도 몰라요.
비가 올지도 모르다.
비가 올지도 몰라요.
비가 올지도 모를지도 몰라요.
비가 올지도 몰라요.
비가 올지도 모른다는 사실입니다.
비가 올지도 모릅니다.
비가 올지도 모를 수 있습니다.
비가 올지도 모릅니다.
비가 올지도 모르겠다고 생각합니다.
비가 올지도 모릅니다.
비가 올지도 모르고 있습니다.
비가 올지도 모릅니다.
Sentence Patterns
내일 ___지도 몰라요.
그가 ___을지도 몰라요.
상황이 ___지도 모르니 조심하세요.
어쩌면 그가 ___지도 모릅니다.
Real World Usage
나 늦을지도 몰라.
이 프로젝트가 어려울지도 모릅니다.
길이 막힐지도 몰라요.
배달이 늦어질지도 몰라요.
이게 진짜일지도 몰라!
오후에 비가 올지도 모릅니다.
Use it for hedging
Don't use for facts
Combine with past tense
Politeness
Smart Tips
Use -ㄹ지도 모르다 to sound natural.
Add -었/았을지도 모르다.
Use the formal ending -모릅니다.
Use it to justify a precaution.
Pronunciation
Linking
The 'ㄹ' in 'ㄹ지도' often links to the next sound.
Rising
올지도 몰라요? ↑
Questioning the possibility.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'ㄹ지도' as 'Maybe' and '모르다' as 'I don't know'. 'Maybe I don't know' = 'Might'.
Visual Association
Imagine a person looking at a cloudy sky with a question mark floating above their head. They are holding an umbrella just in case.
Rhyme
If you're not sure and want to say 'might', add ㄹ지도 모르다 to make it right.
Story
Min-su is looking at his phone. He wonders if his friend will come. He says, '친구가 올지도 몰라요.' He decides to wait. He thinks, '기다릴지도 몰라요.'
Word Web
Challenge
Write 5 sentences about things that might happen tomorrow using this pattern.
Cultural Notes
Koreans use this to avoid being too direct, which is a sign of politeness.
Derived from the verb 모르다 (to not know).
Conversation Starters
내일 비가 올까요?
그 사람이 오늘 올까요?
이 계획이 성공할까요?
그가 왜 화가 났을까요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
비가 ___ 몰라요.
그가 ___ 몰라요.
Find and fix the mistake:
비가 올지도 모르다.
그가 올지도 몰라요.
비가 올지도 모르다 is used for certainty.
A: 내일 갈까요? B: ___
몰라요 / 비가 / 올지도
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises비가 ___ 몰라요.
그가 ___ 몰라요.
Find and fix the mistake:
비가 올지도 모르다.
그가 올지도 몰라요.
비가 올지도 모르다 is used for certainty.
A: 내일 갈까요? B: ___
몰라요 / 비가 / 올지도
갈지도 몰라요
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises매울지도 / 음식이 / 몰라요 / 너무
It might be a mistake.
시간이 ____ 모르니까 서두르세요. (lack/not enough)
Match the following:
Choose the correct past tense guess:
그는 케이크를 만들을지도 몰라요.
그 사람이 우리 ___ (선생님) 몰라요.
좀 / 쉬세요 / 모르니까 / 피곤할지도
I might have lost my phone.
You think someone is busy but you aren't sure at all.
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
Yes, e.g., '내가 늦을지도 몰라요.'
It can be formal (모릅니다) or informal (몰라요).
Don't use it. Use a direct statement.
Yes, '예쁠지도 몰라요.'
Because it is a compound structure.
Extremely common in daily life.
Yes, '갔을지도 몰라요.'
It is the Korean equivalent.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Podría
Spanish uses a verb conjugation; Korean uses a compound structure.
Peut-être
French is an adverbial phrase; Korean is a verb ending.
Könnte
German uses a modal verb; Korean uses a sentence ending.
かもしれない
The structure is nearly identical in logic.
ربما
Arabic is an adverb; Korean is a verb ending.
可能
Chinese is an auxiliary; Korean is a verb ending.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Videos
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