Korean Future Uncertainty: Whether to... (-(으)ㄹ지)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use -(으)ㄹ지 to express uncertainty about a future action or decision, often translated as 'whether to' or 'wondering if'.
- Attach -(으)ㄹ지 to the verb stem: 가다 -> 갈지.
- Use with verbs like 모르다 (not know), 고민하다 (worry/ponder), or 결정하다 (decide).
- For past tense, use -았/었을지.
Overview
Korean grammar often provides distinct patterns for expressing nuances that might be conveyed with adverbs or sentence structure in other languages. The -(으)ㄹ지 (eul-ji) grammar pattern is a prime example, serving as a fundamental way to express future uncertainty or to frame a "whether or not" clause. At the B1 level, mastering -(으)ㄹ지 is crucial for engaging in more sophisticated conversations, particularly when discussing plans, possibilities, and unanswered questions about future events or states.
It signifies that the speaker is contemplating a future action or condition without definitive knowledge or decision. This pattern transforms a potential future event into a clause that can then be acted upon by another verb, typically one expressing a mental state like not knowing, wondering, or worrying. It allows you to build complex sentences that reflect the natural hesitations and inquiries of everyday communication.
Without -(으)ㄹ지, your expressions of uncertainty would largely be limited to direct questions, lacking the ability to embed these queries within broader statements of thought or emotion. For instance, instead of merely asking "Will it rain?", you can precisely articulate, "I don't know whether it will rain," demonstrating a higher level of grammatical integration.
How This Grammar Works
-(으)ㄹ지 functions as a nominalizer that specifically targets future or hypothetical situations. It takes a verb or adjective stem and transforms the entire preceding clause into a grammatical noun phrase, which then typically serves as the object of a subsequent verb. This mechanism is vital for discussing uncertain future events as concepts.-(으)ㄹ지 allows you to encapsulate that future possibility, making it a tangible idea you can not know, worry about, or be curious about. For example, when you say 비가 올지 모르겠어요 (I don't know if it will rain), the clause 비가 올지 (whether it will rain) acts as the direct object of the verb 모르겠어요 (I don't know).-(으)ㄹ지 paired with verbs and phrases that convey a state of mind regarding this uncertainty. The most common accompanying verbs are 모르다 (to not know), 알다 (to know, often in negative contexts like 알 수 없다 – cannot know), 궁금하다 (to be curious), 걱정하다 (to worry), 생각하다 (to think/consider), 묻다 (to ask), and 결정하다 (to decide). This pairing forms complete expressions of inquiry, concern, or contemplation about a future outcome.-(으)ㄹ지 clause and the main verb is key to correctly applying this grammar.어떻게 할지 생각해 볼게요 (I'll think about what to do). Here, 어떻게 할지 (what I will do) is the object of 생각해 볼게요 (I'll try thinking). The entire clause expresses a future course of action that is currently undecided, making it a perfect fit for the -(으)ㄹ지 pattern.-(으)ㄹ지 such a versatile and frequently used construction in Korean.Formation Pattern
-(으)ㄹ지 involves attaching it directly to the verb or adjective stem, with the choice between ㄹ지 and 을지 depending on whether the stem ends in a vowel or a consonant. This pattern is consistent across action verbs (동사) and descriptive verbs (형용사), as well as with the copula 이다 (to be). Remember that for irregular verbs, the irregular rule applies before attaching -(으)ㄹ지. The presence of ㄹ is a consistent marker of future or speculative meaning in many Korean grammar patterns.
ㄹ지. (e.g., 가다 → 가 + ㄹ지 = 갈지)
ㄹ): Attach 을지. (e.g., 먹다 → 먹 + 을지 = 먹을지)
ㄹ irregular stems: If a verb stem ends in ㄹ (e.g., 살다, 만들다), the ㄹ is retained, and you simply add 지. This is because the ㄹ already functions as the future marker. (e.g., 살다 → 살 + 지 = 살지)
-(으)ㄹ지 is attached:
ㅂ irregulars: If a verb stem ends in ㅂ (e.g., 돕다, 춥다), the ㅂ changes to 우 (or 오 for 돕다 and 곱다) before adding ㄹ지. (e.g., 돕다 → 도우 + ㄹ지 = 도울지; 춥다 → 추우 + ㄹ지 = 추울지)
ㄷ irregulars: If a verb stem ends in ㄷ (e.g., 듣다), the ㄷ changes to ㄹ before adding 을지. (e.g., 듣다 → 들 + 을지 = 들을지)
ㅅ irregulars: If a verb stem ends in ㅅ (e.g., 낫다), the ㅅ is dropped before adding 을지. (e.g., 낫다 → 나 + 을지 = 나을지)
가다 (to go) | 가 | 갈지 | gal-ji | whether (to) go |
크다 (to be big) | 크 | 클지 | keul-ji | whether (it) will be big |
먹다 (to eat) | 먹 | 먹을지 | meogeul-ji | whether (to) eat |
좋다 (to be good) | 좋 | 좋을지 | joeul-ji | whether (it) will be good |
ㄹ irregular | 만들다 (to make) | 만들 | 만들지 | mandeul-ji | whether (to) make |
ㅂ irregular | 춥다 (to be cold) | 추우 | 추울지 | chuul-ji | whether (it) will be cold |\
ㄷ irregular | 듣다 (to listen) | 들 | 들을지 | deureul-ji | whether (to) listen |\
이다 | 학생이다 (to be student) | 학생이 | 학생일지 | haksaeng-il-ji | whether (to be) a student |\
아니다 | 아니 | 아닐지 | anil-ji | whether (to not be) |
-(으)ㄹ지. Consistent practice with these forms will solidify your understanding.
When To Use It
-(으)ㄹ지 extends across various communicative contexts, enabling precise expressions of future uncertainty, speculation, and indirect questioning. Its applications are particularly prevalent in scenarios involving planning, decision-making, and discussing possibilities. Understanding these specific contexts will significantly enhance your ability to integrate -(으)ㄹ지 naturally into your Korean.- 1Expressing Personal Uncertainty or Lack of Knowledge: This is the most direct application. When you are unsure about a future event or state, you use
-(으)ㄹ지followed by모르다(to not know). This allows you to convey your personal state of not having information or having made a decision. For instance, if you are discussing weekend plans, you might say,이번 주말에 친구가 올지 안 올지 모르겠어요.(I don't know whether my friend will come this weekend or not.). Similarly,결과가 좋을지 나쁠지 아직 모르겠네요.(I still don't know if the results will be good or bad.) clearly states your current lack of knowledge about the outcome.
- 1Expressing Curiosity or Wonder: When you are curious about a future outcome or someone's intention,
-(으)ㄹ지pairs effectively with궁금하다(to be curious) or simply implies wonder when used with question words. This is a polite way to express an internal question. For example,선물을 마음에 들어 할지 궁금해요.(I'm curious whether they will like the gift.) demonstrates your internal thought process. In a more casual setting,내일 날씨가 어떨지!(I wonder what the weather will be like tomorrow!) can be used to voice a general thought without a specific verb like궁금하다.
- 1Expressing Worry or Concern: To convey apprehension about a potential negative future event,
-(으)ㄹ지is frequently combined with걱정하다(to worry) or염려하다(to be concerned, more formal). This structure allows you to articulate the specific subject of your worry. A common example is시험에 합격할 수 있을지 걱정돼요.(I'm worried whether I can pass the exam.). This clearly states the object of your concern, which is the uncertain outcome of the exam. Another example is그 사람이 잘 지낼지 염려됩니다.(I am concerned whether that person will be doing well.), used in a more formal context.
- 1Indirect Questions about Future Actions or States:
-(으)ㄹ지is instrumental in forming indirect questions, especially when combined with interrogative words like누가(who),언제(when),어디서(where),무엇을(what),어떻게(how), and얼마나(how much). This is a more natural and common way to ask future-oriented questions in Korean compared to direct questions, especially in formal or polite contexts. For instance, asking회의가 언제 시작할지 알려주세요.(Please tell me when the meeting will start.) is more common than a direct회의가 언제 시작해요?in a professional setting. Another example is무엇을 준비해야 할지 알려 주세요.(Please tell me what I should prepare.), which is a standard way to request information about future tasks.
- 1Discussing Decisions or Plans: When you are in the process of making a decision or considering various options for the future,
-(으)ㄹ지can be used with verbs like결정하다(to decide) or생각하다(to think/consider). This highlights the current state of deliberation.어떤 옷을 입을지 아직 결정을 못 했어요.(I haven't decided what clothes to wear yet.) is a practical example. Similarly,새로운 프로젝트를 시작할지 말지 고민 중이에요.(I'm contemplating whether to start a new project or not.) conveys an ongoing internal debate. In Korean business culture, expressing such deliberation, rather than a definitive answer, can sometimes be seen as prudent and thoughtful.
Common Mistakes
-(으)ㄹ지 can present challenges, especially for learners at the B1 level. Recognizing and actively correcting common error patterns is essential for achieving fluency and accuracy. These mistakes often stem from confusion with similar-looking grammatical structures or misapplication of irregular rules.- 1Confusing
-(으)ㄹ지with-(으)ㄴ/는지: This is perhaps the most frequent and significant error. While both patterns create indirect clauses, their temporal scopes are distinct.
-(으)ㄹ지: Exclusively for future or hypothetical uncertainty. It expresses doubt about something that has not yet happened or is not yet certain. (내일 비가 올지 모르겠어요.- I don't know if it will rain tomorrow.)-(으)ㄴ/는지: For present or past uncertainty/knowledge. It refers to something that is currently happening or has already happened. (비가 오는지 모르겠어요.- I don't know if it is raining right now. /비가 왔는지 모르겠어요.- I don't know if it rained.)
-(으)ㄹ지 always contains the future marker ㄹ, making its temporal implication clear.- 1Omitting the Main Verb: The
-(으)ㄹ지clause functions as a dependent clause and usually requires a subsequent main verb to complete its meaning. Leaving it dangling is grammatically incomplete, though it might occur in very casual, truncated speech. For instance,밥을 먹을지...(whether to eat...) is incomplete. It needs a verb like밥을 먹을지 모르겠어요.(I don't know whether to eat.) or밥을 먹을지 생각 중이에요.(I'm thinking about whether to eat.). Always ensure your-(으)ㄹ지clause is properly integrated into a larger sentence structure.
-(으)ㄹ지. This leads to errors like 듣을지 (incorrect, should be 들을지) or 돕을지 (incorrect, should be 도울지). Always remember to transform the stem of ㅂ and ㄷ irregulars first: 듣다들 + 을지, 돕다 → 도우 + ㄹ지. Treat the irregular stem as the new base for conjugation.- 1Misapplication with Adjectives/Copula in Present Tense: While
-(으)ㄹ지can be used with adjectives (좋을지- whether it will be good) and the copula이다(학생일지- whether it will be a student), ensure you're referring to a future or uncertain state. If you mean to express uncertainty about a current state of being or quality,-(으)ㄴ/는지is more appropriate. (이게 좋은지 모르겠어요.- I don't know if this is good [now]. vs.이게 좋을지 모르겠어요.- I don't know if this will be good [in the future].)
- 1Incorrect Spacing:
-(으)ㄹ지is a grammatical ending and should be attached directly to the verb or adjective stem without a space. For example,갈 지is incorrect; it should be갈지.
-(으)ㄹ지.Real Conversations
Understanding how -(으)ㄹ지 is employed in authentic dialogues provides invaluable insight into its practical function and natural flow. These examples showcase its versatility in conveying uncertainty, curiosity, and decision-making in everyday Korean.
Scenario 1
A
민수 씨, 이번 주말에 같이 영화 보러 갈지 생각 중이에요? (Minsu, are you thinking about whether we should go watch a movie together this weekend?)B
아직 결정을 못 했어요. 날씨가 좋을지 안 좋을지 몰라서요. (I haven't decided yet. Because I don't know whether the weather will be good or not.)A
그럼, 날씨 앱 한번 확인해 보고 저한테 알려줄지 부탁드려요. (Then, please check the weather app and let me know [whether you'll go or not].)- Here, 갈지 expresses uncertainty about a future action (going to the movie). 좋을지 안 좋을지 clearly presents two uncertain future states of the weather. 알려줄지 is a polite request asking for a future action (informing).
Scenario 2
Team Lead
이 프로젝트가 다음 달까지 끝날지 걱정됩니다. (I'm worried whether this project will finish by next month.)Team Member
저도 조금 염려됩니다만, 저희가 최선을 다하면 가능할지도 모릅니다. (I'm a little concerned too, but if we do our best, it might be possible.)Team Lead
네, 그럼 다음 주에 진행 상황을 다시 한번 보고할지 결정하죠. (Yes, then let's decide whether to report the progress again next week.)- In this professional exchange, 끝날지 걱정됩니다 conveys the team lead's concern about the project's completion. The team member uses 가능할지도 모릅니다 (a related pattern -(으)ㄹ지도 모르다) to express a possibility. Finally, 보고할지 결정하죠 illustrates a collective decision-making process regarding a future action.
Scenario 3
C
새로 생긴 이탈리안 레스토랑 가봤어? 맛있을지 궁금해. (Have you been to the new Italian restaurant? I'm curious if it's good.)D
아니, 아직 못 가봤어. 근데 친구들이 비쌀지 모르겠대. (No, I haven't been yet. But my friends say they don't know if it'll be expensive.)C
그럼 다음에 언제 같이 갈지 한번 얘기해 보자. (Then, let's talk about when we can go together next time.)- 맛있을지 궁금해 clearly states curiosity about a future state (the taste of the food). 비쌀지 모르겠대 reports someone else's uncertainty about the price. 언제 같이 갈지 is an indirect question embedded in a suggestion, planning a future meeting.
These dialogues demonstrate how -(으)ㄹ지 seamlessly integrates into everyday Korean, making your communication more nuanced and reflective of genuine uncertainty and deliberation.
Quick FAQ
-(으)ㄹ지 can clarify common points of confusion and provide a more holistic understanding of this versatile grammar pattern.- Can
-(으)ㄹ지be used in the past tense?
았/었 before -(으)ㄹ지. The structure becomes -(았/었)을지.그 사람이 왜 늦었을지 모르겠어요. (I don't know why that person might have been late.) or 그가 이미 떠났을지 궁금해요. (I'm curious if he has already left.).- Is it common to use
말지with-(으)ㄹ지?
-(으)ㄹ지 말지 is extremely common and idiomatic. It explicitly presents a choice between doing an action or not doing it, directly translating to "whether to do X or not to do X." It emphasizes a binary decision or a clear state of indecision.이번 주말에 집에 갈지 말지 고민 중이에요. (I'm deliberating whether to go home this weekend or not.) or 점심을 먹을지 말지 결정해야 해요. (I need to decide whether to eat lunch or not.).- Can
-(으)ㄹ지be used with nouns?
이다 (to be) is employed, resulting in (이)ㄹ지. If the noun ends in a vowel, you add ㄹ지.일지. This allows you to express uncertainty about someone's identity, profession, or the nature of something in the future or hypothetically. For instance, 그 사람이 학생일지 회사원일지 모르겠어요. (I don't know if that person will be a student or an office worker.) or 이것이 진짜일지 가짜일지 궁금합니다. (I'm curious if this is real or fake.).아니다 conjugates to 아닐지 (e.g., 그가 범인이 아닐지 모르겠어요. - I don't know if he might not be the culprit.).- Does
-(으)ㄹ지convey politeness?
-(으)ㄹ지 ending itself is neutral in terms of politeness. The level of formality or politeness is determined by the main verb that follows the -(으)ㄹ지 clause. For example, 내일 비가 올지 모르겠어요. (I don't know if it will rain tomorrow.) uses the polite 요 ending.내일 비가 올지 몰라. (casual), or 내일 비가 올지 모르겠습니다. (formal), the politeness shifts with the final verb's conjugation. The -(으)ㄹ지 structure itself merely sets up the content of the uncertainty.- How does
-(으)ㄹ지differ from-(으)ㄹ까(요)?and-(으)려고?
ㄹ, express distinct meanings related to future actions.-(으)ㄹ지: Expresses uncertainty or a question about a future event or state within a larger clause. It's about whether something will happen. (비가 올지 모르겠어요.- I don't know if it will rain.)-(으)ㄹ까(요)?: Typically used for seeking opinion/suggestion or self-reflection/wondering aloud. It's often a direct question to the listener or an internal musing. (비가 올까요?- Do you think it will rain? / I wonder if it will rain?)-(으)려고(or-(으)려고 하다): Expresses a firm intention or plan to do something. It's about intending to do something. (비가 오려고 해요.- It's going to rain/It looks like it's about to rain. /밥을 먹으려고 해요.- I intend to eat rice.)
-(으)ㄹ지 implies a lack of definite knowledge or decision, -(으)ㄹ까(요)? seeks input or reflects, and -(으)려고 states a clear intention.-(으)ㄹ지 Conjugation
| Verb Stem Ending | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Vowel
|
+ ㄹ지
|
가다 -> 갈지
|
|
Consonant (except ㄹ)
|
+ 을지
|
먹다 -> 먹을지
|
|
ㄹ
|
+ 지
|
살다 -> 살지
|
|
Past Tense
|
+ 았/었을지
|
갔을지/먹었을지
|
Common Contractions
| Full Form | Common Usage |
|---|---|
|
-ㄹ지 말지
|
-ㄹ지 말지 (often kept full)
|
Meanings
This pattern functions as an indirect question marker used to express uncertainty, doubt, or deliberation regarding a future action or state.
Uncertainty/Doubt
Expressing that the speaker does not know the answer to a question.
“무엇을 먹을지 고민이에요.”
“누가 올지 몰라요.”
Deliberation
Thinking about a choice or decision.
“이 옷을 살지 말지 결정했어요.”
“어디서 만날지 정합시다.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Stem + (으)ㄹ지
|
갈지
|
|
Negative
|
안 + Stem + (으)ㄹ지
|
안 갈지
|
|
Whether or not
|
Stem + (으)ㄹ지 말지
|
갈지 말지
|
|
Past
|
Stem + 았/었을지
|
갔을지
|
|
Question
|
Stem + (으)ㄹ지 + [Question Word]?
|
어디로 갈지 알아요?
|
|
Uncertainty
|
Stem + (으)ㄹ지 모르다
|
갈지 몰라요
|
Formality Spectrum
어떻게 할지 모르겠습니다. (General uncertainty)
어떻게 할지 몰라요. (General uncertainty)
어떻게 할지 몰라. (General uncertainty)
어떡할지 모르겠어. (General uncertainty)
Uncertainty Flow
Future
- 갈지 whether to go
Decision
- 살지 whether to buy
Examples by Level
무엇을 먹을지 몰라요.
I don't know what to eat.
어디로 갈지 몰라요.
I don't know where to go.
누가 올지 몰라요.
I don't know who will come.
언제 할지 몰라요.
I don't know when to do it.
이것을 살지 고민이에요.
I am worried about whether to buy this.
어떻게 할지 결정했어요.
I decided how to do it.
영화를 볼지 말지 생각해요.
I am thinking about whether to watch a movie or not.
누구를 만날지 정했어요.
I decided who to meet.
그가 올지 안 올지 모르겠어요.
I don't know whether he will come or not.
어떤 선물을 살지 고민 중이에요.
I am in the middle of worrying about what gift to buy.
내일 비가 올지 궁금해요.
I am curious whether it will rain tomorrow.
어디서 공부할지 정해야 해요.
I have to decide where to study.
이 프로젝트를 계속할지 말지 신중하게 검토하고 있습니다.
I am carefully reviewing whether to continue this project or not.
그녀가 제안을 받아들일지 의문입니다.
It is doubtful whether she will accept the proposal.
어떤 방식으로 문제를 해결할지 논의 중입니다.
We are discussing how to solve the problem.
그가 진실을 말할지 알 수 없습니다.
It is impossible to know whether he will tell the truth.
이 정책이 장기적으로 어떤 영향을 미칠지 예측하기 어렵습니다.
It is difficult to predict what impact this policy will have in the long term.
그가 과연 자신의 실수를 인정할지 지켜봅시다.
Let's see whether he will actually admit his mistake.
어떤 결론에 도달할지 아무도 모릅니다.
No one knows what conclusion we will reach.
그의 행동이 어떤 결과를 초래할지 우려됩니다.
I am concerned about what results his actions will bring about.
그가 과연 그 자리를 수락할지 여부는 미지수입니다.
Whether he will accept the position is an unknown.
어떤 가치를 우선시할지 결정하는 것은 개인의 몫입니다.
Deciding which values to prioritize is up to the individual.
역사가 어떻게 평가할지 아무도 장담할 수 없습니다.
No one can guarantee how history will evaluate it.
그가 어떤 의도로 그런 말을 했는지, 아니면 그저 농담이었을지 고민해 보았습니다.
I pondered whether he said that with an intention, or if it was just a joke.
Easily Confused
Both are used for indirect questions.
Both express future plans.
Often confused with 'maybe'.
Common Mistakes
가는지 몰라요 (for future)
갈지 몰라요
먹을지 먹어요
먹을지 고민해요
가다ㄹ지
갈지
어디 가는지 몰라요 (for future)
어디 갈지 몰라요
살지 말지 결정해요
살지 말지 결정했어요
누가 올지 안 올지 몰라요
누가 올지 안 올지 몰라요 (Correct, but check context)
어제 갈지 몰라요
어제 갔을지 몰라요
무엇을 먹을지 생각 중입니다
무엇을 먹을지 생각 중입니다 (Correct)
그가 올지 안 올지 확신해요
그가 올지 안 올지 모르겠어요
어디 갈지 정하지 마세요
어디 갈지 정하세요
그가 올지 말지 확신할 수 없습니다
그가 올지 말지 알 수 없습니다
어떤 결정을 내릴지 고민했습니다
어떤 결정을 내릴지 고민했습니다 (Correct)
어떻게 될지 아무도 모릅니다
어떻게 될지 아무도 모릅니다 (Correct)
Sentence Patterns
저는 ___을/를 먹을지 고민이에요.
내일 ___에 갈지 말지 결정했어요.
그가 ___을/를 할지 안 할지 모르겠어요.
어떤 ___을/를 선택할지 신중하게 생각해야 합니다.
Real World Usage
오늘 만날지 말지 알려줘.
어떻게 기여할지 고민했습니다.
무엇을 주문할지 고민 중.
어디로 갈지 정하자.
어떤 사진을 올릴지 고민.
어떤 전략을 취할지 논의합시다.
Focus on the Verb
Don't confuse with -는지
Use '말지'
Politeness
Smart Tips
Use -(으)ㄹ지 to sound more natural than just saying 'I don't know'.
Use 'A-ㄹ지 B-ㄹ지' to show you are weighing options.
Combine with '궁금해요' to express curiosity.
Use the formal -습니다 ending with this structure.
Pronunciation
Liaison
The 'ㄹ' sound often carries over to the next syllable.
Rising
갈지? ↑
Questioning tone.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'ㄹ' as a 'Road' (Road = Future). If you are on a road, you don't know where it goes, so you use 'ㄹ지'.
Visual Association
Imagine a person standing at a fork in the road with a question mark floating above their head.
Rhyme
When the future is unclear, add -ㄹ지 to the ear.
Story
Min-su is at a restaurant. He looks at the menu. He thinks, 'What should I eat?' He says, '무엇을 먹을지 고민이에요.' He decides on bibimbap.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences about things you are currently deciding on using -(으)ㄹ지.
Cultural Notes
In business, using -(으)ㄹ지 is a polite way to suggest options without being overly direct.
Used when being coy about plans.
Extremely common when ordering with friends.
Derived from the future tense modifier -(으)ㄹ and the particle -지.
Conversation Starters
오늘 저녁에 뭐 먹을지 정했어요?
주말에 어디로 갈지 고민해 본 적 있어요?
인생에서 가장 큰 결정을 내릴 때 무엇을 고려할지 생각해 봤나요?
미래에 어떤 일을 할지 확신이 있나요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
어디로 ___ 몰라요.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
그가 올지 안 올지 확신해요.
고민이에요 / 무엇을 / 살지 / 저는
무엇을 ___ 몰라요.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
그는 갑니다. (He goes.)
-(으)ㄹ지 is used for present facts.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises어디로 ___ 몰라요.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
그가 올지 안 올지 확신해요.
고민이에요 / 무엇을 / 살지 / 저는
무엇을 ___ 몰라요.
Match the phrase.
그는 갑니다. (He goes.)
-(으)ㄹ지 is used for present facts.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
6 exercisesI am worried whether I will pass the exam.
모르겠어요 / 내일 / 갈지 / 학교에
Match the pairs:
살지 ___ 고민이에요. (Whether to buy or not)
Choose the correct sentence:
무엇을 만들을지 생각 중이에요.
Score: /6
FAQ (8)
Yes, use -았/었을지. For example, '누가 갔을지 몰라요' (I don't know who went).
No, it can be followed by '결정하다', '고민하다', '궁금하다', etc.
-(으)ㄹ지 is for future/uncertainty, -는지 is for present/facts.
Yes, just add formal endings like -습니다.
Yes, it is very common in both formal and informal writing.
This means 'whether to do or not to do'.
It is considered intermediate, but the conjugation is quite simple.
No, it is specifically for verbs.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
si
Spanish 'si' is a conjunction, while -(으)ㄹ지 is a verb ending.
si
French 'si' is a separate word, not a suffix.
ob
German 'ob' is a subordinating conjunction.
かどうか
Japanese uses a phrase, Korean uses a suffix.
是否
Chinese has no verb conjugation.
ما إذا كان
Arabic is a phrase, Korean is a suffix.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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...
