Expressing Certainty vs. Uncertainty

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Keywords
ν™•μ‹  정도
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Intermediate Speaking
🎯
Expressing Certainty vs. Uncertainty
Say exactly how sure you are β€” and sound more natural doing it.
πŸ”Š
Iru Helper Note
Korean has a rich system for expressing degrees of certainty. Knowing which expression matches your actual confidence level is the difference between sounding fluent and sounding robotic.
ν™•μ‹€ν•˜μ§€λŠ” μ•Šμ€λ°, μ•„λ§ˆ λ§žλŠ” 것 κ°™μ•„μš”.
(I'm not certain, but it's probably right.)
Β 

🎯 What You'll Learn Today

When you speak Korean, you often need to signal not just what you think, but how sure you are. Korean offers a spectrum of expressions from total certainty (ν™•μ‹€ν•΄μš”) to total uncertainty (잘 λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ–΄μš”), with natural-sounding hedges in between. Using the right one makes your Korean sound precise, honest, and socially aware β€” especially important in Korean culture where overconfidence can seem rude.

πŸ“Œ The Certainty Spectrum

Expression
Level
Meaning
ν™•μ‹€ν•΄μš” / ν™•μ‹€νžˆ
Very certain
I'm sure / definitely
λ§žμ•„μš” / λ§žλŠ” 것 κ°™μ•„μš”
Certain / fairly certain
That's right / seems right
μ•„λ§ˆ / μ•„λ§ˆλ„
Probably
Probably / I'd guess
-것 κ°™μ•„μš”
Uncertain impression
It seems like / I think
잘 λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ–΄μš”
Uncertain
I'm not sure
λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ–΄μš”
Uncertain / confused
I don't know / can't say
μ „ν˜€ λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ–΄μš”
Very uncertain
I have no idea at all
πŸ’‘ Key pattern: Certainty β†’ Direct statement. Uncertainty β†’ μ•„λ§ˆ + -것 κ°™μ•„μš” or 잘 λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ–΄μš”. Don't use ν™•μ‹€ν•΄μš” unless you're genuinely certain β€” it's a strong claim.
Natural combinations:
Combination
Meaning
μ•„λ§ˆ λ§žλŠ” 것 κ°™μ•„μš”
It's probably right
ν™•μ‹€ν•˜μ§€λŠ” μ•Šμ€λ°
I'm not certain, but...
잘 λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² λŠ”데, μ•„λ§ˆ...
I'm not sure, but probably...
그럴 것 같기도 ν•˜κ³ ...
It might be that way, kind of...
ν™•μ‹€νžˆ λ§ν•˜κΈ° μ–΄λ €μ›Œμš”
It's hard to say for certain

πŸ’¬ Conversations in Action

Conversation 1 β€” Giving directions with uncertainty
A: μ €κΈ° μΉ΄νŽ˜κ°€ μ–΄λ”” μžˆλŠ”μ§€ μ•Œμ•„μš”? (Do you know where that cafΓ© is?)
B: 잘 λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² λŠ”데, μ•„λ§ˆ μ € 골λͺ© μͺ½μΈ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”. ν™•μ‹€ν•˜μ§„ μ•Šμ•„μš”. (I'm not sure, but it's probably down that alley. I'm not certain.)
Conversation 2 β€” Answering a factual question
A: 내일 νšŒμ˜κ°€ μ„Έ μ‹œμ£ ? (The meeting tomorrow is at 3, right?)
B: λ„€, ν™•μ‹€ν•΄μš”. μΊ˜λ¦°λ”μ—μ„œ ν™•μΈν–ˆμ–΄μš”. (Yes, I'm sure. I checked the calendar.)

🌏 Cultural Note β€” 겸손과 정확함 (Humility and Precision)

In Korean culture, admitting uncertainty is not a weakness β€” it's a sign of honesty and 겸손함 (humility). Saying 잘 λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ–΄μš” or ν™•μ‹€ν•˜μ§€ μ•Šμ€λ°... is far more respected than guessing and being wrong. In workplace settings especially, Koreans prefer to say ν™•μΈν•˜κ³  λ§μ”€λ“œλ¦΄κ²Œμš” (I'll check and let you know) rather than stating something uncertain as fact. Getting the certainty level right is a key part of being trusted as a communicator.
<summary>Try This Speaking Exercise
Choose the expression that best matches how sure you actually are.
A. You're 100% sure the train leaves at 7pm because you have the ticket in your hand.
<summary>Answer
ν™•μ‹€ν•΄μš”, 일곱 μ‹œμ— μΆœλ°œν•΄μš”. ν‘œκ°€ μžˆμ–΄μš”. (I'm certain β€” it departs at 7. I have the ticket.)
</summary>
B. Someone asks if a restaurant is good. You think it is but haven't been recently.
<summary>Answer
μ•„λ§ˆ λ§›μžˆμ„ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”. 전에 갔을 λ•Œ μ’‹μ•˜μ–΄μš”. (It's probably good. It was nice when I went before.)
</summary>
C. Someone asks what the capital of Australia is. You think it's Sydney but aren't sure.
<summary>Answer
잘 λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² λŠ”데, μ•„λ§ˆ μ‹œλ“œλ‹ˆμΈ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”. ν™•μ‹€ν•˜μ§€ μ•Šμ•„μš”. (I'm not sure β€” it might be Sydney. I'm not certain.)
</summary>
D. Someone asks you something you genuinely have no idea about.
<summary>Answer
μ „ν˜€ λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ–΄μš”. (I have no idea at all.)
</summary>
E. You're fairly sure a meeting is tomorrow but want to signal you haven't double-checked.
<summary>Answer
μ•„λ§ˆ 내일인 것 같은데, ν™•μΈν•΄λ³Όκ²Œμš”. (It's probably tomorrow, but I'll check.)
</summary>
F. Your friend asks if Korean is hard. You want to share your impression, not state it as fact.
<summary>Answer
제 λŠλ‚Œμ—λŠ” 생각보닀 어렡지 μ•Šμ€ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”. (In my feeling it doesn't seem as hard as I expected.)
</summary>
G. You're a bit uncertain β€” it might be one way, or it might not be.
<summary>Answer
그럴 것 같기도 ν•˜κ³ , 아닐 것 같기도 ν•΄μš”. (It might be that way, and it might not.)
</summary>
H. You want to say you'll check before giving a definite answer.
<summary>Answer
ν™•μΈν•˜κ³  λ§μ”€λ“œλ¦΄κ²Œμš”. (I'll check and let you know.)
</summary>
I. You're pretty sure but want to hedge slightly.
<summary>Answer
ν™•μ‹€ν•˜μ§€λŠ” μ•Šμ€λ°, μ•„λ§ˆ λ§žλŠ” 것 κ°™μ•„μš”. (I'm not 100% certain, but it's probably right.)
</summary>
J. Someone tells you something that you're not sure is true or false.
<summary>Answer
사싀인지 잘 λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ–΄μš”. 확인이 ν•„μš”ν•  것 κ°™μ•„μš”. (I'm not sure if it's true. It probably needs verification.)
</summary>
πŸ“š
Certainty Spectrum
Expression
Certainty
ν™•μ‹€ν•΄μš”
Very high
λ§žλŠ” 것 κ°™μ•„μš”
High
μ•„λ§ˆ -것 κ°™μ•„μš”
Medium
그럴 것 같기도 ν•˜κ³ ...
Medium-low
잘 λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ–΄μš”
Low
μ „ν˜€ λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ–΄μš”
Very low
πŸ’‘
Hedging Tip
ν™•μ‹€ν•˜μ§€λŠ” μ•Šμ€λ° is a perfect opener when you want to give an answer but can't guarantee it. It signals honesty upfront. Koreans appreciate this β€” they'd rather hear an honest hedge than an overconfident wrong answer.
</summary>
πŸ”
Want more reps?
For the next few conversations, notice when you're 100% sure and when you're guessing. Make a habit of using ν™•μ‹€ν•΄μš” only for the first, and μ•„λ§ˆ / 잘 λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ–΄μš” for the second.
Β 

πŸ“¦ Practice Hub β€” Certainty vs. Uncertainty

Exercise 1 β€” Choose the Right Expression

Select the most natural certainty expression for each situation.
A. You have the train ticket in hand β€” the departure is confirmed at 7pm.
a) μ•„λ§ˆ 일곱 μ‹œμΈ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”
b) ν™•μ‹€ν•΄μš”, 일곱 μ‹œμ— μΆœλ°œν•΄μš”
c) 잘 λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² λŠ”데 일곱 μ‹œ κ°™μ•„μš”
<summary>Answer
b) ν™•μ‹€ν•΄μš”, 일곱 μ‹œμ— μΆœλ°œν•΄μš” β€” You have the ticket. This is confirmed. Use ν™•μ‹€ν•΄μš”.
B. Someone asks if Seoul is the capital of Korea. You know this but want to state it naturally.
a) μ•„λ§ˆ μ„œμšΈμΈ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”
b) 잘 λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ–΄μš”
c) λ§žμ•„μš”, μ„œμšΈμ΄ μˆ˜λ„μ˜ˆμš”
<summary>Answer
c) λ§žμ•„μš”, μ„œμšΈμ΄ μˆ˜λ„μ˜ˆμš” β€” Known fact. State directly.
C. You think a cafΓ© is probably open on Sundays, but haven't checked.
a) ν™•μ‹€νžˆ μΌμš”μΌμ— μ—΄μ–΄μš”
b) μ•„λ§ˆ μΌμš”μΌμ— μ—΄ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”
c) μ „ν˜€ λͺ°λΌμš”
<summary>Answer
b) μ•„λ§ˆ μΌμš”μΌμ— μ—΄ 것 κ°™μ•„μš” β€” Not confirmed. μ•„λ§ˆ + -것 κ°™μ•„μš” = probably.
D. You have absolutely no idea what the answer is.
a) μ•„λ§ˆ 그럴 것 κ°™μ•„μš”
b) μ „ν˜€ λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ–΄μš”
c) ν™•μ‹€νžˆ μ•Œμ•„μš”
<summary>Answer
b) μ „ν˜€ λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ–΄μš” β€” Completely unknown. Use μ „ν˜€ λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ–΄μš”.
E. You want to give an answer but signal upfront that you're not 100% sure.
a) ν™•μ‹€ν•΄μš”
b) ν™•μ‹€ν•˜μ§€λŠ” μ•Šμ€λ°, μ•„λ§ˆ λ§žλŠ” 것 κ°™μ•„μš”
c) μ „ν˜€ λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ–΄μš”
<summary>Answer
b) ν™•μ‹€ν•˜μ§€λŠ” μ•Šμ€λ°, μ•„λ§ˆ λ§žλŠ” 것 κ°™μ•„μš” β€” The honest hedge: give your best guess while flagging uncertainty.
F. Someone asks if a friend is coming tonight. You think so but didn't confirm with them.
a) μ™€μš” β€” ν™•μ‹€ν•΄μš”
b) μ•„λ§ˆ 올 것 κ°™μ•„μš”
c) μ „ν˜€ μ•ˆ 올 것 κ°™μ•„μš”
<summary>Answer
b) μ•„λ§ˆ 올 것 κ°™μ•„μš” β€” Not confirmed. Hedge with μ•„λ§ˆ.
G. You're genuinely unsure whether something is good or not.
a) ν™•μ‹€νžˆ μ’‹μ•„μš”
b) 쒋은지 잘 λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ–΄μš”
c) μ•„λ§ˆ λ‚˜μ  것 κ°™μ•„μš”
<summary>Answer
b) 쒋은지 잘 λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ–΄μš” β€” Expressing uncertainty about quality.
H. You want to say you'll verify something before giving a definite answer.
a) ν™•μ‹€ν•΄μš”, κ·Έλƒ₯ λ―ΏμœΌμ„Έμš”
b) ν™•μΈν•˜κ³  λ§μ”€λ“œλ¦΄κ²Œμš”
c) μ „ν˜€ λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ–΄μš”
<summary>Answer
b) ν™•μΈν•˜κ³  λ§μ”€λ“œλ¦΄κ²Œμš” β€” "I'll check and let you know." The professional, humble response.
I. You're sharing a personal impression with uncertainty (it might be this way or not).
a) λ§žμ•„μš”, κ·Έλž˜μš”
b) 그럴 것 같기도 ν•˜κ³  아닐 것 같기도 ν•΄μš”
c) ν™•μ‹€ν•΄μš”
<summary>Answer
b) 그럴 것 같기도 ν•˜κ³  아닐 것 같기도 ν•΄μš” β€” "It might be that way and might not." Genuine two-way uncertainty.
J. Someone asks if you speak Japanese. You studied a little but are far from fluent.
a) ν™•μ‹€νžˆ ν•΄μš”
b) μ „ν˜€ λͺ» ν•΄μš”
c) 쑰금 ν•˜λŠ” 것 κ°™μ•„μš”, μž˜ν•˜μ§€λŠ” λͺ»ν•΄μš”
<summary>Answer
c) 쑰금 ν•˜λŠ” 것 κ°™μ•„μš”, μž˜ν•˜μ§€λŠ” λͺ»ν•΄μš” β€” "I can do a little, I guess β€” I'm not very good." Honest and natural.
πŸ“š
Certainty Spectrum
Expression
Level
ν™•μ‹€ν•΄μš”
Very certain
λ§žμ•„μš” / λ§žλŠ” 것 κ°™μ•„μš”
Certain / fairly certain
μ•„λ§ˆ -것 κ°™μ•„μš”
Probably
잘 λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ–΄μš”
Not sure
ν™•μ‹€ν•˜μ§€λŠ” μ•Šμ€λ°
Not 100%, but...
μ „ν˜€ λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ–΄μš”
No idea at all
⚠️
Don't Overuse ν™•μ‹€ν•΄μš”
Reserve ν™•μ‹€ν•΄μš” for things you've personally confirmed. Using it for guesses sounds overconfident and can damage trust in Korean communication. When you're not sure, hedge β€” it's respected, not weak.

Exercise 2 β€” Korean β†’ English Translation

Translate each sentence paying attention to the certainty level.
A. ν™•μ‹€ν•΄μš”, 내일 μ„Έ μ‹œμ— λ§Œλ‚˜μš”.
<summary>Answer
I'm certain β€” we're meeting tomorrow at 3.
B. 잘 λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² λŠ”데, μ•„λ§ˆ 거기일 것 κ°™μ•„μš”.
<summary>Answer
I'm not sure, but it's probably there.
C. μ „ν˜€ λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ–΄μš”.
<summary>Answer
I have no idea at all.
D. ν™•μ‹€ν•˜μ§€λŠ” μ•Šμ€λ°, μ•„λ§ˆ λ§žλŠ” 것 κ°™μ•„μš”.
<summary>Answer
I'm not certain, but it's probably right.
E. ν™•μΈν•˜κ³  λ§μ”€λ“œλ¦΄κ²Œμš”.
<summary>Answer
I'll check and let you know.
F. μ•„λ§ˆ 내일 λΉ„κ°€ 올 것 κ°™μ•„μš”.
<summary>Answer
It will probably rain tomorrow.
G. 그럴 것 같기도 ν•˜κ³  아닐 것 같기도 ν•΄μš”.
<summary>Answer
It might be that way, and it might not.
H. ν™•μ‹€νžˆ λ§ν•˜κΈ° μ–΄λ €μ›Œμš”.
<summary>Answer
It's hard to say for certain.
I. λ§žλŠ” 것 같은데, ν™•μ‹€ν•˜μ§€λŠ” μ•Šμ•„μš”.
<summary>Answer
It seems right, but I'm not certain.
J. 사싀인지 잘 λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ–΄μš”.
<summary>Answer
I'm not sure if it's true.
πŸ“š
Vocabulary Cheat Sheet
Korean
English
ν™•μ‹€ν•˜λ‹€
To be certain / definite
μ•„λ§ˆ / μ•„λ§ˆλ„
Probably / Perhaps
μ „ν˜€
Not at all / completely (not)
ν™•μΈν•˜λ‹€
To check / verify
λ§ν•˜κΈ° μ–΄λ ΅λ‹€
Hard to say
λ§žλŠ” 것 κ°™λ‹€
Seems right
πŸ’‘
Grammar Tip
μ•„λ§ˆ always pairs with a soft ending β€” μ•„λ§ˆ -것 κ°™μ•„μš” / μ•„λ§ˆ -κ² μ£  / μ•„λ§ˆ -κ±°μ˜ˆμš”. Never say μ•„λ§ˆ ν™•μ‹€ν•΄μš” β€” that's a contradiction. μ•„λ§ˆ signals doubt, so the following clause must also hedge.

Exercise 3 β€” Complete the Sentence

Fill in the blank with the right certainty expression.
A. μ €λŠ” ν•΄μš”. μ œκ°€ 직접 ν™•μΈν–ˆμ–΄μš”. (certain)
<summary>Answer
ν™•μ‹€ β€” μ €λŠ” ν™•μ‹€ν•΄μš”. μ œκ°€ 직접 ν™•μΈν–ˆμ–΄μš”.
B. 잘 λŠ”λ°, μ•„λ§ˆ 열두 μ‹œμΌ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”. (not sure)
<summary>Answer
λͺ¨λ₯΄κ²  β€” 잘 λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² λŠ”데, μ•„λ§ˆ 열두 μ‹œμΌ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”.
C. μ „ν˜€ κ² μ–΄μš”. 처음 λ“€μ–΄λ³΄λŠ” μ΄μ•ΌκΈ°μ˜ˆμš”. (no idea)
<summary>Answer
λͺ¨λ₯΄ β€” μ „ν˜€ λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ–΄μš”. 처음 λ“€μ–΄λ³΄λŠ” μ΄μ•ΌκΈ°μ˜ˆμš”.
D. 내일 λΉ„κ°€ 올 것 κ°™μ•„μš”. (probably)
<summary>Answer
μ•„λ§ˆ β€” μ•„λ§ˆ 내일 λΉ„κ°€ 올 것 κ°™μ•„μš”.
E. ν™•μ‹€ν•˜μ§€λŠ” μ•Šμ€λ°, λ§žλŠ” 것 κ°™μ•„μš”. (probably)
<summary>Answer
μ•„λ§ˆ β€” ν™•μ‹€ν•˜μ§€λŠ” μ•Šμ€λ°, μ•„λ§ˆ λ§žλŠ” 것 κ°™μ•„μš”.
F. ν™•μΈν•˜κ³  λ“œλ¦΄κ²Œμš”. (I'll tell you)
<summary>Answer
말씀 β€” ν™•μΈν•˜κ³  λ§μ”€λ“œλ¦΄κ²Œμš”.
G. 그럴 것 같기도 ν•˜κ³  것 같기도 ν•΄μš”. (not)
<summary>Answer
아닐 β€” 그럴 것 같기도 ν•˜κ³  아닐 것 같기도 ν•΄μš”.
H. ν™•μ‹€νžˆ κΈ° μ–΄λ €μ›Œμš”. (to say)
<summary>Answer
λ§ν•˜ β€” ν™•μ‹€νžˆ λ§ν•˜κΈ° μ–΄λ €μ›Œμš”.
I. 것 같은데, ν™•μ‹€ν•˜μ§€λŠ” μ•Šμ•„μš”. (seems right)
<summary>Answer
λ§žλŠ” β€” λ§žλŠ” 것 같은데, ν™•μ‹€ν•˜μ§€λŠ” μ•Šμ•„μš”.
J. 사싀인지 잘 . 확인이 ν•„μš”ν•΄μš”. (not sure)
<summary>Answer
λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ–΄μš” β€” 사싀인지 잘 λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ–΄μš”.
πŸ“š
Sentence Starters
Starter
Certainty Signal
ν™•μ‹€ν•΄μš”
Strong certainty
μ•„λ§ˆ
Probability hedge
잘 λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² λŠ”데
Low certainty opener
ν™•μ‹€ν•˜μ§€λŠ” μ•Šμ€λ°
Hedged answer
μ „ν˜€
Zero certainty intensifier
ν™•μΈν•˜κ³ ...
Deferred certainty
πŸ’‘
Production Tip
Try the opener ν™•μ‹€ν•˜μ§€λŠ” μ•Šμ€λ° before any answer you're not 100% sure about. It immediately signals honesty and invites the other person to verify. This single habit will make you sound dramatically more natural in Korean.

Exercise 4 β€” Dialogue Completion

Complete B's response with the appropriate certainty expression.
A. A: 였늘 νšŒμ˜κ°€ μ„Έ μ‹œμ£ ? B: (confirmed β€” you checked the calendar)
<summary>Answer
λ„€, ν™•μ‹€ν•΄μš”. μΊ˜λ¦°λ”μ—μ„œ ν™•μΈν–ˆμ–΄μš”.
(Yes, I'm certain. I checked the calendar.)
B. A: 내일 λΉ„ μ™€μš”? B: (you think so, based on the forecast, but haven't checked)
<summary>Answer
μ•„λ§ˆ 올 것 κ°™μ•„μš”. 날씨가 νλ¦¬κ±°λ“ μš”.
(It'll probably come. The sky is overcast.)
C. A: κ·Έ 식당 μΌμš”μΌμ— μ—΄μ–΄μš”? B: (you have no idea)
<summary>Answer
μ „ν˜€ λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ–΄μš”. ν™•μΈν•΄λ³΄λŠ” 게 쒋을 것 κ°™μ•„μš”.
(I have no idea. You should probably check.)
D. A: λ§žμ•„μš”? B: (you think it's probably right but aren't certain)
<summary>Answer
ν™•μ‹€ν•˜μ§€λŠ” μ•Šμ€λ°, μ•„λ§ˆ λ§žλŠ” 것 κ°™μ•„μš”.
(I'm not certain, but it's probably right.)
E. A: κ·Έ μ‚¬λžŒ 내일 μ™€μš”? B: (you'll verify before confirming)
<summary>Answer
ν™•μΈν•˜κ³  λ§μ”€λ“œλ¦΄κ²Œμš”. 아직 물어보지 μ•Šμ•˜μ–΄μš”.
(I'll check and let you know. I haven't asked them yet.)
F. A: ν•œκ΅­μ–΄ 어렡지 μ•Šμ•„μš”? B: (your personal impression β€” not certain, depends on the person)
<summary>Answer
제 λŠλ‚Œμ—λŠ” 어렡지 μ•Šμ€ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”. μ‚¬λžŒλ§ˆλ‹€ λ‹€λ₯Ό 것 κ°™κΈ΄ ν•΄μš”.
(In my feeling it doesn't seem hard. I think it probably varies from person to person.)
G. A: 이거 μ‚¬μ‹€μ΄μ—μš”? B: (genuinely not sure)
<summary>Answer
잘 λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ–΄μš”. 사싀인지 확인이 ν•„μš”ν•  것 κ°™μ•„μš”.
(I'm not sure. It probably needs verification.)
H. A: μ—¬κΈ°κ°€ λ§žμ•„μš”? B: (you think it might be right or might not be)
<summary>Answer
λ§žλŠ” 것 같기도 ν•˜κ³  μ•„λ‹Œ 것 같기도 ν•΄μš”. ν•œλ²ˆ ν™•μΈν•΄λ΄μš”.
(It seems right and it seems not right. Let's double-check.)
I. A: 그게 제일 쒋은 λ°©λ²•μ΄μ—μš”? B: (you're fairly sure but not 100%)
<summary>Answer
μ•„λ§ˆ 그런 것 κ°™μ•„μš”. ν™•μ‹€νžˆλŠ” λͺ¨λ₯΄μ§€λ§Œ 제일 효율적인 것 κ°™μ•„μš”.
(Probably. I'm not certain, but it seems like the most efficient.)
J. A: ν™•μ‹€ν•΄μš”? B: (you are certain)
<summary>Answer
λ„€, ν™•μ‹€ν•΄μš”. μ œκ°€ 직접 ν™•μΈν–ˆμ–΄μš”.
(Yes, I'm certain. I checked myself.)
πŸ“š
Useful Phrases
Phrase
Meaning
아직 물어보지 μ•Šμ•˜μ–΄μš”
I haven't asked yet
ν™•μΈν•΄λ³΄λŠ” 게 쒋을 것 κ°™μ•„μš”
You should probably check
μ‚¬λžŒλ§ˆλ‹€ λ‹€λ₯Ό 것 κ°™μ•„μš”
It probably varies by person
ν•œλ²ˆ ν™•μΈν•΄λ΄μš”
Let's double-check
μ œκ°€ 직접 ν™•μΈν–ˆμ–΄μš”
I checked it myself
πŸ’‘
Conversation Tip
ν™•μΈν•˜κ³  λ§μ”€λ“œλ¦΄κ²Œμš” is one of the most trusted phrases in Korean professional settings. It doesn't mean "I don't know" β€” it means "I value accuracy and won't give you a wrong answer." Use it confidently when you need more time to verify.

Exercise 5 β€” Free Speaking Practice

Express your real level of certainty for each prompt.
A. Tell someone what time you usually wake up β€” something you're very sure about.
<summary>Sample Answer
μ €λŠ” 맀일 μ•„μΉ¨ 일곱 μ‹œμ— μΌμ–΄λ‚˜μš”. ν™•μ‹€ν•΄μš” β€” 항상 κ·Έλž˜μš”.
(I wake up at 7am every morning. That's certain β€” I always do.)
B. Tell someone where you think a good restaurant is, but you haven't been in a while.
<summary>Sample Answer
μ•„λ§ˆ μ € 골λͺ© μ•ˆμ— μžˆμ„ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”. μ˜ˆμ „μ— κ±°κΈ° κ°”λŠ”λ°, ν™•μ‹€ν•˜μ§€λŠ” μ•Šμ•„μš”.
(It's probably down that alley. I went there before, but I'm not certain.)
C. Someone asks you a question you have absolutely no answer to.
<summary>Sample Answer
μ „ν˜€ λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ–΄μš”. 처음 λ“€μ–΄λ³΄λŠ” λ‚΄μš©μ΄μ—μš”.
(I have no idea. I've never heard of it.)
D. Express that something might be true or might not be β€” you genuinely can't decide.
<summary>Sample Answer
그럴 것 같기도 ν•˜κ³  아닐 것 같기도 ν•΄μš”. ν™•μ‹€νžˆ λ§ν•˜κΈ° μ–΄λ €μ›Œμš”.
(It might be that way and might not. It's hard to say for certain.)
E. Give your best guess about tomorrow's weather while signaling uncertainty.
<summary>Sample Answer
μ•„λ§ˆ 맑을 것 κ°™μ•„μš”. 였늘 날씨가 μ’‹μ•„μ„œμš”. ν™•μ‹€ν•˜μ§€λŠ” μ•Šμ•„μš”.
(It'll probably be clear. The weather's nice today. But I'm not certain.)
F. Describe how good you are at something β€” honestly and with the right certainty level.
<summary>Sample Answer
ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λŠ” 아직 잘 λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ–΄μš”. κΈ°μ΄ˆλŠ” λ˜λŠ” 것 같은데, 아직 곡뢀 μ€‘μ΄μ—μš”.
(I'm not sure how good my Korean is yet. I think I have the basics, but I'm still studying.)
G. Tell someone you're going to verify something before answering.
<summary>Sample Answer
ν™•μΈν•˜κ³  λ§μ”€λ“œλ¦΄κ²Œμš”. μ§€κΈˆ λ°”λ‘œ ν™•μΈν•΄λ³Όκ²Œμš”.
(I'll check and let you know. I'll verify it right now.)
H. Share a personal impression of a place you've never visited but have heard about.
<summary>Sample Answer
μ•„λ§ˆ 쒋은 곳인 것 κ°™μ•„μš”. μ΄μ•ΌκΈ°λŠ” 많이 λ“€μ—ˆλŠ”λ°, 직접 μ•ˆ κ°€λ΄μ„œ ν™•μ‹€ν•˜μ§€ μ•Šμ•„μš”.
(It's probably a nice place. I've heard a lot about it, but since I haven't been, I'm not certain.)
I. Use two different certainty expressions in one sentence.
<summary>Sample Answer
ν™•μ‹€ν•˜μ§€λŠ” μ•Šμ€λ°, μ•„λ§ˆ 내일 λΉ„κ°€ 올 것 κ°™μ•„μš”.
(I'm not certain, but it'll probably rain tomorrow.)
J. Describe something you're very sure about and something you're very unsure about, back to back.
<summary>Sample Answer
ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό 배우고 싢은 건 ν™•μ‹€ν•΄μš”. ν•˜μ§€λ§Œ μ–Όλ§ˆλ‚˜ κ±Έλ¦΄μ§€λŠ” μ „ν˜€ λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ–΄μš”.
(I'm certain that I want to learn Korean. But how long it will take β€” I have no idea.)
πŸ“š
Sentence Starters
Starter
Certainty
ν™•μ‹€ν•΄μš”
Very high
μ•„λ§ˆ -것 κ°™μ•„μš”
Probably
ν™•μ‹€ν•˜μ§€λŠ” μ•Šμ€λ°
Hedged guess
잘 λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ–΄μš”
Low certainty
μ „ν˜€ λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ–΄μš”
No idea
ν™•μΈν•˜κ³  λ§μ”€λ“œλ¦΄κ²Œμš”
Will verify first
🌟
Speaking Challenge
Have a 6-exchange conversation (with a partner or yourself) about anything β€” plans, opinions, facts. In each response, deliberately choose a different certainty level. Try to use: ν™•μ‹€ν•΄μš”, μ•„λ§ˆ, 잘 λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ–΄μš”, ν™•μ‹€ν•˜μ§€λŠ” μ•Šμ€λ°, μ „ν˜€ λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ–΄μš”, and ν™•μΈν•˜κ³  λ§μ”€λ“œλ¦΄κ²Œμš” β€” one per turn.
μ •μ§ν•œ ν‘œν˜„μ΄ μ‹ λ’°λ₯Ό λ§Œλ“€μ–΄μš”. ✨
Β