Expressing Future Intent in Speech

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TL;DR 🦄

📅 -(으)ㄹ 거예요 [-(eu)l geo-ye-yo] — "I'm going to / will (plan)"

🤝 -(으)ㄹ게요 [-(eu)l-ge-yo] — "I will (promise/decision now)"

🎯 -(으)려고 해요 [-(eu)l-yeo-go hae-yo] — "I'm planning to..."

⏳ 곧 [got] — "soon"

🔜 다음에 [da-eu-me] — "next time"

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🎧 Iru Helper Note — Practice future-tense patterns at the Korean Helper Widgets — key for making plans and promises! 🔮

🌈 The Big Picture

Korean has three main ways to talk about the future. -(으)ㄹ 거예요 states a plan or prediction ("I'm going to..."), -(으)ㄹ게요 announces a decision made on the spot, often a promise to the listener ("I will... [I promise]"), and -(으)려고 해요 expresses intention ("I'm planning to..."). 🔮

🎭 -(으)ㄹ 거예요 vs -(으)ㄹ게요

The key difference is about WHO the statement is for:

-(으)ㄹ 거예요 — describing your plan/prediction, neutral 📅

-(으)ㄹ게요 — making a promise/commitment TO the listener 🤝

내일 갈 거예요 [nae-il gal geo-ye-yo] — "I'm going (tomorrow)" (plan) 📋

내가 살게요 [nae-ga sal-ge-yo] — "I'll buy/pay" (offer/promise) 💳

먼저 갈게요 [meon-jeo gal-ge-yo] — "I'll go first" (announcing to others) 🚶

🧳 Essential Phrase Kit

갈 거예요 [gal geo-ye-yo] — I'm going to go 📅

할 거예요 [hal geo-ye-yo] — I'm going to do (it) ✅

갈게요 [gal-ge-yo] — I'll go (promise) 🤝

연락할게요 [yeol-la-kal-ge-yo] — I'll contact you 📩

한국에 가려고 해요 [han-gu-ge ga-ryeo-go hae-yo] — I'm planning to go to Korea 🎯

곧 [got] — soon ⏳

이제 [i-je] — now / from now on 🕐

다음에 [da-eu-me] — next time 🔜

언젠가 [eon-jen-ga] — someday 🌟

곧 끝날 거예요 [got kkeut-nal geo-ye-yo] — it'll be done soon ⏰

🛠️ Putting It Together

A: 주말에 뭐 할 거예요? B: 친구랑 등산 갈 거예요. [A: ju-ma-re mwo hal geo-ye-yo? B: chin-gu-rang deung-san gal geo-ye-yo.]

A: "What are you going to do this weekend?" B: "I'm going hiking with a friend." 📅 — -(으)ㄹ 거예요 states a plan.

A: 제가 먼저 갈게요. 나중에 연락할게요. B: 네, 조심해서 가요. [A: je-ga meon-jeo gal-ge-yo. na-jung-e yeol-la-kal-ge-yo. B: ne, jo-sim-hae-seo ga-yo.]

A: "I'll go first. I'll contact you later." B: "Okay, get home safe." 🤝 — -(으)ㄹ게요 announces a decision to the listener.

A: 다음 달에 한국에 여행 가려고 해요. B: 와, 좋겠어요! 어디 갈 거예요? [A: da-eum da-re han-gu-ge yeo-haeng ga-ryeo-go hae-yo. B: wa, jo-ke-sseo-yo! eo-di gal geo-ye-yo?]

A: "I'm planning to travel to Korea next month." B: "Wow, that sounds great! Where are you going to go?" 🎯 — -(으)려고 해요 expresses intention/planning stage.

🗣️ Speaking Practice: Mini Dialogue

Read both roles out loud, then switch roles!

민수: 지은 씨, 다음 달에 뭐 할 거예요?

[Minsu: ji-eun ssi, da-eum da-re mwo hal geo-ye-yo?]

Minsu: "Jieun, what are you going to do next month?"

지은: 제주도에 여행 가려고 해요. 비행기 표도 벌써 샀어요.

[Jieun: je-ju-do-e yeo-haeng ga-ryeo-go hae-yo. bi-haeng-gi pyo-do beol-sseo sa-sseo-yo.]

Jieun: "I'm planning to travel to Jeju Island. I already bought the plane ticket."

민수: 좋겠다! 거기서 뭐 할 거예요?

[Minsu: jo-ke-tta! geo-gi-seo mwo hal geo-ye-yo?]

Minsu: "Lucky! What are you going to do there?"

지은: 바다도 보고 맛집도 가 볼 거예요. 사진 많이 찍을게요.

[Jieun: ba-da-do bo-go mat-jip-do ga bol geo-ye-yo. sa-jin ma-ni jji-geul-ge-yo.]

Jieun: "I'll see the ocean and try some good restaurants too. I'll take lots of photos."

민수: 좋아요! 돌아오면 사진 보여 줘요.

[Minsu: jo-a-yo! do-ra-o-myeon sa-jin bo-yeo jwo-yo.]

Minsu: "Great! Show me the photos when you get back."

지은: 네, 약속할게요!

[Jieun: ne, yak-so-kal-ge-yo!]

Jieun: "Okay, I promise!"

🧭 Speaking Tip

Use -(으)ㄹ게요 when YOUR action directly affects or involves the listener — promises, offers, announcements ("I'll pay," "I'll call you," "I'll go first"). Use -(으)ㄹ 거예요 for general plans or facts about the future that don't require listener involvement. Both end conversations on a forward-looking note! 🔮

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

❌ Using -(으)ㄹ게요 for plans unrelated to the listener → ✅ "I'm going to travel next month" = 여행 갈 거예요, not 갈게요.

❌ Forgetting the ㄹ irregular: dropping the final ㄹ before adding -(으)ㄹ → ✅ 살다 → 살 거예요 (not 살을 거예요).

❌ Confusing -(으)려고 해요 (planning to) with -(으)ㄹ 거예요 (will/going to) → ✅ 려고 해요 suggests "considering/intending," 거예요 sounds more decided.

❌ Saying 곧 for things far in the future → ✅ 곧 = very soon (minutes/hours); use 다음에/나중에 for general future.

You're ready to talk about your future plans — 화이팅! 🔮✨

Try this exercise

Instructions: Choose the correct future form for each situation.

1. Translate: "I'm going to go to Korea." (plan) ＿＿＿＿

Answer

한국에 갈 거예요 [han-gu-ge gal geo-ye-yo]

2. Translate: "I'll contact you." (promise) ＿＿＿＿

Answer

연락할게요 [yeol-la-kal-ge-yo]

3. Fill in: 다음 달에 이사 ＿＿＿＿ 해요. ("I'm planning to move next month.")

Answer

가려고 [ga-ryeo-go]

4. Translate: "I'll go first." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

먼저 갈게요 [meon-jeo gal-ge-yo]

5. True or False: -(으)ㄹ게요 is typically used for promises to the listener.

Answer

True

6. Translate: "It'll be done soon." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

곧 끝날 거예요 [got kkeut-nal geo-ye-yo]

7. Fill in: 살다 → 살 ＿＿＿＿ 거예요. ("I will live...")

Answer

(ㄹ dropped, then 거예요) → 살 거예요 [sal geo-ye-yo]

8. Translate: "Someday I'd like to visit Europe." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

언젠가 유럽에 가 보고 싶어요 [eon-jen-ga yu-reo-be ga bo-go si-peo-yo]

9. True or False: 곧 means "soon" (very near future).

Answer

True

10. Practice saying this out loud: 이번 주말에 등산 갈 거예요. 사진 많이 찍을게요. [i-beon ju-ma-re deung-san gal geo-ye-yo. sa-jin ma-ni jji-geul-ge-yo.]

Answer

"I'm going hiking this weekend. I'll take lots of photos." → A plan plus a promise!

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Vocabulary Box

-(으)ㄹ 거예요 → going to / will (plan)

-(으)ㄹ게요 → will (promise)

-(으)려고 해요 → planning to

곧 [got] → soon

이제 [i-je] → now/from now

다음에 [da-eu-me] → next time

언젠가 [eon-jen-ga] → someday

나중에 [na-jung-e] → later

먼저 [meon-jeo] → first

약속하다 [yak-so-ka-da] → promise

Pitfalls 💡

ㄹ게요 = for listener

ㄹ 거예요 = general plan

ㄹ irregular drops ㄹ

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Want more reps? Visit the Practice Hub when you're ready! 🚀

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🎯 Practice Hub — Expressing Future Intent in Speech (미래 표현)

안녕하세요! [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo] Let's talk about what's coming up! 🔮✨

🔊 Audio reminder: Use the Korean Helper Widgets to hear any phrase.

Exercise 1 — Plans with -(으)ㄹ 거예요 📅

A. Translate: "I'm going to study Korean this year." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

올해 한국어를 공부할 거예요 [ol-hae han-gu-geo-reul gong-bu-hal geo-ye-yo]

B. Translate: "I'm going to eat dinner at home." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

집에서 저녁을 먹을 거예요 [ji-be-seo jeo-nyeo-geul meo-geul geo-ye-yo]

C. Fill in: 내년에 ＿＿＿＿ 거예요. ("Next year, I'll be 30.")

Answer

서른 살이 될 [seo-reun sa-ri doel]

D. True or False: 될 거예요 comes from 되다 ("become").

Answer

True

E. Translate: "It will probably rain tomorrow." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

내일 비가 올 거예요 [nae-il bi-ga ol geo-ye-yo]

F. Fill in: 만들다 → ＿＿＿＿ 거예요. ("will make")

Answer

만들 [man-deul] (ㄹ stays since stem already ends in ㄹ)

G. True or False: -(으)ㄹ 거예요 can express predictions, not just plans.

Answer

True

H. Translate: "I'm going to clean my room tomorrow." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

내일 방을 청소할 거예요 [nae-il bang-eul cheong-so-hal geo-ye-yo]

I. Fill in: 내년에는 새로운 일을 ＿＿＿＿ 거예요. ("Next year I'll start a new job.")

Answer

시작할 [si-ja-kal]

J. Practice saying this out loud: 올해는 운동을 더 할 거예요. 그리고 건강한 음식을 먹을 거예요. [ol-hae-neun un-dong-eul deo hal geo-ye-yo. geu-ri-go geon-gang-han eum-si-geul meo-geul geo-ye-yo.]

Answer

"This year I'm going to exercise more. And I'll eat healthy food." → New Year's resolutions!

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Quick Reference:

-(으)ㄹ 거예요 = plan/prediction

될 거예요/올 거예요

works with adjectives too

Exercise 2 — Promises with -(으)ㄹ게요 🤝

A. Translate: "I'll call you when I arrive." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

도착하면 전화할게요 [do-cha-ka-myeon jeo-nwa-hal-ge-yo]

B. Translate: "I'll pay this time." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

이번에는 제가 낼게요 [i-beo-ne-neun je-ga nael-ge-yo]

C. Fill in: 조용히 ＿＿＿＿. ("I'll be quiet.")

Answer

할게요 [hal-ge-yo]

D. True or False: 낼게요 comes from 내다 ("pay/submit").

Answer

True

E. Translate: "I won't be late again." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

다시는 안 늦을게요 [da-si-neun an neu-jeul-ge-yo]

F. Fill in: 제가 ＿＿＿＿ 들게요. ("I'll carry it.")

Answer

(가방을 등) + 들게요 [deul-ge-yo]

G. True or False: -(으)ㄹ게요 cannot be used for offers.

Answer

False → it's commonly used for offers ("I'll do it for you").

H. Translate: "I'll clean up, don't worry." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

제가 치울게요, 걱정하지 마세요 [je-ga chi-ul-ge-yo, geok-jeong-ha-ji ma-se-yo]

I. Fill in: 치우다 → ＿＿＿＿. ("will clean up")

Answer

치울게요 [chi-ul-ge-yo]

J. Practice saying this out loud: 오늘은 제가 계산할게요. 다음에는 같이 내요. [o-neu-reun je-ga gye-san-hal-ge-yo. da-eu-me-neun ga-chi nae-yo.]

Answer

"I'll pay today. Let's split it next time." → A generous offer!

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Quick Reference:

-(으)ㄹ게요 = promise/offer

낼게요/할게요/들게요

great for "don't worry, I'll..."

Exercise 3 — Full Future Conversations 🗣️

A. Tell a friend you're planning to learn to drive this year. ＿＿＿＿

Answer

올해 운전을 배우려고 해요. [ol-hae un-jeo-neul bae-u-ryeo-go hae-yo.]

B. Fill in: 아직 ＿＿＿＿ 안 정했어요. ("I haven't decided yet.")

Answer

확실히 [hwak-sil-hi]

C. True or False: 확실히 means "for sure/definitely."

Answer

True

D. Translate: "I might travel abroad, but it's not certain yet." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

해외여행을 갈 수도 있는데 아직 확실하지 않아요 [hae-oe-yeo-haeng-eul gal su-do it-neun-de a-jik hwak-sil-ha-ji a-na-yo]

E. Fill in: ＿＿＿＿ 수도 있어요. means "it's possible that..."

Answer

-(으)ㄹ [(eu)l]

F. True or False: -(으)ㄹ 수도 있어요 expresses possibility.

Answer

True

G. Translate: "Once I decide, I'll let you know." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

결정하면 알려 줄게요 [gyeol-jeong-ha-myeon al-lyeo jul-ge-yo]

H. Fill in: ＿＿＿＿하면 알려 줄게요. ("When I decide, I'll let you know.")

Answer

결정 [gyeol-jeong]

I. True or False: 결정하다 means "to decide."

Answer

True

J. Practice saying this out loud: 내년에 한국에 가려고 해요. 아직 확실하지 않지만, 결정하면 바로 알려 줄게요. [nae-nyeo-ne han-gu-ge ga-ryeo-go hae-yo. a-jik hwak-sil-ha-ji an-ji-man, gyeol-jeong-ha-myeon ba-ro al-lyeo jul-ge-yo.]

Answer

"I'm planning to go to Korea next year. It's not certain yet, but I'll let you know as soon as I decide." → Tentative plan plus promise!

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Everyday Cheat Sheet:

-(으)려고 해요 = planning to

-(으)ㄹ 수도 있어요 = might

결정하면 알려 줄게요

🎉 잘했어요! [jal-haess-eo-yo] Now you can talk about plans, promises, and possibilities in Korean — 화이팅! 🔮✨