🤔

I wonder if: -(으)ㄴ/는가 싶다

Keywords
-(으)ㄴ/는가 싶다
Lesson #
S
Done
Section
Intermediate Grammar
🎯
TL;DR 🦄
  • 🤔 -(으)ㄴ/는가 싶다 [-(eu)n/neun-ga sip-da] means I wonder if... / I’m thinking maybe... / it seems to me that maybe...
  • 🫧 It is a soft, internal guess: the speaker is not declaring a fact, but quietly wondering or forming a cautious impression.
  • ✍️ In polite speech, it commonly appears as -(으)ㄴ/는가 싶어요 [-(eu)n/neun-ga si-peo-yo].
🔊
🎧 Iru Helper Note — Use
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets and type sentences like 회의가 늦어지는가 싶어요, 길이 막히는가 싶어요, 조금 어려운가 싶어요, and 문제인가 싶어요 to hear the quiet “I wonder if...” rhythm. 🎧
 

🌈 The Big Picture

-(으)ㄴ/는가 싶다 is used when you are quietly wondering, suspecting, or forming a cautious thought about something.
 
It feels more internal and tentative than a direct statement:
  • “I wonder if the meeting is getting delayed.”
  • “I’m thinking maybe this method is better.”
  • “It seems to me that maybe there is a problem.”
  • “I wondered if they were tired.”
 
Examples:
  • 회의가 아직 안 시작해요. 조금 늦어지는가 싶어요.
      • [hoe-ui-ga a-jik an si-ja-kae-yo. jo-geum neu-jeo-ji-neun-ga si-peo-yo] — The meeting still has not started. I wonder if it is getting a little delayed. 🕒
      회의 = meeting; 아직 = still / yet; 시작하다 = to start; 늦어지다 = to become delayed.
  • 설명이 길어요. 조금 어려운가 싶어요.
      • [seol-myeong-i gi-reo-yo. jo-geum eo-ryeo-un-ga si-peo-yo] — The explanation is long. I wonder if it is a little difficult. 📚
      설명 = explanation; 길다 = to be long; 어렵다 = to be difficult.
  • 다들 조용해요. 분위기가 어색한가 싶어요.
      • [da-deul jo-yong-hae-yo. bun-wi-gi-ga eo-sae-kan-ga si-peo-yo] — Everyone is quiet. I wonder if the atmosphere is awkward. 😶
      다들 = everyone; 조용하다 = to be quiet; 분위기 = atmosphere; 어색하다 = to be awkward.
 
The key feeling is not “I know.” It is “I’m quietly asking myself if this might be true.” 🫧

🎨 The Core -(으)ㄴ/는가 싶다 Family

1. Action verb present + 는가 싶다

Use 는가 싶다 when you are wondering about a current action or process.
  • 가다 [ga-da] — to go → 가는가 싶어요 [ga-neun-ga si-peo-yo] — I wonder if someone is going
  • 오다 [o-da] — to come → 오는가 싶어요 — I wonder if someone is coming
  • 막히다 [ma-ki-da] — to be jammed/blocked → 막히는가 싶어요 — I wonder if it is jammed
  • 늦어지다 [neu-jeo-ji-da] — to become delayed → 늦어지는가 싶어요 — I wonder if it is getting delayed
 

2. Descriptive verb/adjective + -(으)ㄴ가 싶다

Use ㄴ가 싶다 after vowel-ending adjective stems and 은가 싶다 after consonant-ending adjective stems.
  • 바쁘다 [ba-ppeu-da] — to be busy → 바쁜가 싶어요 — I wonder if someone is busy
  • 어렵다 [eo-ryeop-da] — to be difficult → 어려운가 싶어요 — I wonder if it is difficult
  • 좋다 [jo-ta] — to be good → 좋은가 싶어요 — I wonder if it is good
  • 어색하다 [eo-sae-ka-da] — to be awkward → 어색한가 싶어요 — I wonder if it is awkward
 

3. Noun + 인가 싶다

Use 인가 싶다 after nouns.
  • 문제 [mun-je] — problem → 문제인가 싶어요 — I wonder if it is a problem
  • 실수 [sil-su] — mistake → 실수인가 싶어요 — I wonder if it is a mistake
  • 학생 [hak-saeng] — student → 학생인가 싶어요 — I wonder if they are a student
 

4. Past wondering + -았/었나 싶다

For past situations, Korean often uses -았/었나 싶다.
  • 오다 → 왔나 싶어요 — I wonder if someone came
  • 끝나다 [kkeun-na-da] — to end → 끝났나 싶어요 — I wonder if it ended
  • 피곤하다 [pi-gon-ha-da] — to be tired → 피곤했나 싶어요 — I wonder if someone was tired

🛠️ How It Works in a Sentence

-(으)ㄴ/는가 싶다 often appears when the speaker notices something and then quietly thinks through a possibility.
 
Examples:
  • 답장이 없어서 친구가 바쁜가 싶어요.
      • [dap-jang-i eop-seo-seo chin-gu-ga ba-ppeun-ga si-peo-yo] — There is no reply, so I wonder if my friend is busy. 📱
      답장 = reply; 없다 = to not exist / not have; 친구 = friend.
  • 사람이 많아서 길이 막히는가 싶어요.
      • [sa-ra-mi ma-na-seo gi-ri ma-ki-neun-ga si-peo-yo] — There are many people, so I wonder if the road is jammed. 🚗
      사람 = person / people; 많다 = to be many/much; 길 = road.
  • 표정이 안 좋아서 기분이 안 좋은가 싶어요.
      • [pyo-jeong-i an jo-a-seo gi-bu-ni an jo-eun-ga si-peo-yo] — Their expression does not look good, so I wonder if they are not in a good mood. 😟
      표정 = facial expression; 기분 = mood.

🧩 General Formation Rule

Action verbs: present

Remove 다, then add 는가 싶어요.
  • 가다 → 가는가 싶어요
  • 오다 → 오는가 싶어요
  • 막히다 → 막히는가 싶어요
  • 늦어지다 → 늦어지는가 싶어요
 

Descriptive verbs/adjectives

Use -(으)ㄴ가 싶어요.
  • Vowel stem → ㄴ가 싶어요
    • 바쁘다 → 바쁜가 싶어요
    • 어색하다 → 어색한가 싶어요
  • Consonant stem → 은가 싶어요
    • 좋다 → 좋은가 싶어요
    • 어렵다 → 어려운가 싶어요
 

Nouns

Noun + 인가 싶어요
  • 문제 → 문제인가 싶어요
  • 실수 → 실수인가 싶어요
  • 학생 → 학생인가 싶어요
 

Past

Use -았/었나 싶어요.
  • 오다 → 왔나 싶어요
  • 끝나다 → 끝났나 싶어요
  • 피곤하다 → 피곤했나 싶어요
✍️
Spacing note
Write 싶다 separately:
  • ✅ 바쁜가 싶어요
  • ✅ 길이 막히는가 싶어요
  • ✅ 문제인가 싶어요
  • ❌ 바쁜가싶어요
  • ❌ 문제인가싶어요

🚨 Nuance: Internal Wondering, Not a Direct Question

-(으)ㄴ/는가 싶다 sounds like the speaker is thinking to themselves or offering a very cautious impression.
 
Compare:
  • 바빠요? — Are they busy? Direct question.
  • 바쁜가요? — Are they busy? Softer/formal question.
  • 바쁜가 싶어요. — I wonder if they are busy / I’m thinking maybe they are busy.
 
It is useful when you do not want to sound too firm or intrusive. It softens the thought while still sharing your suspicion. 🫧

🔍 -(으)ㄴ/는가 싶다 vs Related Grammar

-(으)ㄴ/는가 싶다

Internal wondering / cautious impression.
  • 문제인가 싶어요. — I wonder if it is a problem.
 

-(으)ㄴ/는가요?

A soft or formal question asked to someone.
  • 문제인가요? — Is it a problem?
 

-나 보다 / -(으)ㄴ가 보다

Evidence-based inference; the speaker is more actively concluding from clues.
  • 문제인가 봐요. — I guess it is a problem.
 

-(으)ㄹ지도 모르다

Weak possibility: might / may / maybe.
  • 문제일지도 몰라요. — It might be a problem.
 

-(으)ㄹ까 싶다

Vague intention or tentative plan.
  • 집에 갈까 싶어요. — I’m thinking maybe I’ll go home.
 
Do not mix the “wondering whether something is true” feeling of -(으)ㄴ/는가 싶다 with the “thinking of doing” feeling of -(으)ㄹ까 싶다.

📚 Cross-check note

This lesson was checked against Korean usage guidance from korean.go.kr, including guidance that -(으)ㄴ가, -나, and -는가 can appear before the helper adjective 싶다, and that 싶다 is written separately in this construction. ✅

🪞 Synonym Alert

Possible English translations:
  • “I wonder if...” → 바쁜가 싶어요. — I wonder if they are busy.
  • “I’m thinking maybe...” → 문제인가 싶어요. — I’m thinking maybe it is a problem.
  • “It seems to me that maybe...” → 조금 어려운가 싶어요. — It seems to me that maybe it is a little difficult.
  • “I wondered if...” → 이미 끝났나 싶었어요. — I wondered if it had already ended.
 
Useful companion words:
  • 혹시 — maybe / by any chance
  • 조금 — a little
  • 아직 — still / yet
  • 이미 — already
  • 다시 — again

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

  • ❌ 바쁜가싶어요 → ✅ 바쁜가 싶어요. Write 싶어요 separately.
  • ❌ 먹은가 싶어요 for a present action → ✅ 먹는가 싶어요. Action present uses 는가.
  • ❌ 좋는가 싶어요 → ✅ 좋은가 싶어요. Adjectives use -(으)ㄴ가.
  • ❌ 문제는가 싶어요 → ✅ 문제인가 싶어요. Nouns use 인가.
  • ❌ Using -(으)ㄴ/는가 싶다 as a direct question to someone → ✅ Use -(으)ㄴ/는가요? when you are actually asking.
 
🎉 Now you can express cautious inner thoughts in Korean: 바쁜가 싶어요, 막히는가 싶어요, 문제인가 싶어요. Wondering softly, speaking smoothly. 🤔✨
 

Try this exercise

Instructions: Complete each sentence with the correct -(으)ㄴ/는가 싶다 form. Read the clue, say the sentence aloud, then open the Answer toggle to check the form and nuance.
1. 바쁘다 → 답장이 없어요. 친구가 ＿＿＿＿.
[ba-ppeu-da → dap-jang-i eop-sseo-yo. chin-gu-ga ＿＿＿＿]
There is no reply. I wonder if my friend is busy. 📱
Answer
바쁜가 싶어요 — adjective + ㄴ가 싶어요.
2. 막히다 → 길이 ＿＿＿＿.
[ma-ki-da → gi-ri ＿＿＿＿]
I wonder if the road is jammed. 🚗
Answer
막히는가 싶어요 — action/process verb + 는가 싶어요.
3. 어렵다 → 설명이 조금 ＿＿＿＿.
[eo-ryeop-da → seol-myeong-i jo-geum ＿＿＿＿]
I wonder if the explanation is a little difficult. 📚
Answer
어려운가 싶어요 — 어렵다 → 어려운가.
4. 문제 → 이게 ＿＿＿＿.
[mun-je → i-ge ＿＿＿＿]
I wonder if this is a problem. 🧩
Answer
문제인가 싶어요 — noun + 인가 싶어요.
5. 오다 → 누가 ＿＿＿＿.
[o-da → nu-ga ＿＿＿＿]
I wonder if someone is coming. 🚪
Answer
오는가 싶어요.
6. 좋다 → 이 방법이 ＿＿＿＿.
[jo-ta → i bang-beo-bi ＿＿＿＿]
I wonder if this method is good. 🧭
Answer
좋은가 싶어요.
7. 실수 → 그 결정이 ＿＿＿＿.
[sil-su → geu gyeol-jeong-i ＿＿＿＿]
I wonder if that decision is a mistake. 🎯
Answer
실수인가 싶어요.
8. 끝나다 past → 이미 ＿＿＿＿.
[kkeun-na-da past → i-mi ＿＿＿＿]
I wonder if it already ended. ✅
Answer
끝났나 싶어요 — past wondering uses -았/었나 싶어요.
9. 어색하다 → 분위기가 ＿＿＿＿.
[eo-sae-ka-da → bun-wi-gi-ga ＿＿＿＿]
I wonder if the atmosphere is awkward. 😶
Answer
어색한가 싶어요.
10. -(으)ㄴ/는가 싶다 sounds like:
Answer
A cautious inner thought — “I wonder if...” or “I’m thinking maybe...”
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 바쁘다 → to be busy
  • 답장 → reply
  • 친구 → friend
  • 막히다 → to be jammed/blocked
  • 길 → road
  • 어렵다 → to be difficult
  • 설명 → explanation
  • 문제 → problem
  • 오다 → to come
  • 방법 → method
  • 실수 → mistake
  • 결정 → decision
  • 끝나다 → to end
  • 이미 → already
  • 어색하다 → to be awkward
  • 분위기 → atmosphere
Tip 💡 If it sounds like a quiet “I wonder if...,” 싶어요 is doing soft-thinking work.
🚀
Want more reps? The Practice Hub below gives you a full “I wonder if...” workout. 🤔
 
📦
🎯 Practice Hub — I wonder if: -(으)ㄴ/는가 싶다
 
Welcome to the quiet-thought lab. 🤔 You’ll practice turning clues into cautious inner guesses: delayed meetings, awkward moods, difficult explanations, quiet friends, and mysterious little “hmm, maybe...” moments. This grammar lets you share a thought without sounding too certain — very useful, very Korean, very soft-footed. 🐾
 
🔊 Audio reminder: Use
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets whenever you want to hear a sentence aloud.
 
📝 Instructions: Complete each prompt with the right -(으)ㄴ/는가 싶어요 form. Focus on whether the word is an action verb, adjective/descriptive verb, noun, or past situation, then check the Answer toggle.
 

Exercise 1 — Form Builder 🔧

A. 가다 → 친구가 집에 ＿＿＿＿.
[ga-da → chin-gu-ga ji-be ＿＿＿＿]
I wonder if my friend is going home. 🏠
Answer
가는가 싶어요 — action verb present + 는가 싶어요.
B. 오다 → 연락이 ＿＿＿＿.
[o-da → yeol-la-gi ＿＿＿＿]
I wonder if a message is coming. 📩
Answer
오는가 싶어요.
C. 막히다 → 길이 ＿＿＿＿.
[ma-ki-da → gi-ri ＿＿＿＿]
I wonder if the road is jammed. 🚗
Answer
막히는가 싶어요.
D. 늦어지다 → 회의가 ＿＿＿＿.
[neu-jeo-ji-da → hoe-ui-ga ＿＿＿＿]
I wonder if the meeting is getting delayed. 🕒
Answer
늦어지는가 싶어요.
E. 바쁘다 → 선생님이 ＿＿＿＿.
[ba-ppeu-da → seon-saeng-ni-mi ＿＿＿＿]
I wonder if the teacher is busy. 👩‍🏫
Answer
바쁜가 싶어요 — adjective + ㄴ가 싶어요.
F. 좋다 → 이 방법이 ＿＿＿＿.
[jo-ta → i bang-beo-bi ＿＿＿＿]
I wonder if this method is good. 🧭
Answer
좋은가 싶어요 — consonant-ending adjective + 은가 싶어요.
G. 어렵다 → 문제가 ＿＿＿＿.
[eo-ryeop-da → mun-je-ga ＿＿＿＿]
I wonder if the problem is difficult. 🧩
Answer
어려운가 싶어요.
H. 어색하다 → 분위기가 ＿＿＿＿.
[eo-sae-ka-da → bun-wi-gi-ga ＿＿＿＿]
I wonder if the atmosphere is awkward. 😶
Answer
어색한가 싶어요.
I. 학생 → 그분이 ＿＿＿＿.
[hak-saeng → geu-bu-ni ＿＿＿＿]
I wonder if that person is a student. 🎒
Answer
학생인가 싶어요 — noun + 인가 싶어요.
J. 문제 → 이게 ＿＿＿＿.
[mun-je → i-ge ＿＿＿＿]
I wonder if this is a problem. 🧩
Answer
문제인가 싶어요.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 가다 → to go
  • 집 → home
  • 연락 → contact / message
  • 막히다 → to be jammed/blocked
  • 늦어지다 → to become delayed
  • 선생님 → teacher
  • 방법 → method
  • 문제 → problem
  • 분위기 → atmosphere
  • 그분 → that person
Tip 💡 Action present uses 는가; adjectives use -(으)ㄴ가; nouns use 인가.
 

Exercise 2 — Read the Clue 🕵️

A. 답장이 없어요. 친구가 ＿＿＿＿.
[dap-jang-i eop-sseo-yo. chin-gu-ga ＿＿＿＿]
There is no reply. I wonder if my friend is busy. 📱
Answer
바쁜가 싶어요.
B. 사람이 많아요. 길이 ＿＿＿＿.
[sa-ra-mi ma-na-yo. gi-ri ＿＿＿＿]
There are many people. I wonder if the road is jammed. 🚗
Answer
막히는가 싶어요.
C. 회의가 아직 안 시작해요. 조금 ＿＿＿＿.
[hoe-ui-ga a-jik an si-ja-kae-yo. jo-geum ＿＿＿＿]
The meeting still has not started. I wonder if it is getting a little delayed. 🕒
Answer
늦어지는가 싶어요.
D. 설명이 길어요. 조금 ＿＿＿＿.
[seol-myeong-i gi-reo-yo. jo-geum ＿＿＿＿]
The explanation is long. I wonder if it is a little difficult. 📚
Answer
어려운가 싶어요.
E. 다들 조용해요. 분위기가 ＿＿＿＿.
[da-deul jo-yong-hae-yo. bun-wi-gi-ga ＿＿＿＿]
Everyone is quiet. I wonder if the atmosphere is awkward. 😶
Answer
어색한가 싶어요.
F. 표정이 안 좋아요. 기분이 ＿＿＿＿.
[pyo-jeong-i an jo-a-yo. gi-bu-ni ＿＿＿＿]
The expression does not look good. I wonder if the mood is not good. 😟
Answer
안 좋은가 싶어요.
G. 가격이 높아요. 조금 ＿＿＿＿.
[ga-gyeo-gi no-pa-yo. jo-geum ＿＿＿＿]
The price is high. I wonder if it is a little expensive. 💸
Answer
비싼가 싶어요.
H. 문이 닫혀 있어요. 가게가 오늘 ＿＿＿＿.
[mu-ni da-chyeo i-sseo-yo. ga-ge-ga o-neul ＿＿＿＿]
The door is closed. I wonder if the store is closed today. 🏪
Answer
쉬는가 싶어요.
I. 설명이 달라요. 이게 ＿＿＿＿.
[seol-myeong-i dal-la-yo. i-ge ＿＿＿＿]
The explanation is different. I wonder if this is a mistake. 📝
Answer
실수인가 싶어요.
J. 질문이 많아요. 수업이 ＿＿＿＿.
[jil-mu-ni ma-na-yo. su-eo-bi ＿＿＿＿]
There are many questions. I wonder if the class is difficult. 🏫
Answer
어려운가 싶어요.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 답장 → reply
  • 없다 → to not exist / not have
  • 사람 → person / people
  • 많다 → to be many/much
  • 아직 → still / yet
  • 조금 → a little
  • 다들 → everyone
  • 표정 → facial expression
  • 기분 → mood
  • 가격 → price
  • 높다 → to be high
  • 문 → door
  • 닫히다 → to be closed
  • 가게 → store
  • 쉬다 → to rest / be closed
  • 다르다 → to be different
  • 질문 → question
  • 수업 → class
Tip 💡 Clue first, quiet wondering second: “I notice this, so I wonder if...”
 

Exercise 3 — Past Wondering 🕰️

A. 오다 → 아까 누가 ＿＿＿＿.
[o-da → a-kka nu-ga ＿＿＿＿]
I wonder if someone came earlier. 🚪
Answer
왔나 싶어요 — past wondering uses -았/었나 싶어요.
B. 끝나다 → 회의가 벌써 ＿＿＿＿.
[kkeun-na-da → hoe-ui-ga beol-sseo ＿＿＿＿]
I wonder if the meeting already ended. ✅
Answer
끝났나 싶어요.
C. 피곤하다 → 친구가 어제 ＿＿＿＿.
[pi-gon-ha-da → chin-gu-ga eo-je ＿＿＿＿]
I wonder if my friend was tired yesterday. 😴
Answer
피곤했나 싶어요.
D. 시작하다 → 수업이 이미 ＿＿＿＿.
[si-ja-ka-da → su-eo-bi i-mi ＿＿＿＿]
I wonder if the class already started. 🏫
Answer
시작했나 싶어요.
E. 닫히다 → 문이 조용히 ＿＿＿＿.
[da-chi-da → mu-ni jo-yong-hi ＿＿＿＿]
I wonder if the door closed quietly. 🚪
Answer
닫혔나 싶어요.
F. 바뀌다 → 계획이 다시 ＿＿＿＿.
[ba-kkwi-da → gye-hoe-gi da-si ＿＿＿＿]
I wonder if the plan changed again. 🗓️
Answer
바뀌었나 싶어요.
G. 실수 → 그게 ＿＿＿＿.
[sil-su → geu-ge ＿＿＿＿]
I wonder if that was a mistake. 📝
Answer
실수였나 싶어요 — noun past uses 이었/였나 싶어요.
H. 문제 → 그 결정이 ＿＿＿＿.
[mun-je → geu gyeol-jeong-i ＿＿＿＿]
I wonder if that decision was a problem. 🧩
Answer
문제였나 싶어요.
I. 어렵다 → 시험이 너무 ＿＿＿＿.
[eo-ryeop-da → si-heo-mi neo-mu ＿＿＿＿]
I wonder if the exam was too difficult. 🧪
Answer
어려웠나 싶어요.
J. 좋다 → 방법이 ＿＿＿＿.
[jo-ta → bang-beo-bi ＿＿＿＿]
I wonder if the method was good. 🧭
Answer
좋았나 싶어요.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 아까 → earlier
  • 누가 → someone / who
  • 벌써 → already
  • 피곤하다 → to be tired
  • 어제 → yesterday
  • 이미 → already
  • 조용히 → quietly
  • 바뀌다 → to change
  • 계획 → plan
  • 다시 → again
  • 시험 → exam
  • 너무 → too / very
Tip 💡 Past wondering often uses -았/었나 싶어요: “I wondered if it happened / was true.”
 

Exercise 4 — Wondering, Question, Inference, or Maybe? 🔍

A. 바쁜가 ＿＿＿＿.
[ba-ppeun-ga ＿＿＿＿]
I wonder if they are busy. 📱
Answer
싶어요 — internal wondering.
B. 바쁜가요?
[ba-ppeun-ga-yo]
Are they busy? ❓
Answer
This is a soft question — -(으)ㄴ가요?, not -(으)ㄴ가 싶어요.
C. 문제인가 ＿＿＿＿.
[mun-je-in-ga ＿＿＿＿]
I wonder if it is a problem. 🧩
Answer
싶어요.
D. 문제인가요?
[mun-je-in-ga-yo]
Is it a problem? ❓
Answer
This asks someone directly — 문제인가 싶어요 shares an inner thought.
E. 문제인가 ＿＿＿＿.
[mun-je-in-ga ＿＿＿＿]
I guess it is a problem. 🔎
Answer
봐요 — 인가 봐요 is evidence-based inference.
F. 문제일지도 ＿＿＿＿.
[mun-je-il-ji-do ＿＿＿＿]
It might be a problem. 🌙
Answer
몰라요 — weak possibility.
G. 집에 갈까 ＿＿＿＿.
[ji-be gal-kka ＿＿＿＿]
I’m thinking maybe I’ll go home. 🏠
Answer
싶어요 — -(으)ㄹ까 싶다 is a tentative plan.
H. 길이 막히는가 ＿＿＿＿.
[gi-ri ma-ki-neun-ga ＿＿＿＿]
I wonder if the road is jammed. 🚗
Answer
싶어요.
I. 길이 막히는가 ＿＿＿＿.
[gi-ri ma-ki-neun-ga ＿＿＿＿]
I guess the road is jammed. 🔎
Answer
봐요 — inference, not internal wondering.
J. 늦어지는가 ＿＿＿＿.
[neu-jeo-ji-neun-ga ＿＿＿＿]
I wonder if it is getting delayed. 🕒
Answer
싶어요.
🧭
Decision Box
  • 바쁜가 싶어요 → I wonder if they are busy
  • 바쁜가요? → Are they busy?
  • 문제인가 봐요 → I guess it is a problem
  • 문제일지도 몰라요 → It might be a problem
  • 갈까 싶어요 → I’m thinking maybe I’ll go
Tip 💡 싶어요 after -(으)ㄴ/는가 sounds like quiet wondering.
 

Exercise 5 — Mixed Mastery + Pitfall Patrol 🛡️

A. ❌ 바쁜가싶어요 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
[ba-ppeun-ga-si-peo-yo → ＿＿＿＿]
Fix the spacing. ✍️
Answer
바쁜가 싶어요 — write 싶어요 separately.
B. ❌ 먹은가 싶어요 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
[meo-geun-ga si-peo-yo → ＿＿＿＿]
Fix the present action form. 🍽️
Answer
먹는가 싶어요 — action verb present uses 는가.
C. ❌ 좋는가 싶어요 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
[jon-neun-ga si-peo-yo → ＿＿＿＿]
Fix the adjective form. 👍
Answer
좋은가 싶어요 — adjective + 은가.
D. ❌ 문제는가 싶어요 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
[mun-je-neun-ga si-peo-yo → ＿＿＿＿]
Fix the noun form. 🧩
Answer
문제인가 싶어요 — noun + 인가.
E. ❌ 학생은가 싶어요 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
[hak-saeng-eun-ga si-peo-yo → ＿＿＿＿]
Fix another noun form. 🎒
Answer
학생인가 싶어요.
F. 친구가 ＿＿＿＿.
[chin-gu-ga ＿＿＿＿]
I wonder if my friend is sleeping. 😴
Answer
자는가 싶어요 — 자다 = to sleep; action present + 는가.
G. 그 말이 ＿＿＿＿.
[geu ma-ri ＿＿＿＿]
I wonder if those words are true. 🗣️
Answer
사실인가 싶어요 — 사실 = truth/fact; noun + 인가.
H. 연락이 이미 ＿＿＿＿.
[yeol-la-gi i-mi ＿＿＿＿]
I wonder if the message already came. 📩
Answer
왔나 싶어요 — past wondering.
I. 시험이 ＿＿＿＿.
[si-heo-mi ＿＿＿＿]
I wonder if the exam is difficult. 🧪
Answer
어려운가 싶어요.
J. -(으)ㄴ/는가 싶다 is strongest when:
Answer
You want to share a cautious inner thought: “I wonder if...” or “I’m thinking maybe...”
📚
Final Check
  • 먹는가 싶어요 → I wonder if they eat / are eating
  • 좋은가 싶어요 → I wonder if it is good
  • 문제인가 싶어요 → I wonder if it is a problem
  • 왔나 싶어요 → I wonder if someone came
  • 자다 → to sleep
  • 그 말 → those words / that statement
  • 사실 → truth / fact
Tip 💡 This pattern is soft because the speaker is thinking, not announcing a certainty.
 
🎉 Cautious-wondering grammar mastered! With -(으)ㄴ/는가 싶다, you can share gentle inner thoughts like 바쁜가 싶어요, 문제인가 싶어요, and 막히는가 싶어요. Tiny thought bubble, big Korean nuance. 🤔✨