TL;DR 🦄
- 😭 -(으)ㄹ걸 그랬어요 [-(eu)l-geol geu-rae-sseo-yo] means “I should have…” when you regret not doing something in the past.
- 🧠 Use it when you look back and think: “Oops. Doing A would have been better.”
- ✍️ Formation depends on the verb stem: vowel stem → ㄹ걸 그랬어요, consonant stem → 을걸 그랬어요. Tiny ending, big regret. 🧱
🎧 Iru Helper Note — Use 
Korean Helper Widgets to hear 일찍 갈걸 그랬어요, 우산을 가져올걸 그랬어요, 미리 공부할걸 그랬어요, and 택시를 탈걸 그랬어요. Listen for the soft “I should have…” regret feeling. 😅
🌈 The Big Picture
-(으)ㄹ걸 그랬어요 is the Korean “I should have…” regret pattern.
It looks back at something you did not do or wish you had done differently.
Think:
- I should have done A.
- It would have been better if I had done A.
- I regret not doing A.
- Why didn’t I do A? That would have helped.
Examples:
- 일찍 잘걸 그랬어요.
[il-jjik jal-geol geu-rae-sseo-yo]
I should have slept early. 😴
일찍 = early; 자다 = to sleep.
- 우산을 가져올걸 그랬어요.
[u-sa-neul ga-jyeo-ol-geol geu-rae-sseo-yo]
I should have brought an umbrella. ☔
우산 = umbrella; 가져오다 = to bring.
- 미리 예약할걸 그랬어요.
[mi-ri ye-ya-kal-geol geu-rae-sseo-yo]
I should have reserved in advance. 📅
미리 = in advance; 예약하다 = to reserve.
The key feeling is regret after the chance has passed. You are not planning to do it now; you are looking back and wishing you had done it then.
🎨 The Core -(으)ㄹ걸 그랬어요 Family
1. Vowel stem + ㄹ걸 그랬어요
Use this when the verb stem ends in a vowel.
- 가다 [ga-da] → 갈걸 그랬어요 [gal-geol geu-rae-sseo-yo] — I should have gone.
- 보다 [bo-da] → 볼걸 그랬어요 [bol-geol geu-rae-sseo-yo] — I should have watched/seen it.
- 사다 [sa-da] → 살걸 그랬어요 [sal-geol geu-rae-sseo-yo] — I should have bought it.
- 기다리다 [gi-da-ri-da] → 기다릴걸 그랬어요 [gi-da-ril-geol geu-rae-sseo-yo] — I should have waited.
2. Consonant stem + 을걸 그랬어요
Use this when the verb stem ends in a consonant.
- 먹다 [meok-da] → 먹을걸 그랬어요 [meo-geul-geol geu-rae-sseo-yo] — I should have eaten it.
- 읽다 [ik-da] → 읽을걸 그랬어요 [il-geul-geol geu-rae-sseo-yo] — I should have read it.
- 듣다 [deut-da] → 들을걸 그랬어요 [deu-reul-geol geu-rae-sseo-yo] — I should have listened.
- 입다 [ip-da] → 입을걸 그랬어요 [i-beul-geol geu-rae-sseo-yo] — I should have worn it.
3. ㄹ-ending stems + 걸 그랬어요
If the verb stem already ends in ㄹ, do not add another ㄹ.
- 만들다 [man-deul-da] → 만들걸 그랬어요 [man-deul-geol geu-rae-sseo-yo] — I should have made it.
- 살다 [sal-da] → 살걸 그랬어요 [sal-geol geu-rae-sseo-yo] — I should have lived.
- 놀다 [nol-da] → 놀걸 그랬어요 [nol-geol geu-rae-sseo-yo] — I should have played/hung out.
4. Stronger spoken regret: -(으)ㄹ걸요 vs. full pattern
-(으)ㄹ걸요 can sound like a softer, shorter regret or realization depending on context, but -(으)ㄹ걸 그랬어요 clearly means I should have done it.
- 일찍 올걸요. — I probably should have come early. / I should have come early.
- 일찍 올걸 그랬어요. — I should have come early. (clear regret)
🛠️ How It Works in a Sentence
This pattern names the action you now regret not doing.
1. Weather regret
- 비가 이렇게 올 줄 알았으면 우산을 가져올걸 그랬어요.
[bi-ga i-reo-ke ol jul a-ra-sseu-myeon u-sa-neul ga-jyeo-ol-geol geu-rae-sseo-yo]
If I had known it would rain like this, I should have brought an umbrella. ☔
비가 오다 = to rain; 줄 알다 = to know/expect that; 우산 = umbrella.
2. Study regret
- 시험이 이렇게 어려울 줄 몰랐어요. 미리 공부할걸 그랬어요.
[si-heo-mi i-reo-ke eo-ryeo-ul jul mol-la-sseo-yo. mi-ri gong-bu-hal-geol geu-rae-sseo-yo]
I didn’t know the test would be this hard. I should have studied in advance. 📚
시험 = test; 어렵다 = to be difficult; 공부하다 = to study.
3. Travel regret
- 길이 이렇게 막힐 줄 알았으면 지하철을 탈걸 그랬어요.
[gi-ri i-reo-ke ma-kil jul a-ra-sseu-myeon ji-ha-cheo-reul tal-geol geu-rae-sseo-yo]
If I had known traffic would be this bad, I should have taken the subway. 🚇
길이 막히다 = traffic is jammed; 지하철을 타다 = to take the subway.
4. Food regret
- 그 음식이 그렇게 매운 줄 몰랐어요. 물을 미리 시킬걸 그랬어요.
[geu eum-si-gi geu-reo-ke mae-un jul mol-la-sseo-yo. mu-reul mi-ri si-kil-geol geu-rae-sseo-yo]
I didn’t know that food would be that spicy. I should have ordered water in advance. 🌶️
음식 = food; 맵다 = to be spicy; 시키다 = to order.
🧩 General Formation Rule
1. Verb stem + -(으)ㄹ걸 그랬어요
Take the dictionary form, remove 다, then add the right form.
Dictionary form | Stem type | Regret form | Meaning |
가다 | vowel stem | 갈걸 그랬어요 | I should have gone. |
먹다 | consonant stem | 먹을걸 그랬어요 | I should have eaten. |
듣다 | ㄷ-irregular | 들을걸 그랬어요 | I should have listened. |
만들다 | ㄹ-ending stem | 만들걸 그랬어요 | I should have made. |
2. Negative regret: -지 말걸 그랬어요
Use this when you regret doing something and mean “I should not have…”
- 그 말을 하지 말걸 그랬어요.
[geu ma-reul ha-ji mal-geol geu-rae-sseo-yo]
I shouldn’t have said that.
- 너무 많이 먹지 말걸 그랬어요.
[neo-mu ma-ni meok-ji mal-geol geu-rae-sseo-yo]
I shouldn’t have eaten so much.
This lesson focuses on regret over past inaction — “I should have done it” — but the negative version is important for contrast.
3. Casual versions
The sentence can become more casual or more formal:
- 갈걸 그랬어요. — polite
- 갈걸 그랬어. — casual
- 갈걸 그랬습니다. — formal
4. Common lead-ins
These phrases often appear before the regret pattern:
- 이럴 줄 알았으면... — if I had known this would happen...
- 그럴 줄 알았으면... — if I had known that would happen...
- 미리... — in advance...
- 차라리... — rather / instead...
- 그냥... — just...
📚 Cross-check note
Korean regret expressions overlap in English, but they do different jobs. -(으)ㄹ걸 그랬어요 points to the action you now wish you had done, while -았/었어야 했는데 also means “I should have…” but often sounds like “I should have done it, but…” with more emphasis on the missed obligation or expectation. ✅
🪞 Synonym Alert
These can all express regret, but they are not identical:
- -(으)ㄹ걸 그랬어요 — I should have done it; wistful regret 😭
- -았/었어야 했는데 — I should have done it, but...; missed obligation/expectation 📌
- -지 말걸 그랬어요 — I shouldn’t have done it 🚫
- -지 말았어야 했는데 — I shouldn’t have done it, but... 🚧
- 아쉽다 — it’s a shame / I feel regretful 😕
Quick distinction:
- 미리 예약할걸 그랬어요. — I should have reserved in advance. (regretful hindsight)
- 미리 예약했어야 했는데. — I should have reserved in advance, but... (missed expectation; often leaves the result implied)
- 너무 많이 먹지 말걸 그랬어요. — I shouldn’t have eaten so much.
⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge
- ❌ 갈걸 했어요 → ✅ 갈걸 그랬어요. Keep the full pattern.
- ❌ 먹ㄹ걸 그랬어요 → ✅ 먹을걸 그랬어요. Consonant stem needs 을.
- ❌ 만들을걸 그랬어요 → ✅ 만들걸 그랬어요. ㄹ-ending stems do not take extra 을.
- ❌ Using it for a future plan → ✅ Use it for regret about a past missed action.
- ❌ Using positive form when you regret doing something → ✅ use -지 말걸 그랬어요.
- ⚠️ 갈걸요 can be shorter and context-dependent; 갈걸 그랬어요 is clearer for “I should have gone.”
😭 Bottom line: -(으)ㄹ걸 그랬어요 lets you express hindsight regret: “I should have done that.” It is perfect for missed umbrellas, late studying, bad traffic choices, and every tiny life lesson your past self ignored. ✨
Try this exercise
Instructions: Complete each blank with the correct -(으)ㄹ걸 그랬어요 form. Read the sentence aloud, then check the Answer toggle.
1. 가다 → 일찍 ＿＿＿＿.
[ga-da → il-jjik ＿＿＿＿]
I should have gone early. 🚶
Answer
갈걸 그랬어요 — vowel stem + ㄹ걸 그랬어요.
2. 먹다 → 아침을 ＿＿＿＿.
[meok-da → a-chi-meul ＿＿＿＿]
I should have eaten breakfast. 🍳
Answer
먹을걸 그랬어요 — consonant stem + 을걸 그랬어요.
3. 예약하다 → 미리 ＿＿＿＿.
[ye-ya-ka-da → mi-ri ＿＿＿＿]
I should have reserved in advance. 📅
Answer
예약할걸 그랬어요.
4. 듣다 → 조언을 ＿＿＿＿.
[deut-da → jo-eo-neul ＿＿＿＿]
I should have listened to the advice. 👂
Answer
들을걸 그랬어요 — 듣다 changes to 들- before vowel-starting endings.
5. 만들다 → 직접 ＿＿＿＿.
[man-deul-da → jik-jeop ＿＿＿＿]
I should have made it myself. 🛠️
Answer
만들걸 그랬어요 — no extra 을 after an ㄹ-ending stem.
6. 자다 → 일찍 ＿＿＿＿.
[ja-da → il-jjik ＿＿＿＿]
I should have slept early. 😴
Answer
잘걸 그랬어요.
7. Choose: “I should have brought an umbrella.”
① 우산을 가져올걸 그랬어요 / ② 우산을 가져오지 말걸 그랬어요
Answer
① 우산을 가져올걸 그랬어요.
8. Choose: “I shouldn’t have said that.”
① 그 말을 할걸 그랬어요 / ② 그 말을 하지 말걸 그랬어요
Answer
② 그 말을 하지 말걸 그랬어요.
9. Fix: ❌ 먹ㄹ걸 그랬어요
Answer
먹을걸 그랬어요.
10. Fix: ❌ 만들을걸 그랬어요
Answer
만들걸 그랬어요.
Vocabulary Box
- 일찍 → early
- 아침 → breakfast / morning
- 미리 → in advance
- 예약하다 → to reserve
- 조언 → advice
- 듣다 → to listen
- 직접 → directly / personally
- 만들다 → to make
- 자다 → to sleep
- 우산 → umbrella
- 가져오다 → to bring
- 말 → words / thing said
Tip 💡 Ask: “Do I regret not doing it?” If yes, use -(으)ㄹ걸 그랬어요.
Want more reps? Keep going into the Practice Hub below for form building, real-life regret, negative regret, and full sentence practice. 😭
🎯 Practice Hub — Regret over Past Inaction: -(으)ㄹ걸 그랬어요
Welcome to the hindsight lab. 🧪 You’ll practice tiny Korean regrets: missed umbrellas, skipped breakfast, late reservations, ignored advice, and other decisions your past self is now side-eyeing.
🔊 Audio reminder: Use Korean Helper Widgets whenever you want to hear a completed sentence aloud.
📝 Instructions: Fill each blank, read the full Korean sentence aloud, then open the Answer toggle. Ask: “What do I wish I had done?”
Exercise 1 — Form Builder: Make the Regret Phrase 🔧
A. 가다 → ＿＿＿＿
[ga-da → ＿＿＿＿]
I should have gone
Answer
갈걸 그랬어요.
B. 오다 → ＿＿＿＿
[o-da → ＿＿＿＿]
I should have come
Answer
올걸 그랬어요.
C. 먹다 → ＿＿＿＿
[meok-da → ＿＿＿＿]
I should have eaten
Answer
먹을걸 그랬어요.
D. 읽다 → ＿＿＿＿
[ik-da → ＿＿＿＿]
I should have read
Answer
읽을걸 그랬어요.
E. 듣다 → ＿＿＿＿
[deut-da → ＿＿＿＿]
I should have listened
Answer
들을걸 그랬어요.
F. 예약하다 → ＿＿＿＿
[ye-ya-ka-da → ＿＿＿＿]
I should have reserved
Answer
예약할걸 그랬어요.
G. 기다리다 → ＿＿＿＿
[gi-da-ri-da → ＿＿＿＿]
I should have waited
Answer
기다릴걸 그랬어요.
H. 만들다 → ＿＿＿＿
[man-deul-da → ＿＿＿＿]
I should have made
Answer
만들걸 그랬어요.
I. 타다 → ＿＿＿＿
[ta-da → ＿＿＿＿]
I should have taken/ridden
Answer
탈걸 그랬어요.
J. 입다 → ＿＿＿＿
[ip-da → ＿＿＿＿]
I should have worn
Answer
입을걸 그랬어요.
Form Box
- vowel stem → ㄹ걸 그랬어요
- consonant stem → 을걸 그랬어요
- ㄹ-ending stem → keep ㄹ, no extra 을
- regret doing something → -지 말걸 그랬어요
Memory tip 💡 The action before 걸 그랬어요 is the action you wish you had done.
Exercise 2 — Everyday Regret 😅
A. 비가 오네요. 우산을 ＿＿＿＿.
[bi-ga o-ne-yo. u-sa-neul ＿＿＿＿]
It’s raining. I should have brought an umbrella.
Answer
가져올걸 그랬어요.
B. 배가 고파요. 아침을 ＿＿＿＿.
[bae-ga go-pa-yo. a-chi-meul ＿＿＿＿]
I’m hungry. I should have eaten breakfast.
Answer
먹을걸 그랬어요.
C. 표가 없네요. 미리 ＿＿＿＿.
[pyo-ga eom-ne-yo. mi-ri ＿＿＿＿]
There are no tickets. I should have reserved in advance.
Answer
예약할걸 그랬어요.
D. 길이 많이 막혀요. 지하철을 ＿＿＿＿.
[gi-ri ma-ni ma-kyeo-yo. ji-ha-cheo-reul ＿＿＿＿]
Traffic is really backed up. I should have taken the subway.
Answer
탈걸 그랬어요.
E. 너무 추워요. 코트를 ＿＿＿＿.
[neo-mu chu-wo-yo. ko-teu-reul ＿＿＿＿]
It’s too cold. I should have worn a coat.
Answer
입을걸 그랬어요.
F. 친구가 기다렸대요. 전화를 ＿＿＿＿.
[chin-gu-ga gi-da-ryeot-dae-yo. jeon-hwa-reul ＿＿＿＿]
My friend said they waited. I should have called.
Answer
할걸 그랬어요.
G. 설명이 어렵네요. 질문을 ＿＿＿＿.
[seol-myeong-i eo-ryeom-ne-yo. jil-mu-neul ＿＿＿＿]
The explanation is difficult. I should have asked a question.
Answer
할걸 그랬어요.
H. 시간이 부족해요. 어제 미리 ＿＿＿＿.
[si-ga-ni bu-jo-kae-yo. eo-je mi-ri ＿＿＿＿]
There isn’t enough time. I should have done it in advance yesterday.
Answer
할걸 그랬어요.
I. 음식이 너무 매워요. 물을 ＿＿＿＿.
[eum-si-gi neo-mu mae-wo-yo. mu-reul ＿＿＿＿]
The food is too spicy. I should have ordered water.
Answer
시킬걸 그랬어요.
J. 이 길은 위험하네요. 다른 길로 ＿＿＿＿.
[i gi-reun wi-heom-ha-ne-yo. da-reun gil-lo ＿＿＿＿]
This road is dangerous. I should have gone another way.
Answer
갈걸 그랬어요.
Everyday Regret Words
- 비가 오다 → to rain
- 우산 → umbrella
- 배가 고프다 → to be hungry
- 표 → ticket
- 미리 → in advance
- 길이 막히다 → traffic is backed up
- 코트 → coat
- 질문 → question
- 위험하다 → to be dangerous
Tip 💡 This grammar loves small real-life regrets.
Exercise 3 — Positive Regret or Negative Regret? ✅🚫
A. “I should have gone.”
① 갈걸 그랬어요 / ② 가지 말걸 그랬어요
Answer
① 갈걸 그랬어요.
B. “I shouldn’t have gone.”
① 갈걸 그랬어요 / ② 가지 말걸 그랬어요
Answer
② 가지 말걸 그랬어요.
C. “I should have bought it.”
① 살걸 그랬어요 / ② 사지 말걸 그랬어요
Answer
① 살걸 그랬어요.
D. “I shouldn’t have bought it.”
① 살걸 그랬어요 / ② 사지 말걸 그랬어요
Answer
② 사지 말걸 그랬어요.
E. “I should have eaten breakfast.”
① 아침을 먹을걸 그랬어요 / ② 아침을 먹지 말걸 그랬어요
Answer
① 아침을 먹을걸 그랬어요.
F. “I shouldn’t have eaten so much.”
① 많이 먹을걸 그랬어요 / ② 많이 먹지 말걸 그랬어요
Answer
② 많이 먹지 말걸 그랬어요.
G. “I should have listened to the advice.”
① 조언을 들을걸 그랬어요 / ② 조언을 듣지 말걸 그랬어요
Answer
① 조언을 들을걸 그랬어요.
H. “I shouldn’t have said that.”
① 그 말을 할걸 그랬어요 / ② 그 말을 하지 말걸 그랬어요
Answer
② 그 말을 하지 말걸 그랬어요.
I. “I should have waited.”
① 기다릴걸 그랬어요 / ② 기다리지 말걸 그랬어요
Answer
① 기다릴걸 그랬어요.
J. “I shouldn’t have waited.”
① 기다릴걸 그랬어요 / ② 기다리지 말걸 그랬어요
Answer
② 기다리지 말걸 그랬어요.
Positive vs. Negative Regret
- should have done → -(으)ㄹ걸 그랬어요
- should not have done → -지 말걸 그랬어요
Tip 💡 The action before 걸 그랬어요 is the action you now wish had happened. The action before 말걸 그랬어요 is the action you regret doing.
Exercise 4 — Complete the Hindsight Sentence 🧠
A. 이럴 줄 알았으면 일찍 ＿＿＿＿.
[i-reol jul a-ra-sseu-myeon il-jjik ＿＿＿＿]
If I had known this would happen, I should have come early.
Answer
올걸 그랬어요.
B. 이렇게 추울 줄 알았으면 코트를 ＿＿＿＿.
[i-reo-ke chu-ul jul a-ra-sseu-myeon ko-teu-reul ＿＿＿＿]
If I had known it would be this cold, I should have worn a coat.
Answer
입을걸 그랬어요.
C. 표가 없을 줄 알았으면 미리 ＿＿＿＿.
[pyo-ga eop-seul jul a-ra-sseu-myeon mi-ri ＿＿＿＿]
If I had known there would be no tickets, I should have reserved in advance.
Answer
예약할걸 그랬어요.
D. 이렇게 어려울 줄 알았으면 더 많이 ＿＿＿＿.
[i-reo-ke eo-ryeo-ul jul a-ra-sseu-myeon deo ma-ni ＿＿＿＿]
If I had known it would be this hard, I should have studied more.
Answer
공부할걸 그랬어요.
E. 길이 이렇게 막힐 줄 알았으면 지하철을 ＿＿＿＿.
[gi-ri i-reo-ke ma-kil jul a-ra-sseu-myeon ji-ha-cheo-reul ＿＿＿＿]
If I had known traffic would be this bad, I should have taken the subway.
Answer
탈걸 그랬어요.
F. 회의가 길어질 줄 알았으면 물을 ＿＿＿＿.
[hoe-ui-ga gi-reo-jil jul a-ra-sseu-myeon mu-reul ＿＿＿＿]
If I had known the meeting would get long, I should have brought water.
Answer
가져올걸 그랬어요.
G. 그렇게 중요할 줄 알았으면 더 자세히 ＿＿＿＿.
[geu-reo-ke jung-yo-hal jul a-ra-sseu-myeon deo ja-se-hi ＿＿＿＿]
If I had known it was that important, I should have listened more carefully.
Answer
들을걸 그랬어요.
H. 친구가 기다릴 줄 알았으면 먼저 ＿＿＿＿.
[chin-gu-ga gi-da-ril jul a-ra-sseu-myeon meon-jeo ＿＿＿＿]
If I had known my friend would wait, I should have contacted them first.
Answer
연락할걸 그랬어요.
Hindsight Starters
- 이럴 줄 알았으면... → if I had known this would happen...
- 그럴 줄 알았으면... → if I had known that would happen...
- 이렇게 ... 줄 알았으면... → if I had known it would be this...
- 미리 → in advance
- 더 → more
Tip 💡 These starters make the regret feel very natural.
Exercise 5 — Mixed Translation + Pitfall Patrol 🛡️
A. Translate: “I should have slept early.”
Answer
일찍 잘걸 그랬어요.
[il-jjik jal-geol geu-rae-sseo-yo]
B. Translate: “I should have brought an umbrella.”
Answer
우산을 가져올걸 그랬어요.
[u-sa-neul ga-jyeo-ol-geol geu-rae-sseo-yo]
C. Translate: “I should have studied in advance.”
Answer
미리 공부할걸 그랬어요.
[mi-ri gong-bu-hal-geol geu-rae-sseo-yo]
D. Translate: “I should have taken the subway.”
Answer
지하철을 탈걸 그랬어요.
[ji-ha-cheo-reul tal-geol geu-rae-sseo-yo]
E. Translate: “I shouldn’t have eaten so much.”
Answer
너무 많이 먹지 말걸 그랬어요.
[neo-mu ma-ni meok-ji mal-geol geu-rae-sseo-yo]
F. Fix: ❌ 갈걸 했어요
Answer
갈걸 그랬어요.
G. Fix: ❌ 먹ㄹ걸 그랬어요
Answer
먹을걸 그랬어요.
H. Fix: ❌ 만들을걸 그랬어요
Answer
만들걸 그랬어요.
I. Choose: regret not doing it
① 할걸 그랬어요 / ② 하지 말걸 그랬어요
Answer
① 할걸 그랬어요.
J. Choose: regret doing it
① 할걸 그랬어요 / ② 하지 말걸 그랬어요
Answer
② 하지 말걸 그랬어요.
Final Check
- 가다 → 갈걸 그랬어요
- 먹다 → 먹을걸 그랬어요
- 예약하다 → 예약할걸 그랬어요
- 듣다 → 들을걸 그랬어요
- 만들다 → 만들걸 그랬어요
- regret doing something → -지 말걸 그랬어요
Final Boss Rule 💡 -(으)ㄹ걸 그랬어요 points to the action you wish you had done before it was too late.
🎉 Practice complete. You can now express regret over missed actions with -(으)ㄹ걸 그랬어요: 갈걸 그랬어요, 먹을걸 그랬어요, 예약할걸 그랬어요, and 들을걸 그랬어요. Hindsight Korean unlocked. 😭✨
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