TL;DR
- 을까 생각하다 means "thinking of doing something" or "considering whether to do something" 🤔
- Attach 을까 to verb stems (받침 O) or ㄹ까 (받침 X), then add 생각하다
- Use it when you're mulling over a decision but haven't committed yet! 💡
What does it mean? 🎯
을까 생각하다 is your go-to pattern when you're considering doing something or thinking about whether to do it! 🤷♀️
It's perfect for those "hmm, should I...?" moments in life 💬
Think of it as your internal dialogue becoming external! 🗣️
How to build it 🔧
Verb stem + 을까/ㄹ까 + 생각하다
받침 있어요? (Has final consonant?) ➜ Use 을까 📌
받침 없어요? (No final consonant?) ➜ Use ㄹ까 🎈
Examples in action 🌟
→ 내일 학교에 갈까 생각하고 있어요.
(I'm thinking of going to school tomorrow.) 🏫
→ 저녁에 친구를 만날까 생각 중이에요.
(I'm considering meeting a friend in the evening.) 👥
→ 새 노트북을 살까 생각하다가 그냥 안 샀어요.
(I was thinking of buying a new laptop, but I didn't.) 💻
→ 회사를 그만둘까 생각했어요.
(I thought about quitting my job.) 💼
→ 주말에 부산에 갈까 생각해 봤어요.
(I considered going to Busan on the weekend.) 🚄
Common variations 🎨
You'll often see this pattern with extra words that emphasize the "thinking" process! 🧠
생각하고 있다 = actively thinking right now ⏰
생각 중이다 = in the middle of considering 🔄
생각해 보다 = tried thinking about it / gave it thought 💭
→ 이사할까 생각해 보고 있어요.
(I'm giving thought to moving.) 📦
Quick comparison 🔍
을까 생각하다 vs 을 거예요 🆚
- 을까 생각하다 = still deciding, not sure yet! 🤔
- 을 거예요 = already decided, will do it! ✅
→ 영화 볼까 생각 중이에요. (Still thinking... 🎬)
→ 영화 볼 거예요. (Decision made! 🍿)
Exceptions ⚠️
There are no major exceptions for this pattern! 🎉
Just remember that 생각하다 itself can take different forms (생각해요, 생각했어요, 생각할 거예요) depending on the tense you need! ⏳
Final tips 💡
This pattern is super natural in Korean conversation! 🇰🇷
Use it whenever you're mulling something over or showing that you're not 100% committed to a plan yet 😊
It makes you sound thoughtful and considerate! 🌸
Happy learning! 화이팅! 💪✨
Try the following exercise.
Fill in the blanks using -을까 생각하다 to express what you're thinking of doing. 💭
- 주말에 부산에 .
Answer
갈까 생각하다 / 갈까 생각해요 / 갈까 생각 중이에요
- 오늘 저녁에 친구들을 .
Answer
초대할까 생각하다 / 초대할까 생각해요 / 초대할까 생각 중이에요
- 다음 달에 새 노트북을 .
Answer
살까 생각하다 / 살까 생각해요 / 살까 생각 중이에요
- 내년에 대학원에 .
Answer
진학할까 생각하다 / 진학할까 생각해요 / 진학할까 생각 중이에요
- 이번 여름에 한국어 수업을 .
Answer
들을까 생각하다 / 들을까 생각해요 / 들을까 생각 중이에요
- 주말에 집에서 .
Answer
쉴까 생각하다 / 쉴까 생각해요 / 쉴까 생각 중이에요
- 생일 파티에 어떤 음식을 .
Answer
준비할까 생각하다 / 준비할까 생각해요 / 준비할까 생각 중이에요
- 다음 주에 머리를 .
Answer
자를까 생각하다 / 자를까 생각해요 / 자를까 생각 중이에요
- 저녁에 영화를 .
Answer
볼까 생각하다 / 볼까 생각해요 / 볼까 생각 중이에요
- 회사를 .
Answer
그만둘까 생각하다 / 그만둘까 생각해요 / 그만둘까 생각 중이에요
Vocabulary
주말 - weekend
부산 - Busan
초대하다 - to invite
노트북 - laptop
대학원 - graduate school
진학하다 - to advance to school
수업 - class
듣다 - to take (a class)
쉬다 - to rest
준비하다 - to prepare
머리 - hair
자르다 - to cut
그만두다 - to quit
Common mistakes ⚠️
- 🚫 Don't forget the question marker -을까/-ㄹ까 before 생각하다
- 🚫 Remember to use the verb stem, not the infinitive form (갈까 ⭕, 가다까 ❌)
- 🚫 -을까 생각하다 expresses consideration or contemplation, not certainty
- 🚫 Don't confuse with -으려고 하다 which shows stronger intention or plan