Pattern: -(으)ㄹ까 봐
-(으)ㄹ까 봐 (-(eu)ㄹkkabwa, (eu)ㄹkkabwa)
-(으)ㄹ까 봐 expresses worry or concern about something. It naturally conveys your anxiety to others.
When and how native speakers actually use it.
Expresses worry or fear that something might happen.
When to use
expressing worry, future uncertainty, preventive action
The nuance
Attach -(으)ㄹ까 봐 to the verb or adjective stem. It expresses worry about a possible future event, often followed by an action taken to prevent or prepare for that event. For example, 'I took an umbrella because I was worried it might rain.'
비가 올까 봐 우산을 챙겼어요.
bi-ga ol-kka bwa u-san-eul chaeng-gyeoss-eo-yo., bi ga ol kka bwa u san eul chaeng gyeoss eo yo.
-(으)ㄹ까 봐 expresses worry about rain, and the action (taking an umbrella) follows logically.
늦을까 봐 일찍 출발했어요.
neuj-eul-kka bwa il-jjik chul-bal-haess-eo-yo., neuj eul kka bwa il jjik chul bal haess eo yo.
Expresses worry about being late and the preventive action of leaving early.
그 사람이 올까 봐 기다렸어요.
geu sa-ram-i ol-kka bwa gi-da-ryeoss-eo-yo., geu sa ram i ol kka bwa gi da ryeoss eo yo.
Worry about someone coming leads to the action of waiting.
시험에 떨어질까 봐 공부를 많이 했어요.
si-heom-e tteol-eo-jil-kka bwa gong-bu-reul man-i haess-eo-yo., si heom e tteol eo jil kka bwa gong bu reul man i haess eo yo.
Expresses worry about failing and the action taken to prevent it.
너무 늦을까 봐 걱정했어요.
neo-mu neuj-eul-kka bwa geok-jeong-haess-eo-yo., neo mu neuj eul kka bwa geok jeong haess eo yo.
Can be used just to express worry without a following preventive action.
그 사람이 올까 봐 기다리지 않았어요.
geu sa-ram-i ol-kka bwa gi-da-ri-ji an-ass-eo-yo., geu sa ram i ol kka bwa gi da ri ji an ass eo yo.
Negative action with -(으)ㄹ까 봐 is possible but usually the reason and action must clearly connect; here it sounds unnatural.
비가 올까 봐 걱정했어요, 하지만 우산을 안 가져왔어요.
bi-ga ol-kka bwa geok-jeong-haess-eo-yo, ha-ji-man u-san-eul an ga-jyeo-wass-eo-yo., bi ga ol kka bwa geok jeong haess eo yo, ha ji man u san eul an ga jyeo wass eo yo.
Expresses worry and then contrasts it with the actual action.
내일 날씨가 좋을까 봐 걱정돼요.
nae-il nal-ssi-ga joh-eul-kka bwa geok-jeong-dwae-yo., nae il nal ssi ga joh eul kka bwa geok jeong dwae yo.
Naturally expresses worry about future weather.
What does -(으)ㄹ까 봐 mean?
Which sentence correctly uses -(으)ㄹ까 봐?
Which cannot follow -(으)ㄹ까 봐?
