How to use 을/ㄹ까 봐서 in Korean

Real-world examples

• ⭕

  비가 올까 봐서 우산을 챙겼어요.

  bi-ga ol-kka bwa-seo u-san-eul chaeng-gyeoss-eo-yo., bi ga ol kka bwa seo u san eul chaeng gyeoss eo yo.

  Clearly expresses worry about possible rain and the reason for bringing an umbrella.

• ⭕

  늦을까 봐서 일찍 출발했어요.

  neuj-eul-kka bwa-seo il-jjik chul-bal-haess-eo-yo., neuj eul kka bwa seo il jjik chul bal haess eo yo.

  Shows concern about being late and explains leaving early as a precaution.

• ⭕

  시험에 떨어질까 봐서 열심히 공부했어요.

  si-heom-e tteol-eo-jil-kka bwa-seo yeol-sim-hi gong-bu-haess-eo-yo., si heom e tteol eo jil kka bwa seo yeol sim hi gong bu haess eo yo.

  Expresses fear of failing and the reason for studying hard.

• ⭕

  친구가 안 올까 봐서 기다렸어요.

  chin-gu-ga an ol-kka bwa-seo gi-da-ryeoss-eo-yo., chin gu ga an ol kka bwa seo gi da ryeoss eo yo.

  Shows worry about friend not coming and explains waiting.

• ⭕

  피곤할까 봐서 술을 마시지 않았어요.

  pi-gon-hal-kka bwa-seo sul-eul ma-si-ji an-ass-eo-yo., pi gon hal kka bwa seo sul eul ma si ji an ass eo yo.

  Clearly explains avoiding alcohol due to worry about getting tired.

• ⭕

  늦을까 봐서 택시를 탔어요.

  neuj-eul-kka bwa-seo taek-si-reul tass-eo-yo., neuj eul kka bwa seo taek si reul tass eo yo.

  Shows concern about being late and explains taking a taxi as precaution.

• ❌

  친구가 올까 봐서 걱정하지 않았어요.

  chin-gu-ga ol-kka bwa-seo geok-jeong-ha-ji an-ass-eo-yo., chin gu ga ol kka bwa seo geok jeong ha ji an ass eo yo.

  Using 'not worried' with '-ㄹ까 봐서' creates a contradiction, so it's incorrect.

1. Which sentence correctly uses '-(으)ㄹ까 봐서'?

   다음 중 '-(으)ㄹ까 봐서'를 올바르게 사용한 문장은?(da-eumjung'-(eu)ㄹkkabwa-seo'reulol-ba-reu-gesa-yong-hanmun-jang-eun?, daeumjung'(eu)ㄹkkabwaseo'reulolbareugesayonghanmunjangeun?)
   • 비가 올까 봐서 우산을 챙겼어요.(bi-gaol-kkabwa-seou-san-eulchaeng-gyeoss-eo-yo., bigaolkkabwaseousaneulchaenggyeosseoyo.)
   • 비가 올까 봐서 밖에 나가지 않았어요.(bi-gaol-kkabwa-seobakk-ena-ga-jian-ass-eo-yo., bigaolkkabwaseobakkenagajianasseoyo.)
   • 비가 올까 봐서 걱정하지 않았어요.(bi-gaol-kkabwa-seogeok-jeong-ha-jian-ass-eo-yo., bigaolkkabwaseogeokjeonghajianasseoyo.)

2. What is the best meaning of '-ㄹ까 봐서'?

   '-ㄹ까 봐서'의 의미로 가장 적절한 것은?('-ㄹkkabwa-seo'uiui-mi-roga-jangjeok-jeol-hangeos-eun?, 'ㄹkkabwaseo'uiuimirogajangjeokjeolhangeoseun?)
   • 확신을 표현할 때(hwak-sin-eulpyo-hyeon-halttae, hwaksineulpyohyeonhalttae)
   • 걱정이나 두려움을 표현할 때(geok-jeong-i-nadu-ryeo-um-eulpyo-hyeon-halttae, geokjeonginaduryeoumeulpyohyeonhalttae)
   • 명령할 때(myeong-ryeong-halttae, myeongryeonghalttae)

3. Which sentence is incorrect?

   다음 문장 중 틀린 문장은?(da-eummun-jangjungteul-rinmun-jang-eun?, daeummunjangjungteulrinmunjangeun?)
   • 늦을까 봐서 일찍 출발했어요.(neuj-eul-kkabwa-seoil-jjikchul-bal-haess-eo-yo., neujeulkkabwaseoiljjikchulbalhaesseoyo.)
   • 친구가 올까 봐서 걱정하지 않았어요.(chin-gu-gaol-kkabwa-seogeok-jeong-ha-jian-ass-eo-yo., chingugaolkkabwaseogeokjeonghajianasseoyo.)
   • 시험에 떨어질까 봐서 공부했어요.(si-heom-etteol-eo-jil-kkabwa-seogong-bu-haess-eo-yo., siheometteoleojilkkabwaseogongbuhaesseoyo.)