How to use 아야겠다/어야겠다 in Korean

Pattern: -(아/어)야겠다

-(아/어)야겠다 (-(a, (a, eo)ya-gess-da, eo)yagessda)

-(아/어)야겠다 expresses strong intention or determination. It's mainly used for future plans or resolutions.

Korean grammar usage of 아어야겠다 expressing strong intention

Usage guide

When and how native speakers actually use it.

-(아/어)야겠다(-(a, (a, eo)ya-gess-da, eo)yagessda)

An expression used when the speaker decides or strongly intends to do something.

When to use

Expressing resolution, Future plans, Strong intention

The nuance

Attach -(아/어)야겠다 to the verb stem. It expresses a decision or strong intention about a present or future action. It is not used in the past tense.

Real-world examples

  • 내일부터 운동을 해야겠다.

    nae-il-bu-teo un-dong-eul hae-ya-gess-da., nae il bu teo un dong eul hae ya gess da.

    Correct because it shows a firm decision to do something in the future.

  • 지금 바로 출발해야겠다.

    ji-geum ba-ro chul-bal-hae-ya-gess-da., ji geum ba ro chul bal hae ya gess da.

    Correct because it expresses a decision to act immediately.

  • 어제 공부해야겠다.

    eo-je gong-bu-hae-ya-gess-da., eo je gong bu hae ya gess da.

    Incorrect because -(아/어)야겠다 cannot be used for past actions.

  • 이 문제를 꼭 해결해야겠다.

    i mun-je-reul kkok hae-gyeol-hae-ya-gess-da., i mun je reul kkok hae gyeol hae ya gess da.

    Appropriate as it expresses strong intention and resolution.

  • 밥을 먹어야겠다.

    bap-eul meok-eo-ya-gess-da., bap eul meok eo ya gess da.

    Correct as it shows a decision to act now.

  • 그냥 포기해야겠다.

    geu-nyang po-gi-hae-ya-gess-da., geu nyang po gi hae ya gess da.

    Natural expression of decision or intention.

Quick quiz

  1. Which sentence correctly uses -(아/어)야겠다?

    다음 중 -(아/어)야겠다를 올바르게 사용한 문장은?(da-eumjung-(a, daeumjung(a, eo)ya-gess-da-reulol-ba-reu-gesa-yong-hanmun-jang-eun?, eo)yagessdareulolbareugesayonghanmunjangeun?)
  2. What is the best meaning of -(아/어)야겠다?

    -(아/어)야겠다의 의미로 가장 적절한 것은?(-(a, (a, eo)ya-gess-da-uiui-mi-roga-jangjeok-jeol-hangeos-eun?, eo)yagessdauiuimirogajangjeokjeolhangeoseun?)
  3. Which sentence is incorrect?

    다음 중 틀린 문장은?(da-eumjungteul-rinmun-jang-eun?, daeumjungteulrinmunjangeun?)

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