Pattern: -(으)ㄹ 거 같아요
-(으)ㄹ 거 같아요 (-(eu)ㄹgeogat-a-yo, (eu)ㄹgeogatayo)
-(으)ㄹ 거 같아요 expresses guesses or predictions about the future in Korean.
When and how native speakers actually use it.
A guess or prediction about a future event or situation
When to use
future prediction, expressing guesses, uncertain situations
The nuance
Attach -(으)ㄹ 거 같아요 to the verb or adjective stem to express a future guess or prediction. Use -을 거 같아요 if the stem ends with a consonant, and -ㄹ 거 같아요 if it ends with a vowel. It can be combined with action verbs in present tense forms for ongoing guesses.
내일 비가 올 거 같아요.
nae-il bi-ga ol geo gat-a-yo., nae il bi ga ol geo gat a yo.
'오다' ends with a vowel, so '-ㄹ 거 같아요' is correctly attached to express future guess.
그 사람이 지금 집에 있을 거 같아요.
geu sa-ram-i ji-geum jip-e iss-eul geo gat-a-yo., geu sa ram i ji geum jip e iss eul geo gat a yo.
'있다' ends with a consonant, so '-을 거 같아요' correctly expresses a guess about the current state.
저는 내일 시험을 볼 거 같아요.
jeo-neun nae-il si-heom-eul bol geo gat-a-yo., jeo neun nae il si heom eul bol geo gat a yo.
Verb '보다' ends with a vowel, so '-ㄹ 거 같아요' is correctly used for future prediction.
오늘은 날씨가 좋을 거 같아요.
o-neul-eun nal-ssi-ga joh-eul geo gat-a-yo., o neul eun nal ssi ga joh eul geo gat a yo.
Adjective '좋다' ends with a consonant, so '-을 거 같아요' is correctly attached.
나는 밥을 먹을 거 같아요.
na-neun bap-eul meok-eul geo gat-a-yo., na neun bap eul meok eul geo gat a yo.
'먹다' ends with a consonant, so '-을 거 같아요' is correctly used.
비가 올 거 같아요.
bi-ga ol geo gat-a-yo., bi ga ol geo gat a yo.
'오다' ends with a vowel, so '-ㄹ 거 같아요' is correctly attached.
나는 갈 거 같아요.
na-neun gal geo gat-a-yo., na neun gal geo gat a yo.
'가다' ends with a vowel, so '-ㄹ 거 같아요' is correctly used.
나는 갈 거 같아.
na-neun gal geo gat-a., na neun gal geo gat a.
The polite form '-(으)ㄹ 거 같아요' is standard; '-거 같아' is informal and not correct in formal contexts.
Which sentence correctly expresses a future guess?
Which sentence is incorrect?
When do you use '-을 거 같아요'?
