Korean - Future Tense
The Future Tense in Korean is used to express predictions, intentions, plans, or willingness to do something. Unlike English, which uses auxiliary verbs like "will," Korean typically uses two main grammatical structures to express the future: the Intention/Plan Future (~(으)ㄹ 거예요) and the Conjecture/Guess Future (~겠어요).
1. Intention/Plan Future: ~(으)ㄹ 거예요
This is the most common and versatile way to express the future, covering both future events/predictions and the speaker's intention/plan. It is formed by attaching the structure to the verb stem.
A. Structure and Usage
| Stem Ends In... | Structure | Final Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vowel or $ㄹ$ | ㄹ 거예요 (l geo-yeyo) | 가 + ㄹ 거예요 $\rightarrow$ 갈 거예요 | I will go / I plan to go |
| Consonant | 을 거예요 (eul geo-yeyo) | 먹 + 을 거예요 $\rightarrow$ 먹을 거예요 | I will eat / I plan to eat |
B. Examples
- Prediction/Event:
- 내일 비가 올 거예요.
- Naeil biga ol geo-yeyo.
- It will rain tomorrow (a prediction).
- Intention/Plan (Speaker's Future):
- 저는 숙제를 할 거예요.
- Jeo-neun sukje-reul hal geo-yeyo.
- I will do my homework (a plan/intention).
2. Conjecture/Guess Future: ~겠어요
The ~겠어요 (gesseoyo) ending is primarily used to express the speaker's conjecture, assumption, or strong will/determination. It is attached directly to the verb/adjective stem, regardless of its final sound.
A. Usage as Conjecture (Guess/Assumption)
When used to talk about things other than the speaker, it expresses a guess or assumption.
- Example 3 (Second/Third Person):
- (음식을 보고) 맛있겠어요!
- (Eumsik-eul bogo) Masit-gesseoyo!
- (Looking at the food) It must be delicious! (A guess/strong impression).
- 피곤하시겠어요.
- Pigonha-si-gesseoyo.
- You must be tired. (An assumption about the listener's state).
B. Usage as Speaker's Will/Ability (Determination)
When used with the first person (I/we), it expresses a strong determination or a formal statement of ability/willingness.
- Example 4 (First Person):
- 제가 하겠습니다. (Formal)
- Je-ga hagesseumnida.
- I will do it (I am determined/willing to do it). (Often used in a formal setting, like at a job/public event).
- 저는 한국어를 더 열심히 배우겠어요. (Determination)
- Jeo-neun hangugeo-reul deo yeolsimhi baeu-gesseoyo.
- I will study Korean more diligently.
Summary of Key Differences
| Structure | Primary Function | Subject Focus | Nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| ~(으)ㄹ 거예요 | General future event, prediction, personal plan/intention. | All persons (I, you, he/she/it). | Common, neutral expression of the future. |
| ~겠어요 | Speaker's strong assumption/guess, or speaker's strong will/determination (formal). | I (for will), You/It (for assumption). | More expressive, formal, or used for immediate assumptions. |