(으)ㄹ 게요
Description
Verb + (으)ㄹ게요 : This pattern is used for the future tense. Even by native Korean speakers, the 게요 is often mispelled as 께요. This pattern has several restrictions, see the notes below.
Notes
- This pattern is restricted to first person usage.
- To make this the low form (반말) simply drop the 요 ending.
- This pattern can only be used as a statement and cannot be used as a question.
- This pattern must be used in a way to where the other person you are speaking to is somewhat related to the situation you are describing with the verb. "I" must be the subject of the action (though it is also acceptable for suggestions where it can also be "we"). See below:
- This pattern should be used when the action relates to the listener(s) directly or if it's for the listener(s)' sake.
| Situation | Korean | English | Comment | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two people talking on the phone | "내일 전화할게요." | "I'll call you tomorrow." | Telling the other person you will call is done for the listener's sake. | 
|
| Two people chatting on the internet | "내가 먼저 잘게." | "I'm going to bed (sleep) first." | The relationship between the speakers is that they are currently talking to each other, by going to sleep, they will no longer be talking. |
|
| The speaker is telling a random friend that he is going to move next week | "다음 주에 내가 이사할게." | "I'm moving next week." | There is no relationship between the person moving and the listener knowing, so "다음 주에 내가 이사할 거야." sounds more natural. | 
|
| The speaker is telling his roommate he is going to move next week | "다음 주에 내가 이사할게." | "I'm moving next week." | Since it's his roommate, there is a direct relation because they won't be living together anymore. |
|
| General conversation | "영희가 갈게요" | "Young Hee is leaving." | This pattern can only be used in the first person form, so "영희가 갈 거예요" should be used. |
|
Pronunciation
- Due to consonant assimilation rules, the ㄱ in 게 gets pronounced as '께.' See page ' ㄹ grammar + ㄱ, ㄷ, ㅂ, ㅅ, ㅈ' for an explanation on the rule.
Morphology
(으)ㄹ 게(요) is abbreviated from the prospective modifier (으)ㄹ plus 것 plus the copula 이다.
Conjugation Rule
| Pattern | Case | Example | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rule 1: | Verb + ㄹ게요 | If there is no 받침 or if the adjective/verb stem has ㄹ as a 받침 | 가다 → 갈게요 오다 → 올게요 전화하다 → 전화할게요 팔다 → 팔게요 |
| Rule 2: | Verb + 을게요 | If there is a 받침 at the end of the adjective/verb stem | 먹다 → 먹을게요 받다 → 받을게요 |
Sentence Examples
| Korean | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 나중에 전화 할게. | I'll call you later. | Low form (반말) |
| 내 친구 소개시켜 줄게요. | I'll introduce my friend to you. | Informal polite |
| 맥주 마시러 갈래? 내가 살게. | Do you wanna go grab a beer? It's on me. | Low form (반말) |
| 가방 들어 줄게요. | Let me give you a hand with your luggage. | Informal polite |
| 기다릴게. | I'm waiting for you. | Low form (반말) |
| 확인해 볼게요. | Let me check. | Informal polite |
| 미안해. 다시는 안 늦을게. | Sorry, I'll never be late again | Low form (반말) |
| 다시는 안 그럴게요. | I'll never do that again. | Informal polite |
| 내가 먼저 씻을게. | I'll take a shower before you. | Low form (반말) |
| 죄송합니다만, 길 좀 물어볼게요. | Excuse me but can I ask you for directions? | Informal polite |
Misc
- Sometimes when speaking or text messaging, people say "하께" instead of "할께".
See Also
