Welcome everyone to another Korean language lesson! Today, we’re diving into an interesting and important grammatical construct: “-(으)려나 보다”. This expression might initially seem complicated, but with a clear explanation and plenty of practice, you’ll soon be using it like a pro.
The “-(으)려나 보다” ending plays a significant role in the Korean language, especially when it comes to expressing speculation or assumptions about future events. Mastering this structure will enable you to convey your thoughts more accurately, adding depth to your conversations in Korean.
In this lesson, we’ll break down “-(으)려나 보다”, providing a comprehensive understanding of its usage, and how it fits into a variety of sentence structures. We’ll also provide ample examples and interactive exercises to ensure you have plenty of opportunities to practice. So, let’s get started and delve into the fascinating world of “-(으)려나 보다”. Enjoy the journey!
Conjugation
VERB + (으)려나 보다
- Take a verb i.e. 가다
- Drop “다” i.e. 가
- Add appropriate ending based on the below rules (in this case it is 가려나 보다)
- If the verb stem ends in a vowel, add -려나 보다
- If the verb stem ends in a consonant, add -으려나 보다
- 먹다 –> 먹 + 는다고 –> 먹으려나 보다 (I guess they will eat)
- 보다 –> 보 + ㄴ다고 –> 보려나 보다 (I guess they will see)
- 하다 –> 하 + ㄴ다고 –> 하려나 보다 (I guess they will do)
- 웃다 –> 웃 + 는다고 –> 웃으려나 보다 (I guess they will laugh)
Understanding the meaning of -(으)려나 보다
In Korean language, “-(으)려나 보다” is a grammatical expression that is often used to speculate or wonder about something that is likely to happen IN THE FUTURE. It is used when the speaker is not certain about the outcome but assumes that a certain event or action is likely to happen. The meaning can be translated into English as “It looks like…..”, “It seems like…”, “I guess…”, or “Maybe…”.
There are two forms of this expression: “-려나 보다” and “-으려나 보다”. The one you use depends on the verb it is attached to.
- If the verb stem ends with a vowel, use “-려나 보다”. For example, the verb “가다” (to go) becomes “가려나 보다” (It looks like [someone] will go).
- If the verb stem ends with a consonant, use “-으려나 보다”. For example, the verb “읽다” (to read) becomes “읽으려나 보다” (It looks like [someone] will read).
Here are some examples to show how this expression is used in sentences:
- 그녀는 그 말을 이해하려나 봐요. – It looks like she understood what that means.
- 내일 도착하려나 봐요. – I guess they will arrive tomorrow.
Remember that this expression is often used when the speaker is pondering, guessing, or speculating about something, and it often implies some degree of uncertainty about the outcome.
Difference between -나 보다 and -(으)려나 보다
In another lesson, we have covered the grammar structure -나 보다. You can review it here.
The expressions “-나 보다” and “-(으)려나 보다” in Korean are used in similar contexts, as they both express speculation or guesswork about a situation. However, they differ in terms of the type of conjecture they represent and the time frame they refer to.
- -나 보다: This structure is used when the speaker is guessing or making an assumption about a current state or situation based on observable evidence. It translates to “I guess” or “It seems” in English. For example:
- 그 사람이 안 오나 봐요. – “It seems he is not coming.”
- -(으)려나 보다: This structure, on the other hand, is used when the speaker is speculating or wondering about a future event or situation. It translates to “I guess… + will” in English. For example:
- 그 사람이 내일 오려 나봐요 – “I guess that person will come tomorrow.”
In summary, while both “-나 보다” and “-(으)려나 보다” express speculation, “-나 보다” is used to make assumptions about the present, while “-(으)려나 보다” is used to express uncertainty or wonder about the future.
Examples
- 오늘은 눈이 오려나 봐요. – I guess it will snow today.
- 새 차를 사려나 봐요. – I guess she will be buying a new car.
- 이제 곧 결혼하려나 봐요. I guess they will be getting married soon.
- 학생들은 시험을 준비하려나 봐요. – I guess students will be preparing for an exam.
- 민지는 요리를 배우려나 봐요. – I guess Minji will be learning how to cook.
Activity 1
Fill in the blanks.
- 엄마가 이거 보면 많이 _______________. – I guess when mum sees this she will really like it.
- 내일은 사진을 ______________. – I guess he will be taking pictures tomorrow.
- 비행기를 ____________. – I guess he will be taking a plane.
- 다음달엔 새로운 일을 _______________. – I guess she will be starting a new job next month.
- 그럼 글을 ____________. – Then I guess he will be writing a book.
Activity 1 Answers
- 엄마가 이거 보면 많이 좋아하려나 봐요. – I guess when mum sees this she will really like it.
- 내일은 사진을 찍으려나 봐요. – I guess he will be taking pictures tomorrow.
- 비행기를 타려나 봐요. – I guess he will be taking a plane.
- 다음달엔 새로운 일을 시작하려나 봐요. – I guess she will be starting a new job next month.
- 그럼 글을 쓰려나 봐요. – Then I guess he will be writing a book.
Wrap up
And with that, we conclude our lesson on the Korean grammar structure “-(으)려나 봐요”. This structure is crucial when expressing an assumption or a guess about a future action or state that hasn’t yet occurred, and it can also be used to convey doubt or uncertainty.
Understanding how and when to use “-(으)려나 봐요” will add another layer of nuance to your Korean speaking and writing. We encourage you to continue practicing, as regular application of these rules will ensure you become more confident in using this structure over time.
The real learning happens when you try to use this grammar structure in practical contexts, so now it’s your turn! We would love to see your sample sentences using “-(으)려나 봐요”. Share them in the comments section below! This will not only help you consolidate your understanding but will also allow us to provide you with valuable feedback.
Thank you for participating in today’s lesson. We hope it was helpful and enriched your understanding of Korean grammar. Until next time, happy learning and remember – practice is key!
잘 했어요 (Good job)!