안녕하세요
Ever planned a K-drama binge-watching marathon, or daydreamed about becoming the next big K-pop sensation? If so, you’ve made a ‘plan‘ or had a ‘thought,’ right? Well, today we’re diving into the world of “ㄹ 생각이다” and “ㄹ 예정이다” to articulate those future dreams and schemes in Korean. And don’t worry, by the end of this lesson, you’ll be talking about your future plans, whether they’re to visit Korea or mastering the art of kimchi-making. Spoiler Alert: One of these expressions is used more for official plans! 📅🎉
Buckle up! Let’s project our Korean into the future and plan for success! 🚀📚🔮
Conjugation
VERB STEM + 을/ㄹ 생각이다/예정이다
- Take a verb i.e. 가다
- Drop “다” i.e. 가
- Add the appropriate ending based on the below rules (in this case it becomes 갈 생각이다)
- If the verb stem ends with a vowel, add ㄹ 생각이다/ㄹ 예정이다
- If the verb stem ends with a consonant, add 을 생각이다/을 예정이다
- 먹다 –> 먹 + 을 생각이다 –> 먹을 생각이다
- 사다 –> 사 + ㄹ 생각이다 –> 살 생각이다
- 주다 –> 주 + ㄹ 생각이다 –> 줄 생각이다
- 보다 –> 보 + ㄹ 생각이다–> 볼 생각이다
Understanding 을/ㄹ 생각이다/을 ㄹ 예정이다
Both expressions have been integral parts of the Korean language for quite some time, enabling speakers to convey their thoughts about the future. Over the years, they have become invaluable tools in daily conversation, allowing individuals to share their plans, intentions, and even dreams with others.
What do they mean?
- ㄹ 생각이다: Directly translated, it reads as “is a thought.” It is a combination of the noun “생각” which means “thought” and the verb “이다” – “to be”. When attached to a verb, it denotes the speaker’s intention or plan. It’s a way to say, “I’m thinking of doing…” or “I plan to do…”Example:
- 한국어를 배울 생각이에요. (I’m thinking of learning Korean.)
- ㄹ 예정이다: This translates to “is scheduled” or “is planned.” “예정” means schedule and “이다” is “to be”. It carries a more formal tone and is often used in contexts where plans are more concrete or official. Essentially, it’s the go-to expression for events on your calendar that you’re pretty sure are happening! Example:
- 내일 회의가 할 예정이에요. (There’s a meeting scheduled for tomorrow.)
Formality & Nuance:
While both can be used in daily speech, ㄹ 예정이다 often appears in formal settings or when discussing more solidified plans. On the other hand, ㄹ 생각이다 has a more casual, “just-thinking-out-loud” vibe.
To further simplify:
- Use ㄹ 생각이다 when you’re contemplating doing something or have a general intention. It’s like telling a friend, “I’m thinking of trying that new café.”
- Opt for ㄹ 예정이다 when you’re sure of your plans. Think along the lines of, “I have an appointment with my dentist next week.”
Well, that was a breezy overview of our twin expressions! Up next, we’ll break each one down further, ensuring that by the end of this lesson, you’ll be spilling your future plans in Korean like a natural! 🗓✨
Sample sentences
Alright, it’s time to immerse ourselves in the waters of context. By diving into some real-life sentences and breaking them down, we’ll understand the nuances and applications of our twin expressions even better. So, let’s get down to business!
ㄹ 생각이다
- 여름에는 한국 여행을 갈 생각이에요.
- Translation: I’m thinking of traveling to Korea in the summer.
- Breakdown: 여름에는 (in the summer) + 한국 여행을 갈 (traveling to Korea) + 생각이에요(thinking of).
- 다음 달에 운전면허를 딸 생각이에요.
- Translation: I’m planning to get my driver’s license next month.
- Breakdown: 다음 달에 (next month) + 운전면허를 딸 (get driver’s license) + 생각이에요 (planning to).
- 내년에는 결혼할 생각이에요.
- Translation: I’m thinking of getting married next year.
- Breakdown: 내년에는 (next year) + 결혼할 (getting married) + 생각이에요 (thinking of).
ㄹ 예정이다
- 다음 주에 회사 연례행사가 있을 예정이에요.
- Translation: The company’s annual event is scheduled for next week.
- Breakdown: 다음 주에 (next week) + 회사 연례행사가 있을 (company’s annual event) + 예정이에요 (is scheduled).
- 올해 말에 새로운 제품을 출시할 예정이에요.
- Translation: We plan to launch a new product at the end of this year.
- Breakdown: 올해 말에 (end of this year) + 새로운 제품을 출시할 (launch a new product) + 예정이에요 (plan to).
- 내일 그 회의에 참석할 예정이에요.
- Translation: I’m scheduled to attend that meeting tomorrow.
- Breakdown: 내일 (tomorrow) + 그 회의에 참석할 (attend that meeting) + 예정이에요 (scheduled to).
Aha! Seeing these expressions in action makes them less intimidating, right? Remember, with ㄹ 생각이다, you’re casually sharing your intentions, while ㄹ 예정이다 is like flashing your planner and saying, “It’s happening!” Now that we’ve unravelled these sentences, let’s see how they play out in different scenarios!
Activity 1
Fill in the blanks.
- 저는 이번 주말에 산에 ____________. – I am thinking to go hiking this weekend.
- 저는 내년에 대학에 ____________. – I am going to go to college next year.
- 내년에 유학을 ____________. – I am thinking of studying abroad next year.
- 다음 달에 새 가게를 ____________. – The new store is planned to open next month.
- 그는 새 차를 ____________. – He’s considering buying a new car.
Activity 1 Answers
- 저는 이번 주말에 산에 갈 생각이에요. – I am thinking to go hiking this weekend.
- 저는 내년에 대학에 진학할 예정이에요. – I am going to go to college next year.
- 내년에 유학을 갈 생각이에요. – I am thinking of studying abroad next year.
- 다음 달에 새 가게를 열 예정이에요. – The new store is planned to open next month.
- 그는 새 차를 살 생각이에요. – He’s considering buying a new car.
Wrap up
And there you have it, future planners of the Korean realm! 📆✨ We’ve dived deep into the world of intentions and scheduled plans, and now you’re all set to declare to the Korean world when you’re thinking of adopting a cat or when you’re scheduled to become the next K-pop sensation. (Who knows? The sky’s the limit! 🌌🎤)
Remember, every time you use these expressions, somewhere in the world, a cute Korean drama actor nods in approval. Probably.
If you’re brave enough (and I bet my last kimchi jar that you are), drop us a comment with your own sample sentences using ㄹ 생각이다 or ㄹ 예정이다. The wackier, the better! Who said learning Korean couldn’t be a riot of fun? 🎉🇰🇷
Stay curious, keep practicing, and until next time… 화이팅! (Fighting!) 🥊🎈