When I first started learning Korean, I found myself learning various grammar forms that seemed to be similar or same to another grammar form. One of those forms was 을 게요 (ㄹ게요). It was like a mysterious grammar code I couldn’t crack — until I understood its specific meaning. Related: 거예요 Future Tense and 겠다 (Will/Would).
Conjugation
So, the conjugation for this verb is simple.
- Take a verb i.e. 가다
- Drop 다 –> 가
If the verb ends in a vowel, add ㄹ 게요 –> 가 –> 갈 게요
If the verb ends in a consonant, add 을 게요 –> 먹다 –> 먹 –> 먹을 게요
If the verb ends in a ㄹ, add just 게요 –> 놀다 –> 놀 –> 놀게요
These rules exist for easier pronunciation, so just think of it that way. Now, let’s conjugate few more of these.
Conjugation examples
- 오다 –> 오 + ㄹ 게요 –> 올 게요 (will come)
- 보다 –> 보 + ㄹ 게요 –> 볼 게요 (will see)
- 있다 –> 있 + 을 게요 –> 있을 게요 (will be)
- 도와주다 –> 도와주 + ㄹ 게요–> 도와줄 게요 (will help)
- 하다 –> 하 + ㄹ 게요–> 할 게요 (will do)
- 팔다 –> 팔 + 게요–> 팔 게요 (will sell)
What does the form 을/ㄹ 게요 mean?
을/ㄹ게요 is a future tense form used to express one’s intentions or plans. It is often translated as “will” in English. It consists of two parts: the verb stem plus the future tense ending -ㄹ게요. For example, the verb 가다 (gada) meaning “to go” becomes 갈 게요 (gal geyo) meaning “will go.”
Difference between 을 거예요 and 을 게요
Now here’s the thing people often get confused about: what’s the difference between 을 거예요 and 을 게요? They both talk about future plans, but they’re not quite the same.
을 거예요 is a future tense form that emphasizes a more certain and definite plan or intention. If you haven’t studied this grammar point, check out this post.
을 게요, on the other hand, also expresses future intentions but carries a slightly more uncertain or tentative tone. Koreans tend to be less direct and the language usually takes the other person into consideration so it tends to be more softer.
The distinction between the two becomes clearer when we examine their usage in sentences. 을 거예요 is often used when the speaker has made a concrete plan or decision and is expressing a firm intention. It implies a higher level of certainty and commitment to the stated action and indicates that no one will change their mind. For instance:
- 내일 도서관에 갈 거예요. – I will (definitely) go to the library tomorrow.
The word definitely is a nuance the verb ending ㄹ 거예요 creates, it is not a direct translation.
On the other hand, 을 게요 is employed when the speaker’s intention is somewhat less firm or when there is a possibility of change or uncertainty. It suggests a more casual or flexible plan. It also has a nuance of considering the other person, so depending on what they say, you might change your plan. For example:
- 내일 도서관에 갈 게요. – I will (probably) go to the library tomorrow.
It has the underlying subtle tone of: If you don’t mind, I will go to the library tomorrow/Unless you want me to do something else, I will go to the library tomorrow.
This is mainly because Koreans are very polite when it comes to using the language and so directly saying 내일 도서관에 갈 거예요 might seem too direct (especially when you are talking to an older person) and so saying it more “softly” is considered more polite.
The difference between 을 거예요 and 을 게요 can be subtle and very context-dependent. The more Korean you hear, the more naturally you’ll feel which one fits. Don’t stress too much about getting it perfect from the start!
을 게요 is only used in the first person
을 게요 is predominantly limited to the first-person perspective. This means that it is generally used when the speaker is referring to themselves or expressing their own future plans or intentions.
For example, you cannot say 비가 올 게요. It would not make sense in Korean. It’s not like the rain asks anyone what they think before it starts to rain, so you would just say 비가 올 거예요 – It will rain.
Therefore, if the subject of the sentence is not “I”, then use 을 거예요 instead.
This would also be the case when you are asking questions to other people since as mentioned above, the subject is not “I”. For example:
저녁 언제 먹을 거예요? – When will you eat dinner?
Examples
저 먼저 갈 게요 – I will go first.
This suggests that you care about the people’s opinions and acknowledges the fact that they might want you to stay longer, so you politely use 갈 게요 instead of 갈 거예요. Using 갈 거예요 might give them the impression that you don’t want to be there and are determined to go home.
점심 먹으로 갈 게요 – I will go eat my lunch.
Let’s say you are at work and you are planning to take your lunch now. Therefore, you would use ㄹ 게요 as using 갈 거예요 might come across as rude, especially if you are talking to your boss. It would imply you’re making a statement about the future regardless of how they feel. Also practice: Future Tense Practice Questions and ㄹ래요 (Desire/Intent).
내일 뭐 할 거예요? – What will you do tomorrow?
Since the subject of this sentence is not me, we need to use the ㄹ 거예요 verb form.