If you’re learning how to express planned future actions in Korean, the grammar pattern ‘-ㄹ/을 예정이다’ is essential. This structure is commonly used in both spoken and written Korean to clearly indicate scheduled or intended future events. In this post, you’ll learn how to form and use ‘-ㄹ/을 예정이다’ naturally with real-life examples.
Contents
1. Definition
The expression ‘-ㄹ/을 예정이다’ is used to talk about planned actions or events in the future. It is similar in meaning to “be planning to” or “be scheduled to” in English.
2. Form (Structure)
Use this structure to express a scheduled or planned action. The suffix you attach depends on the final sound of the verb stem:
- Add -ㄹ 예정이다 to verb stems ending in a vowel
- Add -을 예정이다 to verb stems ending in a consonant
- For verbs whose stem ends in ㄹ, just add – 예정이다 (drop one ㄹ)
This is because ㄹ and ㄹ cannot be combined consecutively in Korean conjugation, so one is dropped naturally.
How to Conjugate Verbs with ‘-ㄹ/을 예정이다’ in Korean
| Verb stem ending | Rule | Example |
| Vowel | Add -ㄹ 예정이다 | 가다 (to go) → 갈 예정이다 (plan to go) |
| Consonant | Add -을 예 정이다 | 먹다 (to eat) → 먹을 예정이다 (plan to eat) |
| Ends in ㄹ | Just add – 예정이다 (drop one ㄹ) | 만들다 (to make) → 만들 예정이다 (plan to make) |
3. Meaning & Usage
1. Expressing a Personal Plan or Intention
This pattern is often used to talk about something you have planned to do in the near future.
- 내년에 유럽 여행을 갈 예정이다. (I’m planning to travel to Europe next year.)
- 이번 주말에 친구를 만날 예정이다. (I’m planning to meet a friend this weekend.)
- 다음 달에 이사를 할 예정이다. (I’m planning to move next month.)
- 올해 안에 자격증을 딸 예정이다. (I plan to get a certificate within this year.)
- 우리는 여름에 결혼할 예정이다. (We are planning to get married in the summer.)
2. Describing an Official or Scheduled Event
This form is also used to describe official plans or fixed schedules (e.g., in announcements or news).
- 회의는 오후 3시에 시작될 예정이다. (The meeting is scheduled to start at 3 p.m.)
- 콘서트는 다음 주 금요일에 열릴 예정이다. (The concert is scheduled to be held next Friday.)
- 새 버전은 6월에 출시될 예정이다. (The new version is scheduled to be released in June.)
- 시험은 다음 달 초에 있을 예정이다. (The exam is scheduled for early next month.)
- 건물은 내년에 완공될 예정이다. (The building is scheduled to be completed next year.)
3. Indirect Reporting of Future Plans
It can also be used to report someone else’s planned future action.
- 민수는 회사를 그만둘 예정이래.(Minsu says he plans to quit his job.)
- 지수는 유학을 갈 예정이야. (Jisoo is planning to study abroad.)
- 그들은 새로운 프로젝트를 시작할 예정이래. (They’re planning to start a new project.)
- 선생님은 다음 달에 퇴직하실 예정이야. (The teacher plans to retire next month.)
- 형은 취업 준비를 다시 시작할 예정이야. (My older brother plans to start preparing for a job again.)
5. Key Points to Remember
- ‘-ㄹ 예정이다’ is used with verbs only.
- It expresses future plans, not current actions or past events.
- Often used in formal settings such as announcements or news.
- It can be replaced by ‘-려고 하다’ in casual conversations.
6. Practice Exercises
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of ‘-ㄹ/을 예정이다’ using the given verb in parentheses.
- 내일 친구를 __________. (만나다)
(I plan to meet a friend tomorrow.) - 이번 주말에 영화를 __________. (보다)
(I plan to watch a movie this weekend.) - 우리는 다음 주에 제주도에 __________. (가다)
(We plan to go to Jeju Island next week.) - 다음 학기부터 일본어를 __________. (공부하다)
(I plan to study Japanese starting next semester.) - 선생님께 발표를 __________. (준비하다)
(I plan to prepare a presentation for the teacher.) - 여름방학에 아르바이트를 __________. (하다)
(I plan to work a part-time job during summer vacation.) - 회사는 다음 달에 신제품을 __________. (출시하다)
(The company plans to launch a new product next month.) - 우리는 회의에서 그 문제를 __________. (논의하다)
(We plan to discuss the issue at the meeting.) - 그 배우는 내년에 새 드라마에 __________. (출연하다)
(The actor is scheduled to appear in a new drama next year.) - 정부는 내년에 세법을 __________. (개정하다)
(The government plans to revise the tax law next year.)
6. Answers
- 만날 예정이다
- 볼 예정이다
- 갈 예정이다
- 공부할 예정이다
- 준비할 예정이다
- 할 예정이다
- 출시할 예정이다
- 논의할 예정이다
- 출연할 예정이다
- 개정할 예정이다
7. Common Mistakes and Tips
⚠️ Mistake 1: Using ‘-ㄹ 예정이다’ with adjectives
Incorrect: 날씨가 추울 예정이다. ❌ (The weather is planning to be cold.)
Correct: 날씨가 추울 것 같다. ✅ (It looks like the weather will be cold.)
💡 Tip: Use ‘-ㄹ 예정이다’ only with verbs, not adjectives.
⚠️ Mistake 2: Using present tense when expressing future plans
Incorrect: 내일 여행을 간다. ❌ (I go on a trip tomorrow.)
Correct: 내일 여행을 갈 예정이다. ✅ (I’m planning to go on a trip tomorrow.)
💡 Tip: Use future tense expressions like ‘-ㄹ 예정이다’ to avoid confusion when talking about the future.
⚠️ Mistake 3: Using ‘-ㄹ 예정이다’ too casually
Incorrect: 나 내일 술 마실 예정이다. ❌ (I’m planning to drink tomorrow.)
Correct: 나 내일 술 마시려고 해. ✅ (I’m thinking of drinking tomorrow.)
💡 Tip: In casual situations, ‘-(으)려고 하다’ sounds more natural than ‘-ㄹ 예정이다’.
The Korean grammar pattern ‘-ㄹ/을 예정이다’ is a practical and useful structure for expressing future plans or scheduled events. It is commonly used in both daily life and formal situations like announcements or news reports. With enough practice, learners can use this expression naturally and confidently to talk about their future actions or to describe official plans.
8. Korean Grammar Patterns to Express Intention, Plan, and Purpose
Click below 👇👇👇 to explore key Korean grammar patterns for expressing intention and plan! 📚
| Pattern | Category | Description |
| -고자 하다 | Intention / Plan | Expression of intention, plan, or purpose (formal/written) |
| -(으)려고 하다 | Intention / Plan | Expression of intention or plan (casual/spoken) |
| -ㄹ/을 생각이다 | Intention / Plan | Expression of intention or plan (with some uncertainty) |
| -겠(다)/겠어요 | Intention / Plan | Expression of strong intention, will, or promise (formal/polite) |
| -기로 하다 | Plan | Expression of decision or determination |
| -ㄹ/을 예정이다 | Plan | Expression of scheduled or planned action |
| -(으)ㄹ 거예요 | Plan | Expression of future plan or intention (casual, commonly used in conversation) |
| -하려는 중이다 / 생각하고 있다 | Plan | Expression of an intention or plan in progress (e.g., “in the process of planning/thinking”) |
9. Korean Grammar Patterns to Express Purpose
Click below 👇👇👇 to explore key Korean grammar patterns for expressing purpose in Korean! 📚
| Pattern | Category | Description |
| -(으)려고 | Purpose | Expression of purpose (to do something in order to…) |
| -고자 | Purpose | More formal/written version of ‘-(으)려고’ |
| -(으)러 가다/오다 | Purpose | Expression of purpose for going/coming (in order to…) |
| -게 | Purpose | Expression of purpose or result (so that, in order to) |
| -(으)려면 | Purpose | Expression of condition for achieving a purpose/intention (if you intend to…) |
| -도록 하다 | Purpose | Expression of purpose, recommendation, or instruction |
| -기 위해(서) | Purpose | Expression of purpose (in order to) |