When learning Korean, expressing hopes and wishes is an important part of everyday conversation. One essential grammar pattern for this is ‘-기를 바라다’. In this post, discover how to use ‘-기를 바라다’ naturally with practical examples and clear explanations.
Contents
1. Definition
‘-기를 바라다’ is a Korean grammar pattern used to express hope or wish about a future event.
In English, it corresponds to expressions like “I hope…” or “I wish…”.
2. Form (Structure)
Verb stem + -기를 바라다
- Take the verb stem.
- Attach -기를.
- Follow it with 바라다.
This structure is used when expressing that someone hopes or wishes for something to happen.
Examples of Verbs Commonly Used with ‘-기를 바라다’
| Verb | Meaning | Example (Casual: 바래요) | Example (Formal: 바랍니다) |
| 공부하다 | to study | 공부하기를 바래요. (I hope you study.) | 공부하기를 바랍니다. (I hope you study.) |
| 성공하다 | to succeed | 성공하기를 바래요. (I hope you succeed.) | 성공하기를 바랍니다. (I hope you succeed.) |
| 행복하다 | to be happy | 행복하기를 바래요. (I hope you are happy.) | 행복하기를 바랍니다. (I hope you are happy.) |
| 건강하다 | to be healthy | 건강하기를 바래요. (I hope you are healthy.) | 건강하기를 바랍니다. (I hope you are healthy.) |
| 취직하다 | to get a job | 취직하기를 바래요. (I hope you get a job.) | 취직하기를 바랍니다. (I hope you get a job.) |
| 합격하다 | to pass (an exam) | 합격하기를 바래요. (I hope you pass.) | 합격하기를 바랍니다. (I hope you pass.) |
| 만나보다 | to meet | 만나보기를 바래요. (I hope you meet.) | 만나보기를 바랍니다. (I hope you meet.) |
| 돌아오다 | to return | 돌아오기를 바래요. (I hope you return.) | 돌아오기를 바랍니다. (I hope you return.) |
| 이해하다 | to understand | 이해하기를 바래요. (I hope you understand.) | 이해하기를 바랍니다. (I hope you understand.) |
| 잘 되다 | to go well | 잘되기를 바래요. (I hope everything goes well.) | 잘되기를 바랍니다. (I hope everything goes well.) |
3. Meaning & Usage
‘-기를 바라다’ is mainly used when expressing a hope, wish, or desire for oneself or others. It is often used in formal or polite contexts, while shortened forms like ‘-길 바래’ or ‘-하길 바라’ are common in casual speech. This pattern is typically attached to verbs, and when used with adjectives, it is usually through indirect forms such as ‘-하다’.
1. Wishing for someone’s success or well-being (formal/polite)
- 시험에 합격하기를 바랍니다. (I hope you pass the exam.)
- 건강하기를 바랍니다. (I hope you stay healthy.)
- 행복하기를 바랍니다. (I hope you are happy.)
- 꿈을 이루기를 바랍니다. (I hope you achieve your dream.)
- 즐거운 하루가 되기를 바랍니다. (I hope you have a joyful day.)
2. Expressing a wish for a specific event (formal/polite)
- 내일 비가 오지 않기를 바랍니다. (I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow.)
- 행사가 잘 되기를 바랍니다. (I hope the event goes well.)
- 이번 여행이 즐겁기를 바랍니다. (I hope this trip is enjoyable.)
- 모두가 만족하기를 바랍니다. (I hope everyone is satisfied.)
- 약속을 지키기를 바랍니다. (I hope you keep your promise.)
3. Hoping for personal outcomes (formal/polite)
- 좋은 결과가 있기를 바랍니다. (I hope for good results.)
- 문제가 빨리 해결되기를 바랍니다. (I hope the problem is solved soon.)
- 건강을 회복하기를 바랍니다. (I hope to recover my health.)
- 다시 만날 수 있기를 바랍니다. (I hope we can meet again.)
- 기회가 생기기를 바랍니다. (I hope an opportunity comes.)
4. Using ‘-기를’ with adjectives indirectly (through ‘하다’ or other expressions)
Adjectives are not directly combined with ‘-기를 바라다’. Instead, use the verb form with ‘하다’ or restructure the sentence:
- 행복하길 바랍니다. (I hope you are happy.)
- 건강하길 바랍니다. (I hope you are healthy.)
- 안전하길 바랍니다. (I hope you are safe.)
- 성공하길 바랍니다. (I hope you are successful.)
- 편안하길 바랍니다. (I hope you are comfortable.)
5. More casual shortened forms (informal/casual)
These forms are commonly used in everyday conversations with friends or people of the same age:
- 잘 지내길 바래. (I hope you’re doing well.)
- 좋은 소식 듣길 바래. (I hope to hear good news.)
- 무사히 돌아오길 바래. (I hope you return safely.)
- 즐겁게 보내길 바래. (I hope you have fun.)
- 오늘 하루 행복하길 바래. (I hope you have a happy day.)
4. Key Points to Remember
- ‘-기를 바라다’ is attached only to verbs, not directly to adjectives. When expressing hope with adjectives, use the verb form ‘하다’ (ex: 행복하다 → 행복하길 바라다).
- The subject is often omitted when it is clear from context, but can be included for clarity.
- This pattern expresses a wish or hope, not a command or request.
- ‘-기를 바라다’ is usually used for future events or outcomes.
- The contracted form ‘-길 바래(요)’ is informal and should not be used in formal writing or speeches.
5. Practice Exercises
Complete each sentence by filling in the blank with the correct formal verb form using ‘-기를 바라다’ to express hope or wish.
- 친구가 시험에 ____________ .
(I hope my friend passes the exam.) - 모두가 ____________ .
(I hope everyone is happy.) - 오늘 비가 ____________ .
(I hope it doesn’t rain today.) - 저는 당신이 건강을 ____________ .
(I hope you recover your health.) - 이 문제가 빨리 ____________ .
(I hope this problem is solved soon.) - 아이들이 잘 ____________ .
(I hope the children grow up well.) - 모든 계획이 ____________ .
(I hope all the plans go well.) - 그가 꿈을 ____________ .
(I hope he achieves his dream.) - 우리는 다시 ____________ .
(I hope we meet again.) - 그녀가 안전하게 ____________ .
(I hope she arrives safely.)
6. Answers
- 합격하기를 바랍니다.
- 행복하기를 바랍니다.
- 오지 않기를 바랍니다.
- 회복하기를 바랍니다.
- 해결되기를 바랍니다.
- 자라기를 바랍니다.
- 잘 되기를 바랍니다.
- 이루기를 바랍니다.
- 만날 수 있기를 바랍니다.
- 도착하기를 바랍니다.
7. Common Mistakes and Tips
⚠️ Mistake 1: Using the wrong tense inside the ‘-기를 바라다’ phrase
Incorrect: 시험에 합격했기를 바랍니다. ❌ (I hope you passed the exam.)
Correct: 시험에 합격하기를 바랍니다. ✅ (I hope you pass the exam.)
💡 Tip: Use the present tense for events that have not yet happened or are wished for the future.
⚠️ Mistake 2: Omitting ‘기’ and directly connecting the verb
Incorrect: 꿈을 이루를 바랍니다. ❌ (I hope you achieve your dream.)
Correct: 꿈을 이루기를 바랍니다. ✅ (I hope you achieve your dream.)
💡 Tip: Always attach ‘기’ after the verb stem before ‘바라다’.
⚠️ Mistake 3: Overusing formal expressions in casual conversations
Incorrect: 친구에게 “행복하기를 바랍니다”라고 말함. ❌ (Saying “I hope you are happy” formally to a close friend.)
Correct: 행복하길 바래. ✅ (I hope you’re happy.)
💡 Tip: In casual speech, shorten ‘-기를 바라다’ to ‘-길 바래’ to sound more natural.
‘-기를 바라다’ is an essential pattern to express your hopes and wishes in Korean, whether in formal or casual settings. Understanding how to use it properly helps to make conversations more natural and polite.
Korean Expressions for Hopes, Wishes, and Desires
- -고 싶다 (to want to, to wish to)
- -고 싶어하다 (to want to, third person)
- -기를 바라다 (to hope/wish that)
- -기 원하다 (to wish/desire, more formal or literary)
- -았/었으면 좋겠다 (I wish…, I hope…)
- -았/었으면 하다 (I wish…, I hope..)
- -(으)면 좋겠다 (it would be nice if…)
- -아/어 주시기 바랍니다 (formal request/hope, often in announcements)