Are you wondering how to express assumptions or predictions in Korean? The grammar pattern ‘-(으)ㄹ 것 같다’ is commonly used to talk about what seems likely to happen or what you think might occur. In this post, you’ll learn how to use ‘-(으)ㄹ 것 같다’ naturally and accurately, with examples and practical tips.
Contents
1. Definition
‘-(으)ㄹ 것 같다’ is a Korean grammar structure used to express assumptions, likelihoods, or predictions about the future or the unknown. It can be roughly translated as:
- “It seems like (something will happen)”
- “I think (something will happen)”
- “It looks like (it will happen)”
This pattern shows subjective judgment or assumption based on observation or intuition.
2. Form (Structure)
To use ‘-(으)ㄹ 것 같다’, attach the appropriate ending to the stem of a verb, adjective, or noun depending on the final letter of the stem or word. This pattern expresses a guess or prediction about what is likely to happen or what something might be.
- If a verb or adjective stem ends in a vowel, add -ㄹ 것 같다.
- If a verb or adjective stem ends in a consonant, add -을 것 같다.
- If a verb or adjective stem ends in ‘ㄹ’, drop the ‘ㄹ’ and add -ㄹ 것 같다.
- If the word is a noun, use the fixed form ‘일 것 같다’, regardless of the final consonant or vowel.
Conjugation Rules for ‘-(으)ㄹ 것 같다’
| Type | Rule | Example |
| Verb/adjective (vowel ending) | stem + ㄹ 것 같다 | 가다 → 갈 것 같다 (I think I will go) 크다 → 클 것 같다 (It looks like it will be big) |
| Verb/adjective (consonant) | stem + 을 것 같다 | 먹다 → 먹을 것 같다 (It seems I will eat) 작다 → 작을 것 같다 (It seems it will be small) |
| Verb/adjective ending in ‘ㄹ’ | drop ‘ㄹ’ + ㄹ 것 같다 | 만들다 → 만들 것 같다 (I think I will make) 길다 → 길 것 같다 (It looks like it will be long) |
| Noun | noun + 일 것 같다 | 학생 → 학생일 것 같다 (I think [they are] a student) 문제 → 문제일 것 같다 (It seems like a problem) |
Irregular Verb and Adjective Notes
Irregular Verb and Adjective Notes
Some verbs and adjectives undergo spelling changes before adding ‘-(으)ㄹ 것 같다’. Here are common irregular cases:
- ㅂ-irregular: The final ㅂ changes to 우 before adding ‘-ㄹ 것 같다’.
- 덥다 → 더울 것 같다 (It seems it will be hot)
- 어렵다 → 어려울 것 같다 (It seems it will be difficult)
- ㄷ-irregular: When the final consonant is ㄷ and followed by a vowel, ㄷ changes to ㄹ.
- 듣다 → 들을 것 같다 (I think I will listen)
- 걷다 → 걸을 것 같다 (I think I will walk)
- 묻다 (to ask) → 물을 것 같다 (I think I will ask)
- ㅎ-irregular: The ㅎ is dropped when followed by a vowel.
- 그렇다 → 그럴 것 같다 (It seems to be so)
- 이렇다 → 이럴 것 같다 (It seems to be like this)
These irregular changes occur before adding ‘-(으)ㄹ 것 같다’, just like they do with other vowel-starting verb endings.
3. Meaning & Usage
1. To express a future prediction
- Use this structure to express a guess about what will happen in the future.
- 비가 올 것 같아요. (It looks like it’s going to rain.)
- 곧 버스가 도착할 것 같아요. (The bus will probably arrive soon.)
- 회의가 길어질 것 같아요. (The meeting will likely be long.)
- 내일은 추울 것 같아요. (It seems like it will be cold tomorrow.)
- 차가 막힐 것 같아요. (I think there will be traffic.)
2. To express a personal hunch or impression
- It expresses the speaker’s subjective assumption based on experience or feeling.
- 그 사람은 친절할 것 같아요. (I think that person will be kind.)
- 이 영화 재미있을 것 같아요. (This movie seems like it will be fun.)
- 오늘은 일이 많을 것 같아요. (It looks like there will be a lot of work today.)
- 저 가게가 맛있을 것 같아요. (That restaurant looks tasty.)
- 이 옷은 작을 것 같아요. (I think this clothing will be small.)
3. To show hesitation or soft certainty
- This pattern is useful when you want to express something in a less direct or less firm way.
- 그건 실수일 것 같아요. (It seems like that might be a mistake.)
- 민수 씨가 늦을 것 같아요. (I think Minsu will be late.)
- 저기에서 기다리는 게 좋을 것 같아요. (I think it’s better to wait over there.)
- 혼자 가는 게 나을 것 같아요. (It might be better to go alone.)
- 이 일은 다시 생각해 볼 것 같아요. (I think I’ll reconsider this.)
💡 Note: Note on Contractions
In spoken Korean, ‘것’ is often shortened for smoother flow:
- 것이 → 게 (e.g. 기다리는 게 좋을 것 같아요.)
- 것은 → 건
- 것을 → 걸
These contractions are commonly used in everyday speech, but the full form is preferred in formal writing.
4. With adjectives: Likely appearance or future state
- Used with adjectives to express an expected condition or state.
- 날씨가 더 더울 것 같아요. (The weather will probably be hotter.)
- 이 일이 어려울 것 같아요. (This task looks difficult.)
- 시험이 쉬울 것 같아요. (The test seems easy.)
- 그분은 바쁠 것 같아요. (That person must be busy.)
- 요즘은 지루할 것 같아요. (It seems boring these days.)
5. To express tentative plans or intentions indirectly
- Sometimes used to express personal plans or intentions in a softer, less assertive tone.
- 저녁에 나갈 것 같아요. (I might go out in the evening.)
- 다음 주에 여행 갈 것 같아요. (I think I’ll travel next week.)
- 오늘은 집에서 쉴 것 같아요. (I’ll probably rest at home today.)
- 친구를 만날 것 같아요. (I might meet a friend.)
- 주말에는 영화 볼 것 같아요. (I think I’ll watch a movie on the weekend.)
4. Key Points to Remember
- Use -(으)ㄹ 것 같다 to express future assumptions or subjective guesses.
- It is not used to talk about completed past events.
- Often used to soften statements or avoid sounding too direct.
- Can be used with both verbs and adjectives.
- Its meaning slightly overlaps with -는 것 같다, but -(으)ㄹ 것 같다 focuses more on future events or possibilities.
5. Practice Exercises
Fill in the blanks using the correct form of ‘-(으)ㄹ 것 같다’.
- 날씨가 흐려요. 비가 (오다) __________.
(It’s cloudy. I think it will rain.) - 오늘은 길이 많이 막혀서 (늦다) __________.
(There’s a lot of traffic today, so I might be late.) - 피곤해서 저녁에 (일찍 자다) __________.
(I’m tired, so I’ll probably go to bed early.) - 이 시험은 생각보다 (쉽다) __________.
(This test seems easier than I expected.) - 지금 시간이 없어서 점심을 (못 먹다) __________.
(I might not have time to eat lunch.) - 주말에는 날씨가 (좋다) __________.
(The weather looks like it’ll be nice on the weekend.) - 이거 무거워 보여요. (들다) __________.
(This looks heavy. I don’t think I can lift it.) - 그 가게는 항상 사람이 많아요. (기다리다) __________.
(There might be a wait at that store.) - 오늘은 친구를 (만나다) __________.
(I think I’ll meet a friend today.) - 민수는 시험 준비를 안 했어요. 시험을 (망치다) __________.
(Minsu didn’t prepare. He might fail the test.)
6. Answers
- 올 것 같아요
- 늦을 것 같아요
- 일찍 잘 것 같아요
- 쉬울 것 같아요
- 못 먹을 것 같아요
- 좋을 것 같아요
- 못 들 것 같아요
- 기다릴 것 같아요
- 만날 것 같아요
- 망칠 것 같아요
7. Common Mistakes and Tips
⚠️ Mistake 1: Using it for completed past events
Incorrect: 어제 비가 올 것 같아요. ❌ (It looks like it rained yesterday.)
Correct: 어제 비가 온 것 같아요. ✅ (It seems like it rained yesterday.)
💡 Tip: Use ‘-(으)ㄴ/는 것 같다’ for past events instead of ‘-(으)ㄹ 것 같다’.
⚠️ Mistake 2: Forgetting to drop ‘ㄹ’ in verbs ending with ‘ㄹ’
Incorrect: 만들을 것 같아요. ❌
Correct: 만들 것 같아요. ✅
💡 Tip: When the verb stem ends in ‘ㄹ’, drop it before adding ‘-ㄹ 것 같다’.
⚠️ Mistake 3: Using it to express definite plans
Incorrect: 내일 여행을 갈 것 같아요. ❌ (When the plan is confirmed)
Correct: 내일 여행을 갑니다. ✅
💡 Tip: Use ‘-(으)ㄹ 것 같다’ for guesses or unconfirmed plans, not for certain decisions.
The grammar pattern ‘-(으)ㄹ 것 같다’ is commonly used in Korean to express future assumptions or predictions in a soft and polite way. It’s versatile and helps convey uncertainty without sounding too strong or direct. Mastering this form will make your speech sound more natural and nuanced.