If you’re learning Korean and want to express your plans or intentions clearly, the grammar pattern ‘-(으)ㄹ 셈이다’ is essential. In this post, you’ll learn how to use ‘-(으)ㄹ 셈이다’ in Korean to talk about what you intend to do or what outcome is expected. With real-life examples and easy explanations, you’ll master this intermediate grammar point in no time.
Contents
1. Definition
‘-(으)ㄹ 셈이다’ means “to intend to,” “to plan to,” or “to be going to” in English. It shows the speaker’s determination or plan to do something in the near future.
⚠️ Caution: ‘-(으)ㄹ 셈이다’ and ‘-(으)ㄴ/는 셈이다’ are completely different grammar patterns. Do not confuse them, as they serve different purposes and meanings in Korean.
👉 To learn more about ‘-(으)ㄴ/는 셈이다’, click the link below and explore a full explanation with real-life examples and practical tips.
👉 Want to understand the difference between ‘-(으)ㄹ 셈이다’ and ‘-(으)ㄴ/는 셈이다’?
Check out our comparison post to see how these two patterns are used differently with clear examples.
2. Form (Structure)
The pattern attaches to verbs as follows:
[verb stem] + -(으)ㄹ 셈이다
- If the verb stem ends in a consonant → -을 셈이다
- Examples:
- 먹다 (to eat) → 먹을 셈이다 (I plan to eat / I’m going to eat)
- 입다 (to wear) → 입을 셈이다 (I intend to wear it)
- 앉다 (to sit) → 앉을 셈이다 (I’m going to sit down)
- 찾다 (to find) → 찾을 셈이다 (I plan to find it)
- 읽다 (to read) → 읽을 셈이다 (I’m going to read it)
- Examples:
- If the verb stem ends in a vowel → -ㄹ 셈이다
- Examples:
- 가다 (to go) → 갈 셈이다 (I plan to go)
- 보다 (to see) → 볼 셈이다 (I intend to see it)
- 자다 (to sleep) → 잘 셈이다 (I’m going to sleep)
- 쉬다 (to rest) → 쉴 셈이다 (I plan to rest)
- 배우다 (to learn) → 배울 셈이다 (I intend to learn it)
- Examples:
- If the verb stem ends in ‘ㄹ’, drop the ‘ㄹ’ and just add – 셈이다
- Examples:
- 만들다 (to make) → 만들 셈이다 (I plan to make it)
- 살다 (to live) → 살 셈이다 (I intend to live there)
- 팔다 (to sell) → 팔 셈이다 (I’m going to sell it)
- 열다 (to open) → 열 셈이다 (I plan to open it)
- 울다 (to cry) → 울 셈이다 (I’m going to cry)
- Examples:
3. Meaning & Usage
1. To express a clear plan or firm decision
Used when the speaker has already made a decision to do something.
- 내일부터 운동을 시작할 셈이다.
(I plan to start exercising from tomorrow.) - 다음 주에 이사할 셈이에요.
(I’m planning to move next week.) - 오늘 안에 이 보고서를 끝낼 셈입니다.
(I intend to finish this report by today.) - 이번 학기에 졸업할 셈이에요.
(I’m planning to graduate this semester.) - 우리는 계약을 연장하지 않을 셈이다.
(We don’t plan to renew the contract.)
2. To express a logically expected result or outcome
Used when an action is likely to lead to a natural or predictable result, often in warnings or calculated predictions.
- 그렇게 하면 손해를 볼 셈이에요.
(If you do that, you’ll end up taking a loss.) - 지금 포기하면 모든 노력이 헛수고가 될 셈이에요.
(If you give up now, all your effort will be wasted.) - 계속 일을 미루면 밤새워야 할 셈이에요.
(If you keep delaying, you’ll end up staying up all night.) - 그렇게 행동하면 오해를 살 셈이에요.
(If you act like that, you’re bound to cause misunderstanding.) - 아무도 대답하지 않으면 내가 결정할 셈이에요.
(If no one answers, I’m going to make the decision.)
3. Often used in formal speech or written contexts
This pattern adds a sense of decisiveness and politeness, especially in official or business settings.
- 본사는 이번 사업에 투자할 셈입니다.
(Our company intends to invest in this project.) - 저희는 소비자 만족도를 높일 셈입니다.
(We plan to improve customer satisfaction.) - 회사는 제품 라인을 확대할 셈입니다.
(The company is planning to expand its product line.) - 정부는 규제를 강화할 셈입니다.
(The government intends to strengthen regulations.) - 위원회는 회의를 다음 주로 미룰 셈입니다.
(The committee plans to postpone the meeting until next week.)
4. Key Points to Remember
- ‘-(으)ㄹ 셈이다’ is used to express a firm plan, intention, or expected outcome.
- It is often used in formal speech or writing, such as announcements or business contexts.
- It cannot be used to describe past or completed actions.
- Do not confuse this with ‘-(으)ㄴ/는 셈이다’, which has a different meaning and usage.
- The subject is usually the speaker or someone close to the speaker, who has control over the action.
5. Practice Exercises
Complete each sentence by conjugating the verb in parentheses into the correct ‘-(으)ㄹ 셈이다’ form.
- 저는 이번 주말에 집을 (청소하다) __________
(I plan to clean the house this weekend.) - 우리는 다음 달에 신제품을 (출시하다) __________ .
(We intend to release a new product next month.) - 민수는 영어 공부를 다음 달부터 (시작하다) __________.
(Minsoo is planning to start studying English next month.) - 계속 이렇게 일하면 몸이 (고장나다) __________ .
(If you keep working like this, you’ll end up ruining your health.) - 아무도 도와주지 않으면 제가 혼자 다 (하다) __________ .
(If no one helps, I’ll end up doing everything alone.) - 다음 회의에서는 그 문제를 (다루다) __________ .
(We plan to address that issue in the next meeting.) - 그렇게 비싼 옷을 사면 돈을 (낭비하다) __________ .
(If you buy such expensive clothes, you’ll essentially be throwing money away.) - 우리는 올해 안에 목표를 모두 (달성하다) __________ .
(We intend to achieve all our goals by the end of this year.) - 회사는 다음 분기에 인력을 더 (채용하다) __________ .
(The company plans to hire more staff next quarter.)
6. Answers
- 청소할 셈이에요.
- 출시할 셈이에요.
- 시작할 셈이에요.
- 고장날 셈이에요.
- 할 셈이에요.
- 다룰 셈이에요.
- 낭비할 셈이에요.
- 달성할 셈이에요.
- 채용할 셈이에요.
- 어려울 셈이에요.
7. Common Mistakes and Tips
⚠️ Mistake 1: Using ‘-(으)ㄹ 셈이다’ for past actions
Incorrect: 어제 영화를 볼 셈이었어요. ❌
(I planned to watch a movie yesterday.)
Correct: 어제 영화를 보기로 했어요. ✅
(I decided to watch a movie yesterday.)
💡 Tip: -(으)ㄹ 셈이다 is only used for future plans or logical outcomes. For past actions, use -(으)려고 했다 or –(으)기로 했다.
⚠️ Mistake 2: Confusing ‘-(으)ㄹ 셈이다’ with ‘-(으)ㄴ/는 셈이다’
Incorrect: 그렇게 하면 이길 셈이에요. ❌
(You’re planning to win if you do that.)
Correct: 그렇게 하면 이긴 셈이에요. ✅
(That means you’ve basically won.)
💡 Tip:
-(으)ㄹ 셈이다: Future intentions or calculated outcomes (e.g., “내일 시작할 셈이에요”).
-(으)ㄴ/는 셈이다: Retrospective judgment or current states (e.g., “이건 실패한 셈이에요”).
⚠️ Mistake 3: Using ‘-(으)ㄹ 셈이다’ in casual everyday conversations too often
Incorrect: 오늘 점심은 김밥을 먹을 셈이야. ❌
(I plan to eat gimbap for lunch today.)
Correct: 오늘 점심은 김밥 먹을 거야. ✅
(I’m going to eat gimbap for lunch today.)
💡 Tip: In casual speech, use -(으)ㄹ 거예요 or -(으)려고 해요 for plans. Reserve -(으)ㄹ 셈이다 for formal announcements or calculated results (e.g., “이 규칙을 무시하면 벌금을 낼 셈이에요”).
The grammar pattern ‘-(으)ㄹ 셈이다’ is a useful way to express clear plans, intentions, or logical outcomes—especially in formal speech or writing. It adds a sense of decisiveness and is commonly used in news, announcements, business, and polite conversation. Just remember not to confuse it with ‘-(으)ㄴ/는 셈이다’, which has a completely different meaning.