Korean learners often confuse ‘-(으)ㄹ 참이다‘ and ‘-(으)려고 하다‘ because both express future intentions. However, ‘-(으)ㄹ 참이다’ means an action is about to happen, while ‘-(으)려고 하다’ indicates a planned intention. Understanding these differences will help you speak more naturally. Let’s break them down with examples!
Contents
1. Definition
- ‘-(으)ㄹ 참이다’: This expression indicates that someone is about to do something or is planning to do it imminently. It conveys a sense of timing or readiness.
- English equivalent: “I am about to…“
- ‘-(으)려고 하다’: This expression signifies intention or effort to do something, often implying future action.
- English equivalent: “I intend to…” or “I am planning to…“
- English equivalent: “I intend to…” or “I am planning to…“
2. Form (Structure)
- ‘-(으)ㄹ 참이다’:
- Attach ‘-ㄹ 참이다’ to verb stems ending in vowels.
- Attach ‘-을 참이다’ to verb stems ending in consonants.
Examples: - 가다 (to go): 갈 참이다 → “I am about to go.”
- 먹다 (to eat): 먹을 참이다 → “I am about to eat.”
- 듣다 (to listen): 들을 참이다 → “I am about to listen.”
- ‘-(으)려고 하다’:
- Attach ‘-려고 하다’ to verb stems ending in vowels.
- Attach ‘-으려고 하다’ to verb stems ending in consonants.
Examples: - 가다 (to go): 가려고 하다 → “I intend to go.”
- 먹다 (to eat): 먹으려고 하다 → “I intend to eat.”
- 듣다 (to listen): 들으려고 하다 → “I intend to listen.”
3. Meaning & Usage
1. ‘-(으)ㄹ 참이다’:
Used when an action is imminent or planned for the near future.
Examples:
- 나는 지금 밥을 먹을 참이다. (I am about to eat now.)
- 그녀는 집에 갈 참이었다. (She was about to go home.)
- 우리는 영화를 볼 참이에요. (We are about to watch a movie.)
- 친구가 올 참입니다. (My friend is about to come.)
- 그는 운동을 시작할 참이었다. (He was about to start exercising.)
2. ‘-(으)려고 하다’:
Used when expressing intention or effort toward an action.
Examples:
- 나는 한국어를 배우려고 합니다. (I intend to learn Korean.)
- 그는 책을 읽으려고 했다. (He intended to read a book.)
- 우리는 여행을 가려고 해요. (We plan to go on a trip.)
- 그녀는 일을 끝내려고 했어요. (She tried to finish her work.)
- 아이들이 놀이터에서 놀려고 해요. (The children are planning to play at the playground.)
4. Key Points to Remember
- ‘-(으)ㄹ 참이다’: Focuses on imminent action or readiness.
- ‘-(으)려고 하다’: Indicates intention or effort toward future action.
5. Practice Exercises
Fill in the blanks with the correct form: ‘-(으)ㄹ 참이다’ or ‘-(으)려고 하다’.
- 나는 지금 집에 ________. (I am about to go home.)
- 친구를 ________. (I intend to meet my friend.)
- 밥을 ________ 참이에요. (I am about to eat.)
- 한국에서 일 ________ 해요. (I plan to work in Korea.)
- 부모님께 전화 ________. (I am about to call my parents.)
- 여행을 ________ 하는데 돈이 부족해요. (I plan to travel, but I don’t have enough money.)
- 커피를 ________ 참이었어요. (I was about to drink coffee.)
- 책을 읽으려고 ________. (I plan to read a book.)
- 공연이 곧 시작 ________. (The performance is about to start.)
- 비자를 신청 ________ 해요. (I am planning to apply for a visa.)
6. Answers
- 갈 참이다
- 만나려고 하다
- 먹을
- 하려고
- 드릴 참이다
- 가려고
- 마실
- 하다
- 할 참이다
- 하려고
7. Common Mistakes and Tips
⚠️ Mistake 1: Confusing the timing of actions between the two expressions
Incorrect: 나는 지금 밥을 먹으려고 해요. ❌ (I am planning to eat now.)
Correct: 나는 지금 밥을 먹을 참이에요. ✅ (I am about to eat now.)
💡 Tip: Use ‘-(으)ㄹ 참이다’ for actions that are about to happen imminently. Reserve ‘-(으)려고 하다’ for plans or intentions that are not immediate.
⚠️ Mistake 2: Using ‘-(으)ㄹ 참이다’ for distant future plans
Incorrect: 우리는 내년에 여행을 갈 참이에요 ❌ (We are about to go on a trip next year.)
Correct: 우리는 내년에 여행을 가려고 해요 ✅ (We plan to go on a trip next year.)
💡 Tip: Use ‘-(으)려고 하다’ for future intentions or plans, especially when referring to actions that will happen later rather than immediately.
⚠️ Mistake 3: Overusing either expression in formal writing
Incorrect: 사장님, 이 일을 끝낼 참입니다 ❌ (Boss, I am about to finish this work.)
Correct: 사장님, 이 일을 끝내겠습니다 ✅ (Boss, I will finish this work.)
💡 Tip: In formal contexts, avoid using ‘-(으)ㄹ 참이다’ or ‘-(으)려고 하다.’ Instead, use more polite and formal expressions like ‘-겠습니다’, which sound more professional and appropriate.
Both “-(으)ㄹ 참이다” and “-(으)려고 하다” express future intentions but have different nuances. “-(으)ㄹ 참이다” is used for actions that are about to happen, while “-(으)려고 하다” indicates planned actions. Using the correct form will make your Korean sound more natural and precise!