The Korean grammar pattern ‘-(으)려나 보다’ is used to express a guess about someone’s intention. This structure is common in everyday Korean and useful for learners who want to speak naturally. In this post, you’ll learn the meaning, structure, and real-life usage of ‘-(으)려나 보다’ in Korean grammar with practical examples and tips.
Contents
1. Definition
‘-(으)려나 보다’ is used to express a guess or assumption that someone is about to do something. The English equivalent would be:
“It seems like (someone) is going to…” or “I guess (someone) is trying to…”
This expression combines:
- the intention marker ‘-(으)려고’
- the tentative form ‘-(으)려나’
- and the verb ‘보다’ meaning ‘to see’ (in this context, it acts as a grammatical particle for conjecture).
2. Form (Structure)
The grammar pattern ‘-(으)려나 보다’ is used by attaching it directly to the verb stem, and it is only used with verbs. This structure expresses a soft assumption or guess about what someone else might be about to do.
Conjugation Rules:
- When the verb stem ends in a vowel, attach -려나 보다.
- When the verb stem ends in a consonant (except ㄹ), attach -으려나 보다.
- When the verb stem ends in ㄹ, treat it like a vowel-ending verb and attach -려나 보다.
This pattern is used in present tense and mainly to talk about another person’s intention or upcoming action, not the speaker’s own.
Conjugation Table for ‘-(으)려나 보다’
| Verb Ending Type | Rule | Verb | Conjugated Form |
| Vowel-ending verb | verb + 려나 보다 | 가다 (to go) | 가려나 보다 I guess (someone) is going to go |
| Consonant-ending verb (except ㄹ) | verb + 으려나 보다 | 먹다 (to eat) | 먹으려나 보다 I guess (someone) is going to eat |
| Verb ending in ㄹ | verb + 려나 보다 | 살다 (to live) | 살려나 보다 I guess (someone) is going to live |
3. Meaning & Usage
‘-(으)려나 보다’ is used when the speaker makes a tentative guess or speculation about another person’s intention or a future event, usually based on what they observe or feel at the moment.
It is softer and more speculative than ‘-(으)려고 하다’, which expresses a clear intention or plan. This pattern is common in everyday spoken Korean and is rarely used in formal speech or writing.
1. Guessing someone’s future action (based on observation)
- 민수가 나가려나 봐요. (It looks like Minsu is going to leave.)
- 비가 오려나 봐요. (I guess it’s going to rain.)
- 지민 씨가 전화하려나 봐요. (It looks like Jimin is about to make a call.)
- 학생들이 발표하려나 봐요. (It looks like the students are getting ready to present.)
- 엄마가 요리하려나 봐요. (I guess Mom is going to cook.)
2. Expressing a soft assumption (not definite)
- 저 사람이 사진을 찍으려나 봐요. (I guess that person is going to take a picture.)
- 다들 집에 가려나 봐요. (It looks like everyone is about to go home.)
- 아이가 울려나 봐요.(I guess the child is going to cry.)
- 친구가 뭔가 말하려나 봐요. (It looks like my friend is about to say something.)
- 선생님이 설명을 시작하려나 봐요.(I guess the teacher is about to start explaining.)
3. Interpreting someone’s behavior
- 고양이가 뛰려나 봐요. (It looks like the cat is about to jump.)
- 민호 씨가 늦으려나 봐요. (I guess Minho is going to be late.)
- 사람들이 기다리려나 봐요. (It looks like people are going to wait.)
- 언니가 울려나 봐요. (I guess my sister is going to cry.)
- 지수가 화를 내려나 봐요. (I guess Jisoo is about to get angry.)
4. Negative forms
- 오늘은 비가 안 오려나 봐요. (I guess it’s not going to rain today.)
- 민수가 숙제를 안 하려나 봐요. (It looks like Minsu isn’t going to do his homework.)
- 사람들이 안 오려나 봐요. (I guess people aren’t coming.)
- 지수가 오늘 운동을 못 하려나 봐요. (It looks like Jisoo isn’t able to exercise today.)
- 지수가 오늘 운동을 안 하려나 봐요. (It looks like Jisoo isn’t going to exercise today.)
4. Key Points to Remember
- Used only with verbs, not adjectives or nouns.
- Often describes someone’s intended action or a natural event based on observation by the speaker.
- Expresses tentative speculation, less certain than direct statements.
- Softer and more speculative than ‘-(으)려고 하다’, which states a clear plan or intention.
- Can be used for intentional actions (e.g., speaking, going somewhere) and certain unintentional events (e.g., rain, wind), but not with descriptive verbs (adjectives).
- Common in casual spoken Korean and unsuitable for formal writing or speeches.
5. Practice Exercises
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of ‘-(으)려나 보다’.
- 동생이 문을 (열다) __________.
(It seems my younger sibling is going to open the door.) - 사람들이 밖으로 (나가다) __________.
(I guess people are going outside.) - 아이가 울음을 (터뜨리다) __________.
(It looks like the child is about to cry.) - 철수가 뭔가를 (말하다) __________.
(I think Chulsoo is about to say something.) - 엄마가 음식을 (만들다) __________.
(I guess Mom is going to make food.) - 그 남자가 사진을 (찍다) __________.
(It seems that man is about to take a photo.) - 비가 곧 (내리다) __________.
(It looks like it’s going to rain soon.) - 누나가 나가려고 (준비하다) __________.
(I think my older sister is getting ready to go out.) - 사람들이 줄을 (서다) __________.
(I guess people are lining up.) - 친구들이 운동을 (하다) __________.
(I think my friends are going to exercise.)
6. Answers
- 열려나 보다
- 나가려나 보다
- 터뜨리려나 보다
- 말하려나 보다
- 만들려나 보다
- 찍으려나 보다
- 내리려나 보다
- 준비하려나 보다
- 서려나 보다
- 하려나 보다
7. Common Mistakes and Tips
⚠️ Mistake 1: Using with adjectives or nouns
Incorrect: 오늘은 추우려나 봐요. ❌
Correct: 오늘은 추운 것 같아요. ✅
💡 Tip: ‘-(으)려나 보다’ is only used with verbs. Use ‘-은/는 것 같다’ with adjectives.
⚠️ Mistake 2: Using to describe one’s own clear intention
Incorrect: 저는 집에 가려나 봐요. ❌
Correct: 저는 집에 가려고 해요. ✅
💡 Tip: This grammar is mainly used to guess others’ intentions. It’s rarely used for the speaker’s own intention, except in self-reflection or when unsure.
⚠️ Mistake 3: Mixing up with ‘-(으)려고 하다’
Incorrect: 비가 오려고 해요. ❌
Correct: 비가 오려나 봐요. ✅
💡 Tip: ‘-(으)려고 하다’ expresses a clear intention or plan, usually for subjects that can intend (people, animals). ‘-(으)려나 보다’ expresses speculative guessing based on observation.
The Korean grammar pattern ‘-(으)려나 보다’ is a helpful way to express guesses about what someone else might be planning or intending to do. It adds a soft, observational tone to your Korean and is especially useful in casual conversations. By practicing with real-life examples, learners can naturally incorporate this structure into everyday speech.