Expressing future plans or intentions is essential in Korean, and the grammar pattern ‘-(으)ㄹ 생각이다’ is a great way to do so. It translates to “I plan to” or “I intend to” in English. In this post, we’ll explore how to use ‘-(으)ㄹ 생각이다’ with practical examples and tips for everyday conversations.
Contents
1. Definition
The grammar pattern ‘-(으)ㄹ 생각이다’ is used to express the speaker’s intention, thought, or plan to do something in the future. It’s similar to saying “I think I will…” or “I plan to…” in English.
- English Equivalent: “I plan to“, “I intend to“, “I think I will“
2. Form (Structure)
This grammar pattern is used with verbs and follows a rule based on the final consonant of the verb root.
- If the verb root ends in a vowel or ㄹ: Add ‘-ㄹ 생각이다’.
- If the verb root ends in a consonant (other than ㄹ): Add ‘-을 생각이다’.
Structure Table
| Verb Stem Ending | Attach | Verb | Example |
| Vowel | -ㄹ 생각이다 | 가다 (to go) | 갈 생각이다 (I am planning to go) |
| ㄹ | – 생각이다 | 살다 (to live) | 살 생각이다 (I am planning to live) |
| Other Consonant | -을 생각이다 | 먹다 (to eat) | 먹을 생각이다 (I am planning to eat) |
3. Meaning & Usage
1. Expressing a personal plan or intention
- 이번 주말에 여행을 갈 생각이에요. (I plan to go on a trip this weekend.)
- 저는 대학원에 진학할 생각입니다. (I intend to enter graduate school.)
- 내년에 한국에서 일할 생각이에요. (I’m thinking of working in Korea next year.)
- 친구와 함께 가게를 열 생각이에요. (I plan to open a store with my friend.)
- 요즘 운동을 시작할 생각이에요. (I’m planning to start exercising these days.)
2. Expressing hesitation or consideration (often used with 아직)
- 아직 결혼할 생각은 없어요. (I’m not thinking about getting married yet.)
- 아직 회사를 옮길 생각은 없어요.(I don’t plan to change jobs yet.)
- 아직 유학 갈 생각은 없어요. (I’m not planning to study abroad yet.)
- 아직 그 사람을 만날 생각은 없어요. (I’m not planning to meet that person yet.)
- 아직 이사를 갈 생각은 없어요. (I don’t plan to move yet.)
3. Talking about other people’s plans (with inference or indirect speech)
- 민수 씨는 내년에 유학할 생각이래요. (I heard that Minsu is planning to study abroad next year.)
- 부모님은 시골로 이사할 생각이시래요. (My parents are thinking of moving to the countryside.)
- 선배는 회사를 그만둘 생각이래요. (My senior is planning to quit the company.)
- 친구는 자취할 생각이래요. (My friend is planning to live alone.)
- 언니는 자동차를 바꿀 생각이래요. (My sister is planning to change her car.)
4. Key Points to Remember
- Use the future tense marker -(으)ㄹ before 생각이다.
- This form is commonly used with verbs only, not adjectives.
- Depending on the context, it can express either a strong or tentative intention.
- Often used with expressions like 아직 (not yet), 벌써 (already), or future time markers.
5. Practice Exercises
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of ‘-(으)ㄹ 생각이다’.
- 다음 달에 일본에 ___________ 생각이에요. (가다)
- 저는 영어 공부를 더 ___________ 생각입니다. (하다)
- 그 친구는 회사를 ___________ 생각이 없대요. (그만두다)
- 아직 시험을 ___________ 생각은 없어요. (보다)
- 우리는 이번 주말에 등산을 ___________ 생각이에요. (가다)
- 동생은 내년에 대학교에 ___________ 생각이래요. (입학하다)
- 아직 이 제품을 ___________ 생각은 안 했습니다. (구매하다)
- 부모님은 시골에 ___________ 생각이시래요. (살다)
- 저는 지금 직장을 ___________ 생각 중이에요. (바꾸다)
- 다음 주부터 운동을 ___________ 생각이에요. (시작하다)
6. Answers
- 갈
- 할
- 그만둘
- 볼
- 갈
- 입학할
- 구매할
- 살
- 바꿀
- 시작할
7. Common Mistakes and Tips
⚠️ Mistake 1: Using adjectives with ‘-(으)ㄹ 생각이다’
Incorrect: 예쁠 생각이에요. ❌ (I plan to be pretty.)
Correct: 예뻐지고 싶어요. ✅ (I want to become pretty.)
💡 Tip: This grammar is used with verbs to describe intended actions, not with adjectives or to express states or qualities.
⚠️ Mistake 2: Mixing up ‘-(으)ㄹ 생각이다’ and ‘-(으)려고 하다’
Incorrect: 학교에 갈 생각하고 있어요. ❌ (I’m planning to go to school.)
Correct: 학교에 갈 생각이에요. ✅ (I’m planning to go to school.)
💡 Tip: Use ‘-(으)려고 하다’ for immediate or near-future intentions, and ‘-(으)ㄹ 생각이다’ for broader or more general plans.
⚠️ Mistake 3: Using it for actions happening right now
ncorrect: 지금 밥을 먹을 생각이에요. ❌ (I’m planning to eat now.)
Correct: 지금 밥을 먹고 있어요. ✅ (I’m eating now.)
💡 Tip: Use this structure only for future or not-yet-started plans, not for actions currently in progress.
The grammar pattern ‘-(으)ㄹ 생각이다’ is essential for expressing plans and intentions in Korean. It allows learners to naturally talk about what they are considering or planning to do in the future. Understanding its nuances and how it differs from similar patterns will improve speaking and writing skills at the intermediate level.