The Korean ending ‘-(으)ㄹ래요’ actually has two different uses: a question form and a statement form.
- Question form (‘-(으)ㄹ래요?’) asks about someone else’s preference.
- Statement form (‘-(으)ㄹ래요.’) expresses your own decision, willingness, or preference.
This post focuses entirely on the statement form, helping you clearly express what you want to do in Korean without sounding too formal or blunt.
📌 Tip: To learn the question form ‘-(으)ㄹ래요?’ and how to ask someone’s preference politely, click the button below:
Learn about ‘-(으)ㄹ래요?’ Questions →
(Polite way to ask what someone wants in Korean, not your own decision)
Contents
- 1. What Does ‘-(으)ㄹ래요.’ Mean? (Statement Form)
- 2. How to Conjugate ‘-(으)ㄹ래요.’ (Verb Rules)
- 3. When to Use ‘-(으)ㄹ래요.’ in Daily Conversation
- 4. Practice Exercises for -(으)ㄹ래요.’
- 5. Common Confusions for ‘-(으)ㄹ래요.’
- 6. Mastering ‘-(으)ㄹ래요.’ in Korean: Summary and Tips
- 7. Q&A: Differences Between ‘-(으)ㄹ래요’ and Other Korean Grammar Patterns
- Related Korean Grammar Patterns
1. What Does ‘-(으)ㄹ래요.’ Mean? (Statement Form)
- Express personal choices or intentions
- Indicates spontaneous or immediate decisions
- Common in casual everyday conversation, not formal contexts
Example translations:
- 저는 집에서 쉴래요. → I’ll rest at home.
- 이 방법으로 할래요. → I’ll do it this way.
- 오늘은 일찍 잘래요. → I want to go to bed early today.
📌 Tip: Unlike ‘-고 싶다’ (want to do something), ‘-(으)ㄹ래요.’ emphasizes decision or action, not just desire.
2. How to Conjugate ‘-(으)ㄹ래요.’ (Verb Rules)
Attaching ‘-(으)ㄹ래요?’ to Verb Stems
‘-(으)ㄹ래요’ attaches only to verbs, and the form changes depending on whether the verb stem ends in a consonant or a vowel.
Verb Stems Ending in a Consonant
Add -(으)ㄹ래요 after the verb stem.
- 먹다 (to eat) → 먹을래요 (I want to eat)
- 닫다 (to close) → 닫을래요 (I’ll close it)
- 입다 (to wear) → 입을래요 (I want to wear it)
Verb Stems Ending in a Vowel
Add -ㄹ래요 after the verb stem.
- 가다 (to go) → 갈래요 (I want to go)
- 보다 (to see) → 볼래요 (I want to see)
- 쉬다 (to rest) → 쉴래요 (I want to rest)
하다 Verbs with ‘-(으)ㄹ래요.’
For 하다 verbs, 하다 changes to 할래요.
- 공부하다 (to study) → 공부할래요 (I want to study)
- 정리하다 (to organize) → 정리할래요 (I’ll organize it)
- 준비하다 (to prepare) → 준비할래요 (I want to prepare)
3. When to Use ‘-(으)ㄹ래요.’ in Daily Conversation
This section focuses on the statement form ‘-(으)ㄹ래요.’, showing how to express your own personal choice, willingness, or intention naturally in casual Korean conversation.
3-1. Immediate Decisions
Use ‘-(으)ㄹ래요.’ when making on-the-spot or spontaneous decisions. Perfect for casual conversations when you choose what to do right away.
- 오늘은 혼자 갈래요. (I’ll go alone today)
- 지금 바로 출발할래요. (I’ll leave right now)
- 갑자기 계획 바꿀래요. (I’ll change my plan suddenly)
- 이거 먹을래요. (I’ll eat this)
- 바로 시작할래요. (I’ll start right away)
- 지금 책 읽을래요. (I’ll read a book now)
3-2. Personal Preferences
Express what you prefer in situations involving options, helping others understand your choice clearly.
- 커피 대신 차 마실래요. (I’ll have tea instead of coffee)
- 이번 주말에는 등산할래요. (I’ll go hiking this weekend)
- 이 방법으로 할래요. (I’ll do it this way)
- 저녁은 집에서 먹을래요. (I’ll eat dinner at home)
- 검은색으로 할래요. (I’ll choose black)
- 간단하게 먹을래요. (I’ll eat simply)
3-3. Casual Daily Use
This ending is polite yet casual, suitable for everyday conversation with friends, colleagues, or peers.
- 집에서 저녁 먹을래요. (I’ll eat dinner at home)
- 일찍 잘래요. (I’ll sleep early)
- 같이 산책할래요. (I’ll go for a walk with you)
- 이건 제가 할래요. (I’ll do this)
- 청소는 제가 할래요. (I’ll clean)
- 음악 들을래요. (I’ll listen to music)
4. Practice Exercises for -(으)ㄹ래요.’
Fill in the blanks using ‘-(으)ㄹ래요.’
- 오늘은 집에서 __________.
(I’ll rest at home) - 저녁은 혼자 __________.
(I’ll eat dinner alone) - 내일 친구를 __________.
(I’ll meet my friend tomorrow) - 커피 대신 차 __________.
(I’ll have tea) - 지금 영화 __________.
(I’ll watch a movie) - 이 일 __________.
(I’ll do this task) - 오늘 조금 쉬었다가 __________.
(I’ll do it after a short break) - 내일 다시 __________.
(I’ll see it again tomorrow) - 간단하게 점심 __________.
(I’ll have a simple lunch) - 지금 잠깐 __________.
(I’ll take a short break)
Answer Key:
- 쉴래요.
- 먹을래요.
- 만날래요.
- 마실래요.
- 볼래요.
- 할래요.
- 할래요.
- 볼래요.
- 먹을래요.
- 쉴래요.
5. Common Confusions for ‘-(으)ㄹ래요.’
5-1. Confusion with Adjectives
Issue:
Some learners try to use ‘-(으)ㄹ래요.’ with adjectives to express a desired state.
Key explanation:
‘-(으)ㄹ래요.’ is only for actions. It shows willingness or intention to do something, not a personal desire or state of being.
Natural alternatives:
- 쉬고 싶어요. (I want to rest.) → ✅ correct
- 피곤할래요. → ❌ incorrect
5-2. Overusing in Polite Requests
Issue:
Learners sometimes use ‘-(으)ㄹ래요.’ with superiors or in formal contexts.
Key explanation:
Politeness depends on context and relationship. ‘-(으)ㄹ래요.’ expresses speaker’s personal choice and is casual only.
Natural alternatives:
- 같이 점심 먹을래요. (I’ll eat lunch together.) → ✅ casual
- 저는 점심 준비하겠습니다. (I’ll prepare lunch.) → ✅ formal
5-3. Mixing with Past Tense
Issue:
Some learners say 먹을랬어요 or 갈랬어요, thinking it is correct.
Key explanation:
‘-(으)ㄹ래요.’ already expresses future intention. Past tense forms are nonstandard and mostly appear in very casual speech.
Standard usage:
- 먹을래요. → ✅ correct (I’ll eat)
- 갈래요. → ✅ correct (I’ll go)
6. Mastering ‘-(으)ㄹ래요.’ in Korean: Summary and Tips
- Attaches to action verbs only (never adjectives)
- Signals on-the-spot decisions vs. -(으)려고 해요’s pre-planned action
- Period vs. question mark creates statement/question pairs
- Softer alternative to blunt commands: 할게요 → 할래요
- Avoids formal settings: use 하겠습니다/드리겠습니다 with superiors
- Quick Dialogue Example:
- A: 뭐 먹을래요? → What do you want?
- B: 김밥 먹을래요. → I’ll have kimbap
7. Q&A: Differences Between ‘-(으)ㄹ래요’ and Other Korean Grammar Patterns
Q1: What is the difference between ‘-(으)ㄹ래요’ and ‘-(으)ㄹ게요’?
A: ‘-(으)ㄹ래요’ expresses the speaker’s personal choice or immediate decision, while ‘-(으)ㄹ게요’ shows a commitment or promise, often taking the listener’s needs or convenience into account.
Q2: How does ‘-(으)ㄹ래요’ differ from ‘-(으)ㄹ까요’?
A: ‘-(으)ㄹ까요?’ is used to propose an action or politely ask the listener’s opinion, whereas ‘-(으)ㄹ래요’ emphasizes the speaker’s own decision or willingness, not asking the listener.
Q3: What is the difference between ‘-(으)ㄹ래요’ and ‘-고 싶다’?
A: ‘-고 싶다’ expresses a desire or wish internally felt by the speaker. ‘-(으)ㄹ래요’ shows an active choice or immediate decision to act, not just wanting something.
Q4: How does ‘-(으)ㄹ래요’ differ from ‘-(으)려고 하다’?
A: ‘-(으)려고 하다’ indicates a pre-planned intention or future action, while ‘-(으)ㄹ래요’ signals a spontaneous or on-the-spot decision.
Q5: What is the difference between ‘-(으)ㄹ래요’ and ‘-(으)ㄹ 필요가 있다/없다’?
A: ‘-(으)ㄹ 필요가 있다/없다’ expresses necessity or lack of necessity. ‘-(으)ㄹ래요’ conveys the speaker’s personal willingness or choice, independent of obligation.
Related Korean Grammar Patterns
These patterns are often studied together with ‘-(으)ㄹ래요?’ and are useful for understanding subtle differences in nuance and usage.
-(으)ㄹ게요 (I’ll…) – Speaker’s Decision or Promise
Used when the speaker makes a decision or commitment, usually in response to the listener. It emphasizes responsibility or consideration toward the listener rather than simple personal preference.
-(으)ㄹ까요? (Shall we…? / Do you want me to…?) – Asking for Suggestions or Opinions
Used to propose an action or check the listener’s opinion. Unlike ‘-(으)ㄹ래요.’, it involves the listener in the decision.
-고 싶다 (Want to…) – Expressing Desire
Expresses the speaker’s desire to do something. It differs from ‘-(으)ㄹ래요.’ because it focuses on want, not necessarily on an immediate decision or willingness to act.
-(으)ㄹ 수 있다 (I can…) – Ability/Possibility
Used to express ability or possibility to do something. Focuses on capability rather than personal choice or willingness like ‘-(으)ㄹ래요.’.
-아/어 주다 (I’ll do it for you) – Consideration Promise
Expresses willingness to do something for the listener’s benefit. Works with -(으)ㄹ게요 as a pair for showing consideration vs personal preference.