Have you ever wanted to say something like “I will eat,” “She will go,” or “We will meet” in Korean but didn’t know how? Don’t worry—learning the future tense in Korean is easier than you might think!
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The most common and beginner-friendly way to express the future tense is by using ~ㄹ 거예요 or ~을 거예요. This form is natural, polite, and used every day by Korean speakers. In this post, you’ll learn what it means, how to conjugate it, when to use it, and what common mistakes to avoid.
1️⃣ What Is the Future Tense in Korean?
The Korean future tense is most commonly expressed using ~ㄹ 거예요 or ~을 거예요, which translates closely to “will” in English. It’s used to talk about intentions, plans, or things that are expected to happen. Unlike in English, where “will” is placed before the verb, in Korean, the future tense comes at the end of the verb phrase. This means you conjugate the verb stem first and then attach the future marker.
For example, the verb “가다 (to go)” becomes “갈 거예요 (will go).” The polite ending “요” makes it suitable for daily conversation. One key difference between English and Korean is that Korean doesn’t require a subject if it’s clear from the context. So instead of saying “I will go,” you might just say “갈 거예요” and the listener will understand who you’re talking about.
This form is essential because it’s used across all areas of life—whether you're talking about your weekend, setting goals, or making casual plans. It's not overly formal, which makes it perfect for friendly conversations. Korean has other future forms like ~겠다 and ~(으)ㄹ 것이다, but ~ㄹ 거예요 is the most approachable for beginners.
One thing to remember is that Koreans often rely on context, so even future actions can sometimes sound present-tense if you're not listening carefully. That’s why mastering this form is important—it adds clarity and confidence to your speech. Whether you’re ordering food, making a promise, or talking about the weather, this structure will come in handy every day.
🔍 Korean vs English Future Tense – Comparison Table
| Feature | English (will) | Korean (~ㄹ 거예요) |
|---|---|---|
| Position | Subject + will + verb | Verb + ~ㄹ/을 거예요 |
| Formality | Neutral | Polite |
| Tone | Sometimes firm or certain | Soft intention or prediction |
| Use in Conversation | Common | Very common |
As you can see, the Korean future tense form ~ㄹ 거예요 is often used in polite everyday speech, while English tends to use “will” more straightforwardly. Understanding the nuance is key to speaking naturally!
2️⃣ How to Conjugate ~ㄹ 거예요
Conjugating the future tense in Korean using ~ㄹ 거예요 or ~을 거예요 depends on whether the verb stem ends in a vowel or a consonant. If it ends in a vowel, you simply add ㄹ 거예요; if it ends in a consonant, you add 을 거예요. This makes the rule very predictable and easy to memorize with practice.
Let’s take a few examples. The verb “오다 (to come)” ends in a vowel, so it becomes “올 거예요.” But the verb “먹다 (to eat)” ends in a consonant, so it becomes “먹을 거예요.” The only irregular verb to keep in mind at this level is “하다 (to do),” which becomes “할 거예요” by removing the 다 and adding ㄹ 거예요 directly.
This pattern applies across thousands of Korean verbs, making it an essential building block in your grammar toolkit. In addition, the polite ending “요” keeps your speech friendly and appropriate in most daily situations. You don’t have to worry about formal language unless you're in very professional settings.
Once you get the hang of recognizing verb stems and their endings, conjugating future tense will become second nature. Try practicing with verbs you use every day: 가다, 보다, 사다, 마시다, and so on. Repetition is key to remembering these patterns, so include them in speaking and writing exercises regularly.
🧠 Future Tense Conjugation Table
| Verb | Stem | Ends In | Future Tense |
|---|---|---|---|
| 가다 | 가 | Vowel | 갈 거예요 |
| 먹다 | 먹 | Consonant | 먹을 거예요 |
| 하다 | 하 | Irregular | 할 거예요 |
Now that you know how to form the future tense, let’s take a look at some irregular verbs and how they behave.
3️⃣ Irregular Verbs in Future Tense
While most Korean verbs follow regular rules for future tense, a few verbs are classified as irregular because their stem changes slightly. A common irregular group includes ㄷ-ending verbs like “걷다 (to walk)” and “듣다 (to listen),” which change ㄷ to ㄹ before adding the ending. So “걷다” becomes “걸을 거예요,” and “듣다” becomes “들을 거예요.”
Another irregular group involves ㅂ-ending verbs like “돕다 (to help).” In this case, the ㅂ changes to 오, resulting in “도울 거예요.” These irregularities are consistent, so once you learn them, you can apply the rule across all similar verbs. Though they may seem confusing at first, with repetition and real sentence practice, they become easier.
The best way to remember irregulars is to group them by pattern and build vocabulary lists. You might also encounter some less common irregulars like “낫다 (to heal)” or “긋다 (to draw a line),” which require special attention. However, these are not a priority for beginners.
In my experience, focusing on 5–10 irregular verbs and practicing them regularly in future-tense sentences is more effective than memorizing a long list. For example, use “걸을 거예요” when planning to walk somewhere, or “도울 거예요” when offering to help someone. This way, you’ll naturally remember how to use the correct form in context.
⚠️ Common Irregular Future Forms
| Verb | Type | Future Tense | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 걷다 (to walk) | ㄷ → ㄹ | 걸을 거예요 | will walk |
| 듣다 (to listen) | ㄷ → ㄹ | 들을 거예요 | will listen |
| 돕다 (to help) | ㅂ → 오 | 도울 거예요 | will help |
Don't worry if this feels overwhelming. The most important thing is to recognize patterns and repeat with examples. After a few tries, it becomes second nature!
4️⃣ Real-life Sentence Examples Using ~ㄹ 거예요
Using real-life examples is one of the best ways to internalize grammar. Let’s start with simple sentences like “내일 영화 볼 거예요” which means “I will watch a movie tomorrow.” This not only uses the future tense but also includes a time marker, making it more complete and natural. Time markers like 내일 (tomorrow), 곧 (soon), or 이번 주 (this week) work perfectly with this form.
Another common example is “친구를 만날 거예요” — “I will meet a friend.” Notice how the object “친구를” comes before the verb, just like in most Korean sentence structures. This helps reinforce your object-particle use alongside the future tense.
Try writing your own daily plans: “저녁을 먹을 거예요,” “공부할 거예요,” “운동할 거예요.” These sentences become even more useful when used in conversation, especially if you're talking about your schedule or plans for the week. Practice saying them aloud!
If you’re watching a Korean drama or variety show, listen carefully to how characters say things like “할 거예요” or “올 거예요.” They’re often expressing decisions or telling others what they plan to do next. This form appears in both questions and statements, so you'll hear things like “갈 거예요?” meaning “Will you go?” or “뭐 할 거예요?” meaning “What will you do?”
💬 Future Tense in Action
| Korean | English | Verb |
|---|---|---|
| 내일 영화를 볼 거예요. | I will watch a movie tomorrow. | 보다 → 볼 거예요 |
| 친구를 만날 거예요. | I will meet a friend. | 만나다 → 만날 거예요 |
| 밥을 먹을 거예요. | I will eat. | 먹다 → 먹을 거예요 |
You can try replacing the verbs in these sentences with your own. Practicing aloud with variations helps build fluency quickly.
5️⃣ Common Mistakes to Avoid
One of the most common beginner mistakes is confusing when to use ㄹ vs 을. Many learners mistakenly say “가을 거예요” instead of “갈 거예요.” The key is simple: if the verb ends in a vowel, use ㄹ; if it ends in a consonant, use 을. Get into the habit of checking the last letter of the verb stem before conjugating.
Another frequent error is incorrect spacing or merging of syllables. For example, writing “먹ㄹ 거예요” is not only wrong but also hard to read. Always write the correct conjugation form with proper spacing. Korean learners also sometimes forget that “하다” becomes “할 거예요,” not “하을 거예요.”
Also, don’t confuse future tense with present tense. Beginners sometimes say “먹어요” (I eat) when they mean “먹을 거예요” (I will eat). The context is different, and using the wrong tense can confuse your listener. Always use time markers or intonation if you're not sure.
Finally, try not to overuse the future tense in situations where present or progressive forms are more natural. Koreans may use present forms to express near-future actions. But if you’re making a plan or prediction, ~ㄹ 거예요 is your best friend. Use it with confidence, and don’t be afraid to make small mistakes along the way!
🚫 Typical Errors & Fixes
| Mistake | Why It's Wrong | Correct Form |
|---|---|---|
| 가을 거예요 | Used 을 after vowel stem | 갈 거예요 |
| 하을 거예요 | 하다 doesn’t use 을/ㄹ | 할 거예요 |
| 먹ㄹ 거예요 | Incorrect character spacing | 먹을 거예요 |
When in doubt, write out the base form and double-check if the verb ends in a vowel or consonant. Over time, you'll develop an instinct for which one to use.
6️⃣ Practice Quiz: Test Your Future Tense Skills!
Quizzes are a great way to test what you’ve learned and apply grammar in a real way. In this section, we included a mini quiz with common verbs like 보다, 가다, and 먹다. These are essential for daily conversations and will appear frequently in real life.
To make the most of the quiz, try covering the answers and guessing the right form first. Then reveal the answers and say them out loud. Even better—write your own future-tense sentences with those verbs. For example, “I will go to Korea next year” → “내년에 한국에 갈 거예요.”
You can also try recording yourself reading the questions and answers. Listening back will help you catch pronunciation or rhythm issues. Learning through quizzes doesn’t just check your knowledge—it helps reinforce patterns through active recall.
If you’re teaching yourself Korean or working with a tutor, using quizzes like this weekly can boost your progress significantly. Combine them with flashcards or language exchange apps for even better results. And remember, consistency is more important than perfection. 😉
✍️ Quiz Table
| Verb (Base) | Sentence (Korean) | Your Answer | Correct Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 보다 | 내일 영화를 ______. | ________ | 볼 거예요 |
| 가다 | 저는 학교에 ______. | ________ | 갈 거예요 |
| 먹다 | 점심을 ______. | ________ | 먹을 거예요 |
❓ FAQ – Korean Future Tense (~ㄹ 거예요)
Q1. What does ~ㄹ 거예요 mean?
A1. It means "will do" or expresses future intention in polite form.
Q2. Is it the only way to express future tense?
A2. No, you can also use ~(으)ㄹ 것이다 or ~겠다 for more formal or literary use.
Q3. What’s the difference between ㄹ 거예요 and 겠어요?
A3. ~ㄹ 거예요 is more about intention; ~겠어요 can express assumption or determination.
Q4. Can I use it with adjectives?
A4. Usually not. Future tense is more naturally used with action verbs.
Q5. How do I conjugate 하다?
A5. 하다 becomes 할 거예요.
Q6. What’s the difference between 갈 거예요 and 가요?
A6. “갈 거예요” = I will go. “가요” = I am going (present tense).
Q7. Is ㄹ 거예요 polite?
A7. Yes, it’s polite but not formal. You can use it in most daily conversations.
Q8. Can I use it with “나중에” or “내일”?
A8. Yes! These time markers are commonly used with future tense.
Q9. Should I pronounce 거예요 as “거예요” or “거에요”?
A9. Correct spelling is “거예요,” and it’s pronounced as written.
Q10. What’s the past tense of ㄹ 거예요?
A10. It would simply be ~았어요/었어요 depending on the verb stem.
Q11. How do I say “won’t go” in the future tense?
A11. You can say 안 갈 거예요 or use the longer form 가지 않을 거예요.
Q12. Can I use ㄹ 거예요 for plans that are not 100% confirmed?
A12. Yes! It's often used for future intentions that are likely, but not certain.
Q13. Is ㄹ 거예요 used in formal writing?
A13. Not usually. In formal writing, you might see ~(으)ㄹ 것이다 instead.
Q14. Can I use ㄹ 거예요 in a question?
A14. Absolutely! For example: 갈 거예요? means “Will you go?”
Q15. What's the honorific version of ㄹ 거예요?
A15. Use the honorific verb stem, e.g., 가다 → 가시다 → 가실 거예요.
Q16. What’s the difference between 갈 거예요 and 갈 것입니다?
A16. 갈 거예요 is polite and common in conversation. 갈 것입니다 is formal and used in speeches or news.
Q17. Can ㄹ 거예요 be used with negative commands?
A17. Not really. Commands and future tense don’t usually mix. Use command forms like ~지 마세요.
Q18. Is it okay to just use 거예요 without the ㄹ/을?
A18. No, that would be grammatically incorrect. You must conjugate the verb properly before 거예요.
Q19. Can I use ㄹ 거예요 with adjectives like 예쁘다?
A19. It’s uncommon. Future tense is usually for actions, not states. Use different structures to describe future qualities.
Q20. How do I practice using ㄹ 거예요 effectively?
A20. Try making daily plans aloud in Korean: “I will go,” “I will eat,” etc. Speaking and writing consistently helps.
Q21. Can I contract 거예요 in casual speech?
A21. Yes, in fast speech it can sound like “거예↘요,” but it’s still written the same.
Q22. Can I say “He will go” using 갈 거예요?
A22. Yes, Korean doesn’t change verb forms for subjects. “He will go” is still 갈 거예요.
Q23. Does ㄹ 거예요 express certainty?
A23. It shows intention or likelihood, not full certainty. Use context to clarify.
Q24. Is ㄹ 거예요 okay to use in Kakaotalk or texting?
A24. Yes! It's casual yet polite—perfect for messaging friends or coworkers.
Q25. Can I use ㄹ 거예요 to talk about someone else's plan?
A25. Yes, but make sure the context is clear that it's their intention, not yours.
Q26. What are some time markers that go well with ㄹ 거예요?
A26. Words like 내일 (tomorrow), 곧 (soon), 이번 주 (this week) pair well.
Q27. What’s a fun way to memorize ㄹ 거예요 forms?
A27. Use flashcards with verb stems on one side and future tense forms on the other. Or quiz yourself while watching K-dramas!
Q28. Can I use ㄹ 거예요 when making a promise?
A28. Definitely! “약속할 거예요” means “I will promise.” Just be sincere 😉
Q29. What happens if I forget to change ㄷ to ㄹ in irregular verbs?
A29. It becomes incorrect. For example, “듣을 거예요” is wrong; it should be 들을 거예요.
Q30. What’s the best way to master ㄹ 거예요?
A30. Mix repetition with real-life examples. Talk to a language partner, use apps, and write your plans daily in Korean.
This article is for educational purposes only. It reflects standard Korean grammar and may not apply to all dialects or advanced speech forms. Please consult with a certified instructor for professional learning.
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