Korean Grammar Basic #15 – How to Use “(으)ㄹ 거예요(Future Tense)

Lee Serene
Oct 24, 2025
3 min read

1️⃣ Introduction

In English, we say:

I will go.I will study.I will eat.

In Korean, we use -(으)ㄹ 거예요 to express the same meaning.It’s one of the most common future tense endings, used in both spoken and written Korean.

2️⃣ Grammar Explanation

🔹 (으)ㄹ거예요 (Future Tense)

“-(으)ㄹ” marks future tense or intention, and “거예요” adds politeness.
Literally, “-(으)ㄹ 거예요” comes from “-(으)ㄹ 것 + 이예요” → “거예요” (spoken contraction).It literally means “It is a thing that will (do)” → naturally “I will ~.”

Stem ending	Rule	Example	Meaning
Ends with a consonant*	Add -을 거예요	먹다 → 먹을 거예요	will eat
Ends with a vowel	Add -ㄹ 거예요	가다 → 갈 거예요	will go
하다 verbs	Add -ㄹ 거예요 after 하	하다 → 할 거예요	will do

*If the verb stem already ends in ㄹ, you just add 거예요 (don’t double the ㄹ).

살다 → 살 거예요 (not 살을 거예요 ❌)

Let’s see how dictionary verbs turn into future tense:

가다 → remove -다 → 가 + ㄹ 거예요
→ 갈 거예요 (gal geo-ye-yo) → I will go.
먹다 → remove -다 → 먹 + 을 거예요
→ 먹을 거예요 (meo-geul geo-ye-yo) → I will eat.
하다 → remove -다 → 하 + ㄹ 거예요
→ 할 거예요 (hal geo-ye-yo) → I will do.

Usage

Talking about future plans
Making predictions
Expressing your intention politely

Example Sentences

내일 친구를 만날 거예요.
(nae-il chin-gu-reul man-nal geo-ye-yo)
→ I will meet my friend tomorrow.
이번 주말에 영화를 볼 거예요.
(i-beon ju-mal-e yeong-hwa-reul bol geo-ye-yo)
→ I will watch a movie this weekend.
다음 달에 한국에 갈 거예요.
(da-eum dal-e han-gu-ge gal geo-ye-yo)
→ I will go to Korea next month.
저녁에 집에서 쉴 거예요.
(jeo-nyeo-ge jib-e-seo swil geo-ye-yo)
→ I will rest at home in the evening.
내년에 새로운 일을 할 거예요.
(nae-nye-ne sae-ro-un il-eul hal geo-ye-yo)
→ I will do a new job next year.

3️⃣ Comparison: -(으)ㄹ 거예요 vs -ㄹ게요

Form	Meaning	Nuance / When to Use	Example
-(으)ㄹ 거예요	Will / Plan / Prediction	Used when you’re talking about your plan or guess (objective)	내일 갈 거예요. → I’ll go tomorrow.
-ㄹ게요	Will (Promise / Decision)	Used when you’re deciding or promising at the moment of speaking, often to someone else (interactive)	지금 갈게요! → I’ll go now (I promise).

-(으)ㄹ 거예요 = talking about the future (your plan, intention).
-ㄹ게요 = deciding in the moment or responding to someone (“Okay, I’ll do it.”)
Ex: A: “조심하세요!”(Be careful!) → B: “네, 조심할게요!” (Okay, I’ll be careful!)

3️⃣ Mini Practice

Fill in the blanks.

1️⃣ 내일 친구를 만나______.

(I’ll meet my friend tomorrow.)

2️⃣ 다음 주에 여행을 가______.

(I’ll go on a trip next week.)

3️⃣ 오늘 저녁에 집에서 쉬______.

(I’ll rest at home tonight.)

4️⃣ 내년에 한국어를 공부______.

(I’ll study Korean next year.)

5️⃣ 지금 바로 전화하______.

(I’ll call right now [promise tone].)

Answers

1️⃣ 만날 거예요 → from 만나(다) + ㄹ 거예요 → I will meet my friend.

2️⃣ 갈 거예요 → from 가(다) + ㄹ 거예요 → I will go on a trip.

3️⃣ 쉴 거예요 → from 쉬(다) + ㄹ 거예요 → I will rest at home.

4️⃣ 공부할 거예요 → from 공부하(다) + ㄹ 거예요 → I will study Korean.

5️⃣ 전화할게요 → uses -ㄹ게요 for “promise” nuance → I’ll call right now (to you).

Use -(으)ㄹ 거예요 for plans or general future events.
Use -ㄹ게요 when you promise, decide, or respond to someone’s request.

Vocabulary Check

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
만나다	(man-na-da)	to meet
가다	(ga-da)	to go
쉬다	(swi-da)	to rest
공부하다	(gong-bu-ha-da)	to study
전화하다	(jeon-hwa-ha-da)	to call
보다	(bo-da)	to see / to watch

Summary

Grammar	Function	Example	Meaning
-(으)ㄹ 거예요	Express future plan or prediction	내일 갈 거예요.	I will go tomorrow.
-ㄹ게요	Express immediate decision or promise	지금 갈게요.	I’ll go now (promise).

Remove -다 and add -(으)ㄹ 거예요 depending on final consonant.
Use -ㄹ게요 when speaking directly to someone to show willingness or promise.
“-(으)ㄹ 거예요” is for plans, “-ㄹ게요” is for interaction.

📂 Download Practice File

Review and complete more examples in your free worksheet:

📥 Download your “-(으)ㄹ 거예요 vs -ㄹ게요”Grammar Practice Sheet

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