Expressing Speculation and Politeness with '겠' — Korean Grammar

The suffix (getgetgetkeyt) is a versatile grammatical element inserted between a verb stem and the sentence ending. It does not change form based on the preceding vowel or consonant. Its meaning shifts depending on the subject of the sentence and whether it is a statement or a question.

Expressing Speculation or Assumption

When talking about the third person, the weather, or general situations, (getgetgetkeyt) indicates a supposition based on immediate evidence or context. It translates to looks like, sounds like, must be, or probably. This is often used when reacting to something you see or hear.

와, 맛있겠어요!
wa, ma·sit·gess·ŏ·yo!wa, ma·sit·gess·eo·yo!wa, ma·sit·gess·ŏ·yo!wa, ma·sit·keyss·e·yo!
Wow, that looks delicious!
내일은 날씨가 춥겠습니다.
næ·i·rŭn nal·ssi·ga chʰup·get·sŭm·ni·da.nae·i·reun nal·ssi·ga chup·get·seum·ni·da.nae·i·rŭn nal·ssi·ga ch'up·get·sŭm·ni·da.nay·i·lun nal·ssi·ka chup·keyt·sum·ni·ta.
It will probably be cold tomorrow.
일이 많아서 힘들겠어요.
i·ri ma·na·sŏ him·dŭl·gess·ŏ·yo.i·ri ma·na·seo him·deul·gess·eo·yo.i·ri ma·na·sŏ him·dŭl·gess·ŏ·yo.i·li ma·na·se him·tul·keyss·e·yo.
You must be having a hard time because there is a lot of work.

Expressing Intention or Will (First Person)

When the subject is "I" (first person), (getgetgetkeyt) expresses a strong intention, determination, or promise. It is more formal and emphatic than the standard future tense. It conveys that the speaker has made a firm decision to do something.

제가 하겠습니다.
che·ga ha·get·sŭm·ni·da.je·ga ha·get·seum·ni·da.che·ga ha·get·sŭm·ni·da.cey·ka ha·keyt·sum·ni·ta.
I will do it.
열심히 공부하겠습니다.
yŏl·sim·hi kong·bu·ha·get·sŭm·ni·da.yeol·sim·hi gong·bu·ha·get·seum·ni·da.yŏl·sim·hi kong·bu·ha·get·sŭm·ni·da.yel·sim·hi kong·pu·ha·keyt·sum·ni·ta.
I will study hard.
다시는 늦지 않겠습니다.
ta·si·nŭn nŭt·ji an·kʰet·sŭm·ni·da.da·si·neun neut·ji an·ket·seum·ni·da.ta·si·nŭn nŭt·ji an·k'et·sŭm·ni·da.ta·si·nun nut·ci an·kheyt·sum·ni·ta.
I will not be late again.

Politeness in Questions and Offers

When asking questions to a listener (second person), (getgetgetkeyt) softens the tone. It changes a direct question into a polite proposal or inquiry about the listener's preference. This is equivalent to the English would or could.

무엇을 드시겠어요?
mu·ŏ·sŭl tŭ·si·gess·ŏ·yo?mu·eo·seul deu·si·gess·eo·yo?mu·ŏ·sŭl tŭ·si·gess·ŏ·yo?mu·e·sul tu·si·keyss·e·yo?
What would you like to eat?
메시지를 남기시겠습니까?
me·si·ji·rŭl nam·gi·si·get·sŭm·ni·gga?me·si·ji·reul nam·gi·si·get·seum·ni·gga?me·si·ji·rŭl nam·gi·si·get·sŭm·ni·kka?mey·si·ci·lul nam·ki·si·keyt·sum·ni·kka?
Would you like to leave a message?
잠시만 기다려 주시겠어요?
cham·si·man ki·da·ryŏ chu·si·gess·ŏ·yo?jam·si·man gi·da·ryeo ju·si·gess·eo·yo?cham·si·man ki·da·ryŏ chu·si·gess·ŏ·yo?cam·si·man ki·ta·lye cu·si·keyss·e·yo?
Could you please wait a moment?

Common Fixed Expressions

Several very common phrases in Korean use (getgetgetkeyt) to convey politeness or formal acknowledgment. These are often learned as set phrases.

알겠습니다.
al·get·sŭm·ni·da.al·get·seum·ni·da.al·get·sŭm·ni·da.al·keyt·sum·ni·ta.
I understand / I got it.
잘 모르겠습니다.
chal mo·rŭ·get·sŭm·ni·da.jal mo·reu·get·seum·ni·da.chal mo·rŭ·get·sŭm·ni·da.cal mo·lu·keyt·sum·ni·ta.
I don't know (polite).
처음 뵙겠습니다.
chʰŏ·ŭm bœp·get·sŭm·ni·da.cheo·eum boep·get·seum·ni·da.ch'ŏ·ŭm boep·get·sŭm·ni·da.che·um pwayp·keyt·sum·ni·ta.
Nice to meet you (lit. I will see you for the first time).
잘 먹겠습니다.
chal mŏk·get·sŭm·ni·da.jal meok·get·seum·ni·da.chal mŏk·get·sŭm·ni·da.cal mek·keyt·sum·ni·ta.
I will eat well (said before a meal).

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