Questions with 'ㄹ까' — Korean Grammar

The ending (-(ŭ)l·gga-(ŭ)l·gga-(ŭ)l·kka-(ŭ)l·kka) is a versatile question form used to express suggestions, offers, or uncertainty. It attaches directly to the verb or adjective stem. The specific meaning depends on the subject of the sentence and the context.

Construction

To attach this ending, look at the final letter of the verb stem:

If the stem ends in a vowel, add (l·ggal·ggal·kkal·kka) to the bottom of the syllable.
If the stem ends in a consonant, add (ŭl·ggaeul·ggaŭl·kkaul·kka).
If the stem already ends in the consonant ㄹ (l), simply add (ggaggakkakka).

가다 → 갈까?
ga·da → gal·gga?ga·da → gal·gga?ga·da → gal·kka?ka·ta → kal·kka?
To go → Shall we go?
먹다 → 먹을까?
mŏk·da → mŏ·gŭl·gga?meok·da → meo·geul·gga?mŏk·da → mŏ·gŭl·kka?mek·ta → me·kul·kka?
To eat → Shall we eat?
살다 → 살까?
sal·da → sal·gga?sal·da → sal·gga?sal·da → sal·kka?sal·ta → sal·kka?
To live → Shall we live?

Meaning 1: "Shall we...?" (Suggestions)

When the subject is "we" (often implied), this form is used to suggest an activity or ask for the listener's opinion about doing something together. It translates to "Shall we...?" or "Do you want to...?".

우리 내일 만날까?
u·ri næ·il man·nal·gga?u·ri nae·il man·nal·gga?u·ri nae·il man·nal·kka?u·li nay·il man·nal·kka?
Shall we meet tomorrow?
무엇을 마실까?
mu·ŏ·sŭl ma·sil·gga?mu·eo·seul ma·sil·gga?mu·ŏ·sŭl ma·sil·kka?mu·e·sul ma·sil·kka?
What shall we drink?
여기서 기다릴까?
yŏ·gi·sŏ gi·da·ril·gga?yeo·gi·seo gi·da·ril·gga?yŏ·gi·sŏ gi·da·ril·kka?ye·ki·se ki·ta·lil·kka?
Shall we wait here?

Meaning 2: "Shall I...?" (Offers)

When the subject is "I" (often implied), the speaker is offering to do something for the listener or asking for permission. It translates to "Shall I...?" or "Do you want me to...?".

내가 도와줄까?
næ·ga do·wa·jul·gga?nae·ga do·wa·jul·gga?nae·ga do·wa·jul·kka?nay·ka to·wa·cul·kka?
Shall I help you?
창문을 열까?
chʰang·mu·nŭl yŏl·gga?chang·mu·neul yeol·gga?ch'ang·mu·nŭl yŏl·kka?chang·mu·nul yel·kka?
Shall I open the window?
내가 할까?
næ·ga hal·gga?nae·ga hal·gga?nae·ga hal·kka?nay·ka hal·kka?
Shall I do it?

Meaning 3: "I wonder..." (Speculation)

When the subject is a third person or an inanimate object, or when the speaker is talking to themselves, this form expresses doubt, curiosity, or speculation. It translates to "I wonder if...", "Do you think...", or "Will it...?".

비가 올까?
bi·ga ol·gga?bi·ga ol·gga?bi·ga ol·kka?pi·ka ol·kka?
I wonder if it will rain?
이게 맛있을까?
i·ge ma·si·ssŭl·gga?i·ge ma·si·sseul·gga?i·ge ma·si·ssŭl·kka?i·key ma·si·ssul·kka?
Do you think this will be tasty?
그 사람이 집에 있을까?
gŭ sa·ra·mi ji·be i·ssŭl·gga?geu sa·ra·mi ji·be i·sseul·gga?gŭ sa·ra·mi ji·be i·ssŭl·kka?ku sa·la·mi ci·pey i·ssul·kka?
I wonder if that person is at home?

Politeness Levels

By itself, (-(ŭ)l·gga-(ŭ)l·gga-(ŭ)l·kka-(ŭ)l·kka) is casual ( (ban·malban·malban·malpan·mal)). To make the sentence polite ( (jon·dæn·maljon·daen·maljon·daen·malcon·tayn·mal)), simply add the suffix (yo) at the very end. This turns (-(ŭ)l·gga-(ŭ)l·gga-(ŭ)l·kka-(ŭ)l·kka) into (-(ŭ)l·gga·yo-(ŭ)l·gga·yo-(ŭ)l·kka·yo-(ŭ)l·kka·yo).

같이 갈까요?
ga·chʰi gal·gga·yo?ga·chi gal·gga·yo?ga·ch'i gal·kka·yo?ka·chi kal·kka·yo?
Shall we go together? (Polite)
제가 할까요?
je·ga hal·gga·yo?je·ga hal·gga·yo?je·ga hal·kka·yo?cey·ka hal·kka·yo?
Shall I do it? (Polite)
내일 날씨가 좋을까요?
næ·il nal·ssi·ga jo·ŭl·gga·yo?nae·il nal·ssi·ga jo·eul·gga·yo?nae·il nal·ssi·ga jo·ŭl·kka·yo?nay·il nal·ssi·ka co·ul·kka·yo?
Do you think the weather will be good tomorrow? (Polite)

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