Verbs: Future Tense

01

Standard Future: -(으)ㄹ 거예요 (-(ŭ)l gŏ·ye·yo)

The most common way to say "will" or "going to" is by adding 거예요 (gŏ·ye·yogeo·ye·yogŏ·ye·yoke·yey·yo) to the future participle. This structure is derived from 것 (gŏtgeotgŏtket) - thing and the verb 이다 (i·dai·dai·dai·ta) - to be. It literally translates to "it is the thing that will [verb]."

This form is used for general plans, intentions, or predictions about future events.

Conjugation Rules

• Vowel stems: Add ㄹ 거예요 (l gŏ·ye·yol geo·ye·yol gŏ·ye·yol ke·yey·yo) to the verb stem.
• Consonant stems: Add 을 거예요 (ŭl gŏ·ye·yoeul geo·ye·yoŭl gŏ·ye·youl ke·yey·yo) to the verb stem.
• Stems ending in ㄹ (l): No change is needed; simply add 거예요 (gŏ·ye·yogeo·ye·yogŏ·ye·yoke·yey·yo).

• 저는 내일 학교에 갈 거예요.

  chŏ·nŭn næ·il hak·gyo·e kal gŏ·ye·yo.jeo·neun nae·il hak·gyo·e gal geo·ye·yo.chŏ·nŭn nae·il hak·gyo·e kal gŏ·ye·yo.ce·nun nay·il hak·kyo·ey kal ke·yey·yo.

  I will go to school tomorrow.

• 우리는 저녁을 먹을 거예요.

  u·ri·nŭn chŏ·nyŏ·gŭl mŏ·gŭl gŏ·ye·yo.u·ri·neun jeo·nyeo·geul meo·geul geo·ye·yo.u·ri·nŭn chŏ·nyŏ·gŭl mŏ·gŭl gŏ·ye·yo.u·li·nun ce·nye·kul me·kul ke·yey·yo.

  We are going to eat dinner.

• 누가 케이크를 만들 거예요?

  nu·ga kʰe·i·kʰŭ·rŭl man·dŭl gŏ·ye·yo?nu·ga ke·i·keu·reul man·deul geo·ye·yo?nu·ga k'e·i·k'ŭ·rŭl man·dŭl gŏ·ye·yo?nu·ka khey·i·khu·lul man·tul ke·yey·yo?

  Who will make the cake?

02

Commitment and Volition: -(으)ㄹ게요 (-(ŭ)l·ge·yo)

While -(으)ㄹ 거예요 (-(ŭ)l gŏ·ye·yo-(ŭ)l geo·ye·yo-(ŭ)l gŏ·ye·yo-(ŭ)l ke·yey·yo) is a statement of fact or plan, the ending -(으)ㄹ게요 (-(ŭ)l·ge·yo-(ŭ)l·ge·yo-(ŭ)l·ge·yo-(ŭ)l·key·yo) expresses a promise, a volunteer action, or a decision made in reaction to the listener. It corresponds to "I will (do it)" or "I'll (handle it)."

Usage Constraints

• It can only be used with the first person ("I"). You cannot say "He will do it" using this form.
• It implies a relationship with the listener (e.g., "I will do this for you" or "I will do this if that is the case").

• 제가 할게요.

  che·ga hal·ge·yo.je·ga hal·ge·yo.che·ga hal·ge·yo.cey·ka hal·key·yo.

  I will do it.

• 나중에 전화할게요.

  na·jung·e chŏn·hwa·hal·ge·yo.na·jung·e jeon·hwa·hal·ge·yo.na·jung·e chŏn·hwa·hal·ge·yo.na·cung·ey cen·hwa·hal·key·yo.

  I will call you later.

• 금방 갈게요!

  kŭm·bang kal·ge·yo!geum·bang gal·ge·yo!kŭm·bang kal·ge·yo!kum·pang kal·key·yo!

  I'll be there (go) right away!

03

The Future Participle as a Modifier

The base form -(으)ㄹ (-(ŭ)l) can be used directly before a noun to describe that noun in the future tense. This turns the verb into a descriptor meaning "noun to [verb]" or "noun that will [verb]."

• 읽을 책이 많아요.

  il·gŭl chʰæ·gi ma·na·yo.il·geul chae·gi ma·na·yo.il·gŭl ch'ae·gi ma·na·yo.il·kul chay·ki ma·na·yo.

  There are many books to read.

• 마실 물 주세요.

  ma·sil mul chu·se·yo.ma·sil mul ju·se·yo.ma·sil mul chu·se·yo.ma·sil mul cu·sey·yo.

  Please give me water to drink.

• 내일 할 일이 있어요.

  næ·il hal i·ri i·ssŏ·yo.nae·il hal i·ri i·sseo·yo.nae·il hal i·ri i·ssŏ·yo.nay·il hal i·li i·sse·yo.

  I have work to do tomorrow.

04

Summary of Differences

To choose the correct form, consider the intent:

• Use -(으)ㄹ 거예요 (-(ŭ)l gŏ·ye·yo-(ŭ)l geo·ye·yo-(ŭ)l gŏ·ye·yo-(ŭ)l ke·yey·yo) for general predictions, fixed plans, or third-person actions ("It will rain," "She will go").
• Use -(으)ㄹ게요 (-(ŭ)l·ge·yo-(ŭ)l·ge·yo-(ŭ)l·ge·yo-(ŭ)l·key·yo) for immediate personal commitments or offers to the person you are talking to ("I'll help you," "I'll leave now").

• 비가 올 거예요.

  pi·ga ol gŏ·ye·yo.bi·ga ol geo·ye·yo.pi·ga ol gŏ·ye·yo.pi·ka ol ke·yey·yo.

  It will rain. (Prediction)

• 우산을 가져갈게요.

  u·sa·nŭl ka·jyŏ·gal·ge·yo.u·sa·neul ga·jyeo·gal·ge·yo.u·sa·nŭl ka·jyŏ·gal·ge·yo.u·sa·nul ka·cye·kal·key·yo.

  I will take an umbrella. (Decision/Volition)