TOPIK I · Level 1

-(으)ㄹ 거예요

will, be going to, probably

The everyday way to talk about plans and predictions. Built from the future modifier -(으)ㄹ plus 것이에요, which is why it looks longer than a tense ending.

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    가+-(으)ㄹ 거예요

    stemending

    When to use it

    With I or we, it states a plan: 내일 부산에 갈 거예요. With a third person or a general situation, the same form becomes a prediction: 내일은 추울 거예요 (it’ll be cold tomorrow). Nothing changes in the grammar; the subject decides how it lands.

    Attachment follows the standard consonant rule, with the usual ㄹ twist: a stem ending in ㄹ keeps it and adds nothing, so 만들다 gives 만들 거예요. Note also the spacing — 거 is a noun, so it stands apart from the verb.

    Two practical notes. It is pronounced [꺼예요] with a tensed consonant, though it is never written that way. And the spelling is 거예요, not 거에요 — a mistake so common that you will see it written wrongly by native speakers online.

    How to attach it

    Stem typeFormExample
    Ends in a vowel-ㄹ 거예요가다 → 갈 거예요
    Ends in a consonant-을 거예요먹다 → 먹을 거예요
    Ends in ㄹnothing added만들다 → 만들 거예요
    Formal-(으)ㄹ 겁니다갈 겁니다
    Past guess-았/었을 거예요벌써 갔을 거예요
    Spelling거예요, not 거에요pronounced [꺼예요]

    In use

    1. 이번 주말에 부산에 갈 거예요.

      I’m going to Busan this weekend.

    2. 아마 비가 올 거예요.

      It will probably rain.

    3. 친구가 곧 도착할 거예요.

      My friend will arrive soon.

    4. 내년에 한국에서 공부할 거예요.

      I’m going to study in Korea next year.

    5. 그 영화는 재미있을 거예요.

      That film is probably good.

    6. 주말에는 집에 있을 거예요.

      I’ll be at home at the weekend.

    Compared with

    • -겠-

      -겠- is formal and declarative, or an on-the-spot guess. -(으)ㄹ 거예요 is the neutral, everyday choice for plans.

      제가 하겠습니다. (I volunteer, formally)  /  제가 할 거예요. (that’s what I plan to do)

    • -(으)ㄹ게요

      -(으)ㄹ게요 makes a promise to the person you are speaking to and adjusts to them. -(으)ㄹ 거예요 states a plan already fixed, regardless of the listener.

      제가 도와줄게요. (I’ll help you)  /  저는 집에 갈 거예요. (I’m going home)

    • -아요/어요

      For a scheduled event, the plain present is enough and sounds more settled. Adding -(으)ㄹ 거예요 shifts it toward intention.

      내일 시험이 있어요. (there’s an exam tomorrow)  /  내일 공부할 거예요. (I intend to study)

    Watch out

    • 저녁을 만들을 거예요.

      저녁을 만들 거예요.

      A stem ending in ㄹ already supplies it, so 을 is not added. The same applies to 살 거예요, 알 거예요, 놀 거예요.

    • 내일 학교에 갈 거에요.

      내일 학교에 갈 거예요.

      거 + 이에요 contracts to 거예요. 거에요 is a spelling error, though a widespread one.

    • 그 사람은 벌써 갈 거예요. — meaning “he’s probably already gone”

      그 사람은 벌써 갔을 거예요.

      To guess about something already finished, the past marker goes inside: -았/었을 거예요.

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