-(으)ㄹ 것 같다
looks like it will, I have a feeling
The future-facing half of the 것 같다 pair. Use it for what has not happened yet, or when your impression rests on very little.
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When to use it
Attachment is the standard rule, and a ㄹ stem adds nothing: 만들다 gives 만들 것 같아요.
The typical use is a prediction: 비가 올 것 같아요 (looks like rain). It also works for guesses about the present when the evidence is thin, and for polite declining: 내일은 좀 어려울 것 같아요 is how Koreans say no without saying no.
Against -(으)ㄹ 거예요, the difference is confidence. 갈 거예요 states your plan; 갈 것 같아요 says you expect to, without committing. Speakers use the second constantly to leave themselves room.
For a guess about something already finished, the past goes inside: 벌써 갔을 것 같아요.
How to attach it
| Stem type | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Ends in a vowel | -ㄹ 것 같다 | 오다 → 올 것 같아요 |
| Ends in a consonant | -을 것 같다 | 먹다 → 먹을 것 같아요 |
| Ends in ㄹ | nothing added | 만들다 → 만들 것 같아요 |
| Adjective | -(으)ㄹ 것 같다 | 춥다 → 추울 것 같아요 |
| Past guess | -았/었을 것 같다 | 갔을 것 같아요 |
| Already visible | -(으)ㄴ/는 것 같다 | 온 것 같아요 |
In use
하늘을 보니까 비가 올 것 같아요.
Looking at the sky, I think it’s going to rain.
내일은 좀 추울 것 같아요.
I think it’ll be a bit cold tomorrow.
죄송한데 내일은 좀 어려울 것 같아요.
Sorry, tomorrow might be a bit difficult for me.
이 음식은 매울 것 같아요.
I have a feeling this dish is spicy.
그 사람은 벌써 갔을 것 같아요.
I think he’s probably already left.
시간이 좀 걸릴 것 같은데 괜찮으세요?
It might take a while — is that alright?
Compared with
-(으)ㄴ/는 것 같다
-(으)ㄴ/는 reports on something you can already observe; -(으)ㄹ points forward or rests on a hunch.
비가 온 것 같아요. (the ground is wet) / 비가 올 것 같아요. (the sky is dark)
-(으)ㄹ 거예요
Same modifier, different closing. 거예요 asserts; 것 같아요 hedges. In practice, Koreans hedge often, and learners assert too much.
내일 갈 거예요. (I’m going) / 내일 갈 것 같아요. (I think I’ll go)
Declining politely
Korean rarely refuses outright. -(으)ㄹ 것 같다 turns a refusal into an impression, which is understood as a clear no.
못 가요. (I can’t go) / 좀 어려울 것 같아요. (it might be difficult)
Watch out
저녁을 만들을 것 같아요.
저녁을 만들 것 같아요.
A stem ending in ㄹ already supplies it, as with 만들 거예요 and 만들 수 있다.
그 사람은 벌써 갈 것 같아요. — meaning “he’s probably already gone”
그 사람은 벌써 갔을 것 같아요.
For a guess about a finished action, the past goes inside the modifier: -았/었을 것 같다.
밖에 비가 올 것 같아요. — when you can see the rain falling
밖에 비가 오는 것 같아요.
If it is happening in front of you, use -는 것 같다. -(으)ㄹ is for what has not happened yet.
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