-(으)ㄹ까요?

Build it

When to use it

With we, it is a proposal that invites an answer: 같이 갈까요? Because it is a question rather than a decision, it is gentler than -(으)ㅂ시다 and safe with almost anyone.

With a third person or a situation, the same form becomes speculation: 내일 비가 올까요? (do you think it’ll rain?). Here you are not proposing anything, just thinking out loud and inviting an opinion.

Attachment is the standard rule, and ㄹ takes the short form: 만들다 gives 만들까요? For speculation about the past, the tense goes inside: 벌써 갔을까요?

How to attach it

In use

1. 우리 같이 점심 먹을까요?

   Shall we have lunch together?

2. 주말에 영화 볼까요?

   Shall we see a movie this weekend?

3. 제가 도와드릴까요?

   Shall I help you?

4. 내일 비가 올까요?

   Do you think it’ll rain tomorrow?

5. 그 사람이 벌써 집에 갔을까요?

   Do you think he’s already gone home?

6. 이 음식이 매울까요?

   Do you think this dish is spicy?

Compared with

• -(으)ㅂ시다

  A question leaves the decision open; -(으)ㅂ시다 announces it. Open with -(으)ㄹ까요? and switch once the other person agrees.

  갈까요? (shall we?)  /  갑시다. (let’s go)

• -(으)ㄹ래요?

  -(으)ㄹ래요? asks what the listener wants; -(으)ㄹ까요? asks what the two of you should do. The first is more casual and puts the choice entirely on them.

  같이 갈까요? (shall we go together?)  /  같이 갈래요? (do you want to come?)

• -겠-

  For speculation, -(으)ㄹ까요? asks the listener for their view; -겠어요 states your own on-the-spot impression.

  맛있을까요? (do you think it’s good?)  /  맛있겠어요. (that looks good)

Watch out

• 저녁을 만들을까요?

  저녁을 만들까요?

  Stems ending in ㄹ already supply it, so 을 is not added. Compare 만들 거예요 and 만들면, which behave the same way.

• 제가 먼저 갈까요. — as a decision

  제가 먼저 갈게요.

  This ending always asks. To announce what you have decided to do, use -(으)ㄹ게요.

• 그 사람이 벌써 갈까요?

  그 사람이 벌써 갔을까요?

  Speculation about something already finished needs the past inside the ending: -았/었을까요?

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