What are you going to do tomorrow? Will you study Korean this weekend? Do you think it will rain next week?
To talk about future plans, intentions, and predictions, you need the Korean future tense.
One of the most useful Korean grammar patterns is -(으)ㄹ 거예요.
You can use it to talk about what you are going to do or what you think will happen.
For example:
가요 → 갈 거예요
Go / Am going → Will go / Am going to go
🔊 Listen: 가요
🔊 Listen: 갈 거예요
먹어요 → 먹을 거예요
Eat / Am eating → Will eat / Am going to eat
🔊 Listen: 먹어요
🔊 Listen: 먹을 거예요
공부해요 → 공부할 거예요
Study / Am studying → Will study / Am going to study
🔊 Listen: 공부해요
🔊 Listen: 공부할 거예요
Once you understand this pattern, you can talk about tomorrow’s plans, upcoming trips, weekend activities, and future expectations.
In this beginner-friendly guide, you’ll learn Korean future tense conjugation, including regular and irregular verbs, natural question patterns, predictions, everyday conversations, and listening exercises.
By the end, you’ll be able to create your own sentences about the future.
Level: Beginner–Lower Intermediate (A1–A2)
Study time: Approximately 25–35 minutes
What you’ll learn: -(으)ㄹ 거예요 conjugation, plans versus predictions, future-time expressions, irregular verbs, negative sentences, questions, listening practice, and speaking exercises.
How to study: Read the present-tense form first, predict its future form, listen to each recording separately, and practice saying the future sentence without looking at the answer.
Table of Contents
- 1. What Is the Korean Future Tense?
- 2. Korean Future Tense Rule 1: Stems Without Batchim
- 3. Korean Future Tense Rule 2: Stems Ending in a Consonant
- 4. Special Rule: Verbs Ending in ㄹ
- 5. Korean Future Tense with 하다 Verbs
- 6. Important Irregular Korean Future Tense Conjugations
- 7. How to Use Korean Future Tense for Plans and Predictions
- 8. Present, Past, and Future Tense in Korean
- 9. Future-Time Vocabulary: Tomorrow, Next Week, and Next Year
- 10. How to Ask Questions About Future Plans
- 11. How to Make Negative Future-Tense Sentences
- 12. -(으)ㄹ 거예요 vs. -(으)ㄹ게요: What’s the Difference?
- 13. Real-Life Korean Future-Tense Conversations
- 14. Korean Future Tense Listening Quiz
- 15. Korean Future Tense Conjugation Quiz
- 16. Common Mistakes with Korean Future Tense
- 17. Build Your Own Korean Future-Tense Sentences
- 18. Frequently Asked Questions About Korean Future Tense
- Final Review: Master Korean Future Tense -(으)ㄹ 거예요
1. What Is the Korean Future Tense?
The Korean future tense is commonly taught using the grammar pattern -(으)ㄹ 거예요.
This construction is extremely useful in everyday conversation.
It can express:
- A future plan or intention
- An expected future event
- A prediction or assumption, depending on context
Talking About a Plan
내일 한국어를 공부할 거예요.
“I’m going to study Korean tomorrow.”
🔊 Listen: 내일 한국어를 공부할 거예요.
Here, the speaker describes a planned future action.
Talking About a Prediction
내일 비가 올 거예요.
“It will probably rain tomorrow.”
🔊 Listen: 내일 비가 올 거예요.
Here, the speaker predicts a future event.
Talking About an Expectation
시험이 어려울 거예요.
“The exam will probably be difficult.”
🔊 Listen: 시험이 어려울 거예요.
This sentence expresses an expectation rather than a personal plan.
Important: It Doesn’t Always Mean a Firm Promise
The same form can express different degrees of certainty.
For example:
내일 갈 거예요.
“I’ll go tomorrow.” / “I’m going tomorrow.”
🔊 Listen: 내일 갈 거예요.
Depending on the situation, it may describe a plan, an intention, or an expected future event.
Avoid translating every sentence mechanically as “will.”
The Basic Pattern
Verb or adjective stem + -(으)ㄹ 거예요
The choice between ㄹ and 을 depends on how the stem ends.
Let’s learn the rules step by step.
2. Korean Future Tense Rule 1: Stems Without Batchim
If a verb or adjective stem ends in a vowel, add:
-ㄹ 거예요
You attach ㄹ to the final syllable of the stem.
Example 1: 가다
Dictionary form: 가다 (to go)
Stem: 가-
가 + ㄹ 거예요 → 갈 거예요
가다 → 갈 거예요
“To go → Will go”
🔊 Listen: 갈 거예요
Example 2: 보다
Dictionary form: 보다 (to see/watch)
Stem: 보-
보 + ㄹ 거예요 → 볼 거예요
보다 → 볼 거예요
“To watch → Will watch”
🔊 Listen: 볼 거예요
Example 3: 마시다
Dictionary form: 마시다 (to drink)
Stem: 마시-
마시 + ㄹ 거예요 → 마실 거예요
마시다 → 마실 거예요
“To drink → Will drink”
🔊 Listen: 마실 거예요
Regular Vowel-Ending Verb Chart
| Dictionary form | English | Future form |
|---|---|---|
| 가다 | To go | 갈 거예요 |
| 오다 | To come | 올 거예요 |
| 보다 | To see/watch | 볼 거예요 |
| 사다 | To buy | 살 거예요 |
| 마시다 | To drink | 마실 거예요 |
| 배우다 | To learn | 배울 거예요 |
| 쉬다 | To rest | 쉴 거예요 |
| 자다 | To sleep | 잘 거예요 |
| 기다리다 | To wait | 기다릴 거예요 |
| 만나다 | To meet | 만날 거예요 |
Listen to All Ten Future Forms
🔊 Listen: 갈 거예요
🔊 Listen: 올 거예요
🔊 Listen: 볼 거예요
🔊 Listen: 살 거예요
🔊 Listen: 마실 거예요
🔊 Listen: 배울 거예요
🔊 Listen: 쉴 거예요
🔊 Listen: 잘 거예요
🔊 Listen: 기다릴 거예요
🔊 Listen: 만날 거예요
Practice in Complete Sentences
내일 친구를 만날 거예요.
“I’m going to meet a friend tomorrow.”
🔊 Listen: 내일 친구를 만날 거예요.
주말에 영화를 볼 거예요.
“I’m going to watch a movie this weekend.”
🔊 Listen: 주말에 영화를 볼 거예요.
오늘 밤에 일찍 잘 거예요.
“I’m going to sleep early tonight.”
🔊 Listen: 오늘 밤에 일찍 잘 거예요.
다음 달에 한국에 갈 거예요.
“I’m going to Korea next month.”
🔊 Listen: 다음 달에 한국에 갈 거예요.
Key point: If the stem ends in a vowel, the future marker generally adds ㄹ to that final syllable.
3. Korean Future Tense Rule 2: Stems Ending in a Consonant
If the stem ends in a consonant other than ㄹ, the future form generally uses:
-을 거예요
Example 1: 먹다
Dictionary form: 먹다 (to eat)
Stem: 먹-
먹 + 을 거예요 → 먹을 거예요
먹다 → 먹을 거예요
“To eat → Will eat”
🔊 Listen: 먹을 거예요
Example 2: 읽다
Dictionary form: 읽다 (to read)
Stem: 읽-
읽 + 을 거예요 → 읽을 거예요
읽다 → 읽을 거예요
“To read → Will read”
🔊 Listen: 읽을 거예요
Example 3: 입다
Dictionary form: 입다 (to wear)
Stem: 입-
입 + 을 거예요 → 입을 거예요
입다 → 입을 거예요
“To wear → Will wear”
🔊 Listen: 입을 거예요
Common Consonant-Ending Verb Chart
| Dictionary form | English | Future form |
|---|---|---|
| 먹다 | To eat | 먹을 거예요 |
| 읽다 | To read | 읽을 거예요 |
| 입다 | To wear | 입을 거예요 |
| 찾다 | To find | 찾을 거예요 |
| 받다 | To receive | 받을 거예요 |
| 앉다 | To sit | 앉을 거예요 |
| 웃다 | To laugh | 웃을 거예요 |
| 닫다 | To close | 닫을 거예요 |
| 씻다 | To wash | 씻을 거예요 |
| 만들다 | To make | 만들 거예요 |
Notice that 만들다 ends in ㄹ and follows the ㄹ-ending rule explained in the next section.
Listen to the Future Forms
🔊 Listen: 먹을 거예요
🔊 Listen: 읽을 거예요
🔊 Listen: 입을 거예요
🔊 Listen: 찾을 거예요
🔊 Listen: 받을 거예요
🔊 Listen: 앉을 거예요
🔊 Listen: 웃을 거예요
🔊 Listen: 닫을 거예요
🔊 Listen: 씻을 거예요
🔊 Listen: 만들 거예요
Complete Sentence Examples
저녁에 김치찌개를 먹을 거예요.
“I’m going to eat kimchi stew for dinner.”
🔊 Listen: 저녁에 김치찌개를 먹을 거예요.
오늘 밤에 책을 읽을 거예요.
“I’m going to read a book tonight.”
🔊 Listen: 오늘 밤에 책을 읽을 거예요.
내일 새 옷을 입을 거예요.
“I’m going to wear new clothes tomorrow.”
🔊 Listen: 내일 새 옷을 입을 거예요.
집에서 저녁을 만들 거예요.
“I’m going to make dinner at home.”
🔊 Listen: 집에서 저녁을 만들 거예요.
Important: Whether you use ㄹ or 을 depends on the dictionary stem, not simply on the final sound of the present-tense form.
4. Special Rule: Verbs Ending in ㄹ
If the stem already ends in ㄹ, you generally do not add another ㄹ or 을 before 거예요.
Example 1: 살다
Dictionary form: 살다 (to live)
Stem: 살-
살다 → 살 거예요
“To live → Will live”
🔊 Listen: 살 거예요
Example 2: 만들다
Dictionary form: 만들다 (to make)
Stem: 만들-
만들다 → 만들 거예요
“To make → Will make”
🔊 Listen: 만들 거예요
Example 3: 놀다
Dictionary form: 놀다 (to play / spend time socially)
Stem: 놀-
놀다 → 놀 거예요
“To play / hang out → Will play / hang out”
🔊 Listen: 놀 거예요
ㄹ-Ending Stem Chart
| Dictionary form | Future form |
|---|---|
| 살다 | 살 거예요 |
| 놀다 | 놀 거예요 |
| 만들다 | 만들 거예요 |
| 팔다 | 팔 거예요 |
| 열다 | 열 거예요 |
| 알다 | 알 거예요 |
Listen and Repeat
🔊 Listen: 살 거예요
🔊 Listen: 놀 거예요
🔊 Listen: 만들 거예요
🔊 Listen: 팔 거예요
🔊 Listen: 열 거예요
🔊 Listen: 알 거예요
Example Sentence
다음 주에 친구들과 놀 거예요.
“I’m going to hang out with my friends next week.”
🔊 Listen: 다음 주에 친구들과 놀 거예요.
이번 주말에 케이크를 만들 거예요.
“I’m going to make a cake this weekend.”
🔊 Listen: 이번 주말에 케이크를 만들 거예요.
Tip: Don’t write 만들을 거예요. The correct form is 만들 거예요.
5. Korean Future Tense with 하다 Verbs
Many useful Korean verbs end in 하다.
The future form is:
하다 → 할 거예요
This makes it easy to talk about everyday activities.
Essential 하다 Verb Conjugation
| Dictionary form | English | Future form |
|---|---|---|
| 공부하다 | To study | 공부할 거예요 |
| 일하다 | To work | 일할 거예요 |
| 운동하다 | To exercise | 운동할 거예요 |
| 요리하다 | To cook | 요리할 거예요 |
| 청소하다 | To clean | 청소할 거예요 |
| 전화하다 | To call | 전화할 거예요 |
| 쇼핑하다 | To shop | 쇼핑할 거예요 |
| 여행하다 | To travel | 여행할 거예요 |
| 시작하다 | To start | 시작할 거예요 |
| 연습하다 | To practice | 연습할 거예요 |
Listen to the Future Forms
🔊 Listen: 공부할 거예요
🔊 Listen: 일할 거예요
🔊 Listen: 운동할 거예요
🔊 Listen: 요리할 거예요
🔊 Listen: 청소할 거예요
🔊 Listen: 전화할 거예요
🔊 Listen: 쇼핑할 거예요
🔊 Listen: 여행할 거예요
🔊 Listen: 시작할 거예요
🔊 Listen: 연습할 거예요
Present vs. Future Comparison
공부해요 → 공부할 거예요
🔊 Listen: 공부해요
🔊 Listen: 공부할 거예요
운동해요 → 운동할 거예요
🔊 Listen: 운동해요
🔊 Listen: 운동할 거예요
일해요 → 일할 거예요
🔊 Listen: 일해요
🔊 Listen: 일할 거예요
Real-Life Sentences
내일 한국어를 공부할 거예요.
“I’ll study Korean tomorrow.”
🔊 Listen: 내일 한국어를 공부할 거예요.
퇴근하고 운동할 거예요.
“I’m going to exercise after work.”
🔊 Listen: 퇴근하고 운동할 거예요.
주말에 방을 청소할 거예요.
“I’m going to clean my room over the weekend.”
🔊 Listen: 주말에 방을 청소할 거예요.
오늘 저녁에 친구에게 전화할 거예요.
“I’m going to call my friend this evening.”
🔊 Listen: 오늘 저녁에 친구에게 전화할 거예요.
6. Important Irregular Korean Future Tense Conjugations
Some Korean verbs and adjectives change their stems before the future ending.
These forms are important because many of the most useful Korean verbs are irregular.
ㄷ Irregular: 듣다, 걷다, 묻다
Some stems ending in ㄷ change ㄷ to ㄹ before a vowel-starting ending.
듣다 → 들을 거예요
“To listen → Will listen”
🔊 Listen: 들을 거예요
걷다 → 걸을 거예요
“To walk → Will walk”
🔊 Listen: 걸을 거예요
묻다 → 물을 거예요
“To ask → Will ask”
🔊 Listen: 물을 거예요
Be careful: 묻다 can also mean “to bury,” and that verb follows a different conjugation pattern.
Not every ㄷ-ending verb is irregular.
For example:
받다 → 받을 거예요
“To receive → Will receive”
🔊 Listen: 받을 거예요
ㅂ Irregular: 춥다, 덥다, 돕다
Some stems ending in ㅂ change before endings beginning with a vowel.
춥다 → 추울 거예요
“To be cold → Will be cold”
🔊 Listen: 추울 거예요
덥다 → 더울 거예요
“To be hot → Will be hot”
🔊 Listen: 더울 거예요
어렵다 → 어려울 거예요
“To be difficult → Will be difficult”
🔊 Listen: 어려울 거예요
돕다 → 도울 거예요
“To help → Will help”
🔊 Listen: 도울 거예요
Notice that 돕다 becomes 도울 거예요, even though its past-tense form is 도왔어요.
ㅅ Irregular: 짓다 and 낫다
Some stems ending in ㅅ lose ㅅ before a vowel-starting ending.
짓다 → 지을 거예요
“To build → Will build”
🔊 Listen: 지을 거예요
낫다 → 나을 거예요
“To recover/get better → Will recover/get better”
🔊 Listen: 나을 거예요
However, not all ㅅ-ending verbs are irregular.
웃다 → 웃을 거예요
“To laugh → Will laugh”
🔊 Listen: 웃을 거예요
르 Irregular: 모르다 and 부르다
Here’s an important difference from the present and past tense.
With -(으)ㄹ 거예요, common 르-irregular verbs do not undergo the extra-ㄹ change seen in forms such as 몰라요 or 몰랐어요.
Compare:
모르다 → 모를 거예요
“Not to know → Probably won’t know”
🔊 Listen: 모를 거예요
부르다 → 부를 거예요
“To call/sing → Will call/sing”
🔊 Listen: 부를 거예요
빠르다 → 빠를 거예요
“To be fast → Will be fast”
🔊 Listen: 빠를 거예요
ㅡ-Ending Verbs
Some verbs that drop ㅡ before -아/어요 keep the stem vowel before -(으)ㄹ 거예요.
Examples:
쓰다 → 쓸 거예요
“To write/use → Will write/use”
🔊 Listen: 쓸 거예요
바쁘다 → 바쁠 거예요
“To be busy → Will be busy”
🔊 Listen: 바쁠 거예요
예쁘다 → 예쁠 거예요
“To be pretty → Will be pretty”
🔊 Listen: 예쁠 거예요
Irregular Verb Review
| Dictionary form | Future form |
|---|---|
| 듣다 | 들을 거예요 |
| 걷다 | 걸을 거예요 |
| 묻다 (to ask) | 물을 거예요 |
| 춥다 | 추울 거예요 |
| 덥다 | 더울 거예요 |
| 돕다 | 도울 거예요 |
| 짓다 | 지을 거예요 |
| 낫다 | 나을 거예요 |
| 모르다 | 모를 거예요 |
| 부르다 | 부를 거예요 |
| 쓰다 | 쓸 거예요 |
| 바쁘다 | 바쁠 거예요 |
Learning tip: A verb that behaves irregularly with -아/어요 does not necessarily behave the same way with every other ending. Always learn the actual conjugation pattern.
7. How to Use Korean Future Tense for Plans and Predictions
The grammar pattern -(으)ㄹ 거예요 is used for more than simply saying what will happen.
Understanding the context helps you communicate more naturally.
Personal Plans and Intentions
When the speaker controls the action, the expression often describes a plan or intention.
내일 친구를 만날 거예요.
“I’m going to meet a friend tomorrow.”
🔊 Listen: 내일 친구를 만날 거예요.
이번 주말에 집에서 쉴 거예요.
“I’m going to rest at home this weekend.”
🔊 Listen: 이번 주말에 집에서 쉴 거예요.
다음 달에 제주도에 갈 거예요.
“I’m going to Jeju Island next month.”
🔊 Listen: 다음 달에 제주도에 갈 거예요.
Predictions About the Future
When discussing weather or other situations outside your control, the expression commonly indicates a prediction.
내일 눈이 올 거예요.
“It will probably snow tomorrow.”
🔊 Listen: 내일 눈이 올 거예요.
주말에는 사람이 많을 거예요.
“It will probably be crowded this weekend.”
🔊 Listen: 주말에는 사람이 많을 거예요.
그 영화는 재미있을 거예요.
“That movie will probably be interesting.”
🔊 Listen: 그 영화는 재미있을 거예요.
Predictions About a Present Situation
An important detail is that -(으)ㄹ 거예요 is not limited to future time.
In the right context, it can express a guess about a present situation.
For example:
지금 집에 있을 거예요.
“They’re probably at home now.”
🔊 Listen: 지금 집에 있을 거예요.
지금 바쁠 거예요.
“They’re probably busy now.”
🔊 Listen: 지금 바쁠 거예요.
The time word 지금 shows that these are guesses about the present, not events that will happen later.
Practice: Plan or Prediction?
Read each sentence and decide whether it mainly expresses a plan or a prediction.
| Sentence | Likely meaning |
|---|---|
| 내일 공부할 거예요. | Plan |
| 내일 비가 올 거예요. | Prediction |
| 주말에 친구를 만날 거예요. | Plan |
| 내일 날씨가 추울 거예요. | Prediction |
| 저녁에 요리할 거예요. | Plan |
Important: Context can change how a particular sentence is understood. These are natural interpretations, not rigid grammatical categories.
8. Present, Past, and Future Tense in Korean
Now let’s connect the Korean future tense with forms you’ve already learned.
Understanding all three forms makes it easier to describe daily activities and plans.
Three Tenses Side by Side
| Dictionary form | Present | Past | Future |
|---|---|---|---|
| 가다 | 가요 | 갔어요 | 갈 거예요 |
| 먹다 | 먹어요 | 먹었어요 | 먹을 거예요 |
| 보다 | 봐요 | 봤어요 | 볼 거예요 |
| 마시다 | 마셔요 | 마셨어요 | 마실 거예요 |
| 공부하다 | 공부해요 | 공부했어요 | 공부할 거예요 |
| 듣다 | 들어요 | 들었어요 | 들을 거예요 |
| 만들다 | 만들어요 | 만들었어요 | 만들 거예요 |
| 쉬다 | 쉬어요 | 쉬었어요 | 쉴 거예요 |
Listening Pair 1: 가요 vs. 갈 거예요
가요
🔊 Listen: 가요
갈 거예요
🔊 Listen: 갈 거예요
Listening Pair 2: 먹어요 vs. 먹을 거예요
먹어요
🔊 Listen: 먹어요
먹을 거예요
🔊 Listen: 먹을 거예요
Listening Pair 3: 공부해요 vs. 공부할 거예요
공부해요
🔊 Listen: 공부해요
공부할 거예요
🔊 Listen: 공부할 거예요
Listening Pair 4: 들어요 vs. 들을 거예요
들어요
🔊 Listen: 들어요
들을 거예요
🔊 Listen: 들을 거예요
Three Complete Sentences
오늘 한국어를 공부해요.
“I study Korean today.”
🔊 Listen: 오늘 한국어를 공부해요.
어제 한국어를 공부했어요.
“I studied Korean yesterday.”
🔊 Listen: 어제 한국어를 공부했어요.
내일 한국어를 공부할 거예요.
“I’ll study Korean tomorrow.”
🔊 Listen: 내일 한국어를 공부할 거예요.
What About the Present Tense for Future Plans?
Korean present-tense forms can also refer to scheduled or upcoming actions.
For example:
내일 서울에 가요.
“I’m going to Seoul tomorrow.”
🔊 Listen: 내일 서울에 가요.
This is completely natural, especially when the plan is already arranged.
Compare:
내일 서울에 갈 거예요.
“I’m going to go to Seoul tomorrow.”
🔊 Listen: 내일 서울에 갈 거예요.
Both refer to the future. The second makes the future-oriented plan or expectation more explicit.
For a closer comparison, review the related lesson:
Korean Past Tense: A/V-았/었어요 Conjugation Guide
9. Future-Time Vocabulary: Tomorrow, Next Week, and Next Year
To make Korean future-tense sentences more useful, learn common future-time expressions.
Essential Future-Time Words
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 내일 | Tomorrow |
| 모레 | The day after tomorrow |
| 오늘 밤 | Tonight |
| 내일 아침 | Tomorrow morning |
| 이번 주말 | This weekend |
| 다음 주 | Next week |
| 다음 달 | Next month |
| 내년 | Next year |
| 곧 | Soon |
| 나중에 | Later |
| 다음에 | Next time / later |
| 앞으로 | In the future / from now on |
Listen to Every Expression
🔊 Listen: 내일
🔊 Listen: 모레
🔊 Listen: 오늘 밤
🔊 Listen: 내일 아침
🔊 Listen: 이번 주말
🔊 Listen: 다음 주
🔊 Listen: 다음 달
🔊 Listen: 내년
🔊 Listen: 곧
🔊 Listen: 나중에
🔊 Listen: 다음에
🔊 Listen: 앞으로
Future-Time Expressions in Sentences
내일 아침에 운동할 거예요.
“I’m going to exercise tomorrow morning.”
🔊 Listen: 내일 아침에 운동할 거예요.
모레 친구를 만날 거예요.
“I’m going to meet a friend the day after tomorrow.”
🔊 Listen: 모레 친구를 만날 거예요.
다음 주에 시험을 볼 거예요.
“I’m going to take an exam next week.”
🔊 Listen: 다음 주에 시험을 볼 거예요.
다음 달에 한국으로 여행할 거예요.
“I’m going to travel to Korea next month.”
🔊 Listen: 다음 달에 한국으로 여행할 거예요.
내년에 새 직장을 구할 거예요.
“I’m going to find a new job next year.”
🔊 Listen: 내년에 새 직장을 구할 거예요.
How to Combine Dates and Times
You can be even more specific.
금요일 오후 여섯 시에 만날 거예요.
“We’re going to meet on Friday at 6 PM.”
🔊 Listen: 금요일 오후 여섯 시에 만날 거예요.
토요일 오전 아홉 시에 출발할 거예요.
“We’re going to leave on Saturday at 9 AM.”
🔊 Listen: 토요일 오전 아홉 시에 출발할 거예요.
If you need help reading weekdays and clock times, study this related guide:
10. How to Ask Questions About Future Plans
Korean future-tense questions are essential for everyday conversations.
You can use the same -(으)ㄹ 거예요 form with question intonation.
What Will You Do Tomorrow?
내일 뭐 할 거예요?
“What are you going to do tomorrow?”
🔊 Listen: 내일 뭐 할 거예요?
Possible answers:
집에서 쉴 거예요.
“I’m going to rest at home.”
🔊 Listen: 집에서 쉴 거예요.
친구를 만날 거예요.
“I’m going to meet a friend.”
🔊 Listen: 친구를 만날 거예요.
한국어를 공부할 거예요.
“I’m going to study Korean.”
🔊 Listen: 한국어를 공부할 거예요.
Where Are You Going?
어디에 갈 거예요?
“Where are you going to go?”
🔊 Listen: 어디에 갈 거예요?
서울에 갈 거예요.
“I’m going to Seoul.”
🔊 Listen: 서울에 갈 거예요.
What Will You Eat?
뭐 먹을 거예요?
“What are you going to eat?”
🔊 Listen: 뭐 먹을 거예요?
비빔밥을 먹을 거예요.
“I’m going to eat bibimbap.”
🔊 Listen: 비빔밥을 먹을 거예요.
When Are You Going to Leave?
언제 출발할 거예요?
“When are you going to leave?”
🔊 Listen: 언제 출발할 거예요?
내일 오전 열 시에 출발할 거예요.
“I’m going to leave tomorrow at 10 AM.”
🔊 Listen: 내일 오전 열 시에 출발할 거예요.
Who Are You Going to Meet?
누구를 만날 거예요?
“Who are you going to meet?”
🔊 Listen: 누구를 만날 거예요?
친구를 만날 거예요.
“I’m going to meet a friend.”
🔊 Listen: 친구를 만날 거예요.
Quick Speaking Drill
Read the following five questions and answer them about your own life.
- 내일 뭐 할 거예요?
- 주말에 어디에 갈 거예요?
- 저녁에 뭐 먹을 거예요?
- 다음 주에 누구를 만날 거예요?
- 내년에 무엇을 배울 거예요?
🔊 Listen: 내일 뭐 할 거예요?
🔊 Listen: 주말에 어디에 갈 거예요?
🔊 Listen: 저녁에 뭐 먹을 거예요?
🔊 Listen: 다음 주에 누구를 만날 거예요?
🔊 Listen: 내년에 무엇을 배울 거예요?
Try answering without translating your response word by word from English.
11. How to Make Negative Future-Tense Sentences
Sometimes you need to say what you will not do.
There are two especially useful negative patterns.
Pattern 1: 안 + Future Verb
안 + Verb-(으)ㄹ 거예요
For example:
내일 학교에 안 갈 거예요.
“I’m not going to school tomorrow.”
🔊 Listen: 내일 학교에 안 갈 거예요.
오늘 저녁에 커피를 안 마실 거예요.
“I’m not going to drink coffee this evening.”
🔊 Listen: 오늘 저녁에 커피를 안 마실 거예요.
Pattern 2: -지 않을 거예요
Verb/adjective stem + 지 않을 거예요
Examples:
내일 학교에 가지 않을 거예요.
“I won’t go to school tomorrow.”
🔊 Listen: 내일 학교에 가지 않을 거예요.
오늘 저녁에 커피를 마시지 않을 거예요.
“I won’t drink coffee this evening.”
🔊 Listen: 오늘 저녁에 커피를 마시지 않을 거예요.
Both patterns are grammatical.
The short form is especially common in everyday conversation.
Special Case: 하다 Verbs
With many noun + 하다 verbs, the short negative pattern is formed by placing 안 between the noun and 하다.
공부할 거예요 → 공부 안 할 거예요
🔊 Listen: 공부할 거예요
🔊 Listen: 공부 안 할 거예요
운동할 거예요 → 운동 안 할 거예요
🔊 Listen: 운동할 거예요
🔊 Listen: 운동 안 할 거예요
안 할 거예요 vs. 못 할 거예요
These expressions have different meanings.
안 할 거예요
“I won’t do it.” / “I’m not planning to do it.”
🔊 Listen: 안 할 거예요
못 할 거예요
“I won’t be able to do it.”
🔊 Listen: 못 할 거예요
The second usually indicates inability or circumstances preventing the action, rather than simply an intention not to do it.
Example Conversation
A: 내일 파티에 갈 거예요?
“Are you going to the party tomorrow?”
🔊 Listen: 내일 파티에 갈 거예요?
B: 아니요, 못 갈 거예요. 일이 있어요.
“No, I won’t be able to go. I have work.”
🔊 Listen: 아니요, 못 갈 거예요. 일이 있어요.
This is a useful everyday distinction.
12. -(으)ㄹ 거예요 vs. -(으)ㄹ게요: What’s the Difference?
This is one of the most valuable comparisons for Korean learners.
Both expressions can refer to the future, but they are not used in exactly the same way.
-(으)ㄹ 거예요: Plan or Prediction
This pattern can express a personal plan, intention, prediction, or expectation.
내일 공부할 거예요.
“I’m going to study tomorrow.”
🔊 Listen: 내일 공부할 거예요.
-(으)ㄹ게요: Speaker’s Decision or Commitment
-(으)ㄹ게요 often expresses the speaker’s own decision, intention, or commitment in relation to the listener.
제가 할게요.
“I’ll do it.”
🔊 Listen: 제가 할게요.
It is particularly useful when volunteering or responding to someone.
Compare These Sentences
제가 전화할 거예요.
“I’m going to call.”
🔊 Listen: 제가 전화할 거예요.
제가 전화할게요.
“I’ll call.” / “I’ll make the call.”
🔊 Listen: 제가 전화할게요.
The second can convey a decision or commitment made with the listener in mind.
Important Restriction
Unlike -(으)ㄹ 거예요, -(으)ㄹ게요 is not normally used to make neutral predictions about the weather or third-person events.
For example:
내일 비가 올 거예요.
“It will probably rain tomorrow.”
🔊 Listen: 내일 비가 올 거예요.
Do not substitute 올게요 here to mean a weather prediction.
Remember the Difference
| Pattern | Common function |
|---|---|
| -(으)ㄹ 거예요 | Future plan, prediction, or assumption |
| -(으)ㄹ게요 | Speaker’s decision or commitment to the listener |
This is not every nuance of the two expressions, but it’s an excellent beginner distinction.
13. Real-Life Korean Future-Tense Conversations
Let’s practice the grammar in situations you might experience in Korea.
Conversation 1: Weekend Plans
A: 이번 주말에 뭐 할 거예요?
“What are you going to do this weekend?”
🔊 Listen: 이번 주말에 뭐 할 거예요?
B: 친구를 만나서 영화를 볼 거예요.
“I’m going to meet a friend and watch a movie.”
🔊 Listen: 친구를 만나서 영화를 볼 거예요.
A: 무슨 영화를 볼 거예요?
“What movie are you going to watch?”
🔊 Listen: 무슨 영화를 볼 거예요?
B: 아직 안 정했어요.
“I haven’t decided yet.”
🔊 Listen: 아직 안 정했어요.
Conversation 2: Traveling to Korea
A: 언제 한국에 갈 거예요?
“When are you going to Korea?”
🔊 Listen: 언제 한국에 갈 거예요?
B: 다음 달에 갈 거예요.
“I’m going next month.”
🔊 Listen: 다음 달에 갈 거예요.
A: 한국에서 뭐 할 거예요?
“What are you going to do in Korea?”
🔊 Listen: 한국에서 뭐 할 거예요?
B: 서울을 구경하고 한국 음식을 많이 먹을 거예요.
“I’m going to explore Seoul and eat lots of Korean food.”
🔊 Listen: 서울을 구경하고 한국 음식을 많이 먹을 거예요.
Conversation 3: Korean Study Plans
A: 내년에 무엇을 배울 거예요?
“What are you going to learn next year?”
🔊 Listen: 내년에 무엇을 배울 거예요?
B: 한국어를 더 열심히 공부할 거예요.
“I’m going to study Korean harder.”
🔊 Listen: 한국어를 더 열심히 공부할 거예요.
A: 왜 한국어를 배울 거예요?
“Why are you going to learn Korean?”
🔊 Listen: 왜 한국어를 배울 거예요?
B: 한국에서 일하고 싶어요.
“I want to work in Korea.”
🔊 Listen: 한국에서 일하고 싶어요.
Conversation 4: Weather Prediction
A: 내일 날씨가 어떨 거예요?
“What do you think the weather will be like tomorrow?”
🔊 Listen: 내일 날씨가 어떨 거예요?
B: 아마 추울 거예요.
“It will probably be cold.”
🔊 Listen: 아마 추울 거예요.
A: 눈도 올 거예요?
“Do you think it will snow too?”
🔊 Listen: 눈도 올 거예요?
B: 네, 아마 눈이 올 거예요.
“Yes, it will probably snow.”
🔊 Listen: 네, 아마 눈이 올 거예요.
Conversation 5: Making Dinner Plans
A: 오늘 저녁에 뭐 먹을 거예요?
“What are you going to eat for dinner?”
🔊 Listen: 오늘 저녁에 뭐 먹을 거예요?
B: 집에서 파스타를 만들 거예요.
“I’m going to make pasta at home.”
🔊 Listen: 집에서 파스타를 만들 거예요.
A: 저도 먹어도 돼요?
“Can I have some too?”
🔊 Listen: 저도 먹어도 돼요?
B: 물론이죠. 많이 만들 거예요.
“Of course. I’m going to make plenty.”
🔊 Listen: 물론이죠. 많이 만들 거예요.
How to Practice the Conversations
First, listen to one question at a time.
Pause and try to predict the response before reading it.
Next, read both sides of the conversation aloud.
Finally, replace the activities, places, and times with your own information.
For example, replace “watch a movie” with “study Korean” or “go shopping.”
This helps you move beyond memorized dialogue.
14. Korean Future Tense Listening Quiz
Now test how well you can recognize future expressions.
Listen to each sentence before reading the choices whenever possible.
Question 1
🔊 Listen: 내일 학교에 갈 거예요.
What does the speaker mean?
A. I went to school yesterday.
B. I’m going to school tomorrow.
C. I go to school every day.
Question 2
🔊 Listen: 오늘 저녁에 밥을 먹을 거예요.
What is the future action?
A. Eating dinner
B. Going to work
C. Reading a book
Question 3
🔊 Listen: 내일 비가 올 거예요.
Is this mainly a plan or prediction?
A. Personal plan
B. Prediction
C. Past memory
Question 4
🔊 Listen: 제가 할게요.
What does the speaker most likely express?
A. A past action
B. A decision or commitment
C. A weather prediction
Question 5
🔊 Listen: 주말에 한국어를 공부할 거예요.
When will the speaker study Korean?
A. Yesterday
B. Over the weekend
C. Last year
Question 6
🔊 Listen: 내일은 바쁠 거예요.
What does the speaker expect?
A. Tomorrow will be busy.
B. Yesterday was busy.
C. Today was busy.
Question 7
🔊 Listen: 저는 파티에 못 갈 거예요.
What does the speaker mean?
A. They don’t like parties.
B. They won’t be able to go to the party.
C. They went to the party.
Question 8
🔊 Listen: 저는 집에서 쉴 거예요.
What is the speaker going to do?
A. Rest at home
B. Work at school
C. Go shopping
Listening Quiz Answer Key
1. B — Going tomorrow
갈 거예요 is a future-oriented form, and 내일 means tomorrow.
2. A — Eating dinner
먹을 거예요 expresses the future of 먹다.
3. B — Prediction
The speaker is predicting tomorrow’s weather.
4. B — Decision or commitment
제가 할게요 is a common way to volunteer or commit to doing something.
5. B — Over the weekend
주말에 means over the weekend.
6. A — Tomorrow will be busy
바쁠 거예요 expresses a future expectation here.
7. B — Won’t be able to go
못 갈 거예요 expresses expected inability.
8. A — Rest at home
쉴 거예요 is the future-oriented form of 쉬다.
15. Korean Future Tense Conjugation Quiz
Now let’s test your grammar knowledge.
Question 1
What is the correct future form of 가다?
A. 가을 거예요
B. 갈 거예요
C. 갔을 거예요
Question 2
What is the correct future form of 먹다?
A. 먹을 거예요
B. 먹ㄹ 거예요
C. 먹었을 거예요
Question 3
Which form is correct for 공부하다?
A. 공부하을 거예요
B. 공부했을 거예요
C. 공부할 거예요
Question 4
What is the correct future form of 만들다?
A. 만들을 거예요
B. 만들 거예요
C. 만들은 거예요
Question 5
What is the correct future form of 듣다?
A. 듣을 거예요
B. 들을 거예요
C. 듣ㄹ 거예요
Question 6
What is the correct future form of 춥다?
A. 춥을 거예요
B. 추웠을 거예요
C. 추울 거예요
Question 7
What is the correct future form of 돕다?
A. 도울 거예요
B. 도왔을 거예요
C. 돕을 거예요
Question 8
What is the correct future form of 모르다?
A. 몰랄 거예요
B. 모를 거예요
C. 모르을 거예요
Question 9
Which spelling is correct?
A. 먹을거예요
B. 먹을 거에요
C. 먹을 거예요
Question 10
Which sentence naturally expresses a decision to help someone?
A. 제가 도와줄게요.
B. 제가 도와줬어요.
C. 제가 도와줄 거였어요.
Conjugation Quiz Answer Key
1. B — 갈 거예요
가다 has a vowel-ending stem, so ㄹ is added.
2. A — 먹을 거예요
먹- ends in a consonant, so use 을.
3. C — 공부할 거예요
하다 becomes 할 거예요.
4. B — 만들 거예요
The stem already ends in ㄹ.
5. B — 들을 거예요
듣다 follows the ㄷ-irregular pattern before a vowel-starting ending.
6. C — 추울 거예요
춥다 follows the ㅂ-irregular pattern.
7. A — 도울 거예요
돕다 becomes 도울 거예요 with this ending.
8. B — 모를 거예요
모르다 takes the future form 모를 거예요.
9. C — 먹을 거예요
The standard spelling uses a space before 거예요, and the copular form is 예요.
10. A — 제가 도와줄게요.
-(으)ㄹ게요 naturally expresses a speaker’s decision or commitment in this context.
16. Common Mistakes with Korean Future Tense
Let’s review the errors that beginner learners often make.
Mistake 1: Incorrect Spacing
Incorrect:
먹을거예요
Correct:
먹을 거예요
🔊 Listen: 먹을 거예요
The word 거 is written separately from the preceding verb form.
Mistake 2: Writing 거에요 Instead of 거예요
Incorrect:
갈 거에요
Correct:
갈 거예요
🔊 Listen: 갈 거예요
The standard spelling is 거예요.
Mistake 3: Adding 을 to a Vowel-Ending Stem
Incorrect:
가을 거예요
Correct:
갈 거예요
🔊 Listen: 갈 거예요
가다 has a vowel-ending stem and takes ㄹ.
Mistake 4: Adding 을 After an ㄹ-Ending Stem
Incorrect:
만들을 거예요
Correct:
만들 거예요
🔊 Listen: 만들 거예요
The stem already ends in ㄹ.
Mistake 5: Forgetting Irregular Conjugation
Incorrect:
듣을 거예요
Correct:
들을 거예요
🔊 Listen: 들을 거예요
듣다 changes ㄷ to ㄹ before the ending.
Mistake 6: Using the Past Tense for a Future Plan
Incorrect for “I’m going to study tomorrow”:
내일 공부했어요.
Correct:
내일 공부할 거예요.
🔊 Listen: 내일 공부할 거예요.
공부했어요 describes a past action, while 공부할 거예요 is appropriate for a future plan.
Mistake 7: Thinking Every Future Sentence Needs -(으)ㄹ 거예요
Korean can use present-tense forms for scheduled future activities.
For example:
내일 친구를 만나요.
“I’m meeting a friend tomorrow.”
🔊 Listen: 내일 친구를 만나요.
This is also natural.
The future construction is useful, but it is not mandatory in every sentence about tomorrow.
Mistake 8: Confusing -(으)ㄹ 거예요 and -(으)ㄹ게요
내일 비가 올 거예요 is a natural prediction.
제가 할게요 is a natural offer or commitment.
Learn these expressions through realistic contexts rather than treating them as interchangeable English “will” forms.
17. Build Your Own Korean Future-Tense Sentences
Now that you understand the rules, let’s create sentences about your actual plans.
Exercise 1: Tomorrow’s Plan
Start with:
내일 ______ 거예요.
“Tomorrow, I’m going to…”
Example:
내일 한국어를 공부할 거예요.
“I’m going to study Korean tomorrow.”
🔊 Listen: 내일 한국어를 공부할 거예요.
Exercise 2: Weekend Plans
Start with:
이번 주말에 ______ 거예요.
“This weekend, I’m going to…”
Example:
이번 주말에 친구를 만날 거예요.
“I’m going to meet a friend this weekend.”
🔊 Listen: 이번 주말에 친구를 만날 거예요.
Exercise 3: Travel Plans
Start with:
다음 달에 ______ 거예요.
“Next month, I’m going to…”
Example:
다음 달에 부산으로 여행할 거예요.
“I’m going to travel to Busan next month.”
🔊 Listen: 다음 달에 부산으로 여행할 거예요.
Exercise 4: A Prediction
Start with:
내일 ______ 거예요.
“Tomorrow, it will probably…”
Example:
내일 날씨가 좋을 거예요.
“The weather will probably be nice tomorrow.”
🔊 Listen: 내일 날씨가 좋을 거예요.
Exercise 5: A Negative Plan
Start with:
내일 ______ 안 할 거예요.
“Tomorrow, I’m not going to…”
Example:
내일은 운동 안 할 거예요.
“I’m not going to exercise tomorrow.”
🔊 Listen: 내일은 운동 안 할 거예요.
Create a Three-Sentence Weekend Plan
Use these three questions:
토요일에 뭐 할 거예요?
“What are you going to do on Saturday?”
🔊 Listen: 토요일에 뭐 할 거예요?
일요일에 어디에 갈 거예요?
“Where are you going on Sunday?”
🔊 Listen: 일요일에 어디에 갈 거예요?
주말에 누구를 만날 거예요?
“Who are you going to meet over the weekend?”
🔊 Listen: 주말에 누구를 만날 거예요?
Write one answer for each question.
Then read your answers aloud without looking at an English translation.
18. Frequently Asked Questions About Korean Future Tense
How do you form the Korean future tense?
A common everyday polite future construction is -(으)ㄹ 거예요. Use -ㄹ 거예요 after vowel-ending stems, -을 거예요 after most consonant-ending stems, and -ㄹ-ending stems keep their existing ㄹ before 거예요.
What does -(으)ㄹ 거예요 mean?
It can express plans, intentions, predictions, expectations, or assumptions depending on context.
Is 갈 거예요 or 가을 거예요 correct?
갈 거예요 is correct.
🔊 Listen: 갈 거예요
What is the difference between -을 거예요 and -ㄹ 거예요?
The choice depends on the stem ending. They are forms of the same grammatical construction rather than two different future meanings.
Can Korean present tense describe the future?
Yes. A present-tense form can describe a scheduled future event when accompanied by a future-time expression or clear context.
Does -(으)ㄹ 거예요 only refer to the future?
No. It can also express a present-time assumption, such as 지금 집에 있을 거예요 (“They’re probably at home now”).
What is the difference between -(으)ㄹ 거예요 and -(으)ㄹ게요?
-(으)ㄹ 거예요 can express plans or predictions. -(으)ㄹ게요 commonly expresses the speaker’s decision or commitment toward the listener.
How do you say “I’m going to study Korean tomorrow”?
내일 한국어를 공부할 거예요.
🔊 Listen: 내일 한국어를 공부할 거예요.
How do you say “I won’t be able to go”?
못 갈 거예요.
🔊 Listen: 못 갈 거예요.
Is 거예요 one word?
Yes. 거예요 is written together, but it is separated by a space from the preceding -(으)ㄹ form.
For example:
갈 거예요
먹을 거예요
할 거예요
Final Review: Master Korean Future Tense -(으)ㄹ 거예요
You’ve now learned how to express future plans, predictions, and expectations using Korean.
Let’s review the most important rules.
Korean Future Tense Summary
| Stem type | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Vowel-ending stem | -ㄹ 거예요 | 가다 → 갈 거예요 |
| Consonant-ending stem (except ㄹ) | -을 거예요 | 먹다 → 먹을 거예요 |
| ㄹ-ending stem | Existing ㄹ + 거예요 | 만들다 → 만들 거예요 |
| 하다 verbs | 할 거예요 | 공부하다 → 공부할 거예요 |
| ㄷ irregular | ㄷ → ㄹ | 듣다 → 들을 거예요 |
| ㅂ irregular | Stem changes | 춥다 → 추울 거예요 |
| ㅅ irregular | ㅅ drops | 짓다 → 지을 거예요 |
Final Listening Review: Five Essential Comparisons
Pair 1 — Go
가요
🔊 Listen: 가요
갈 거예요
🔊 Listen: 갈 거예요
Pair 2 — Eat
먹어요
🔊 Listen: 먹어요
먹을 거예요
🔊 Listen: 먹을 거예요
Pair 3 — Study
공부해요
🔊 Listen: 공부해요
공부할 거예요
🔊 Listen: 공부할 거예요
Pair 4 — Listen
들어요
🔊 Listen: 들어요
들을 거예요
🔊 Listen: 들을 거예요
Pair 5 — Be busy
바빠요
🔊 Listen: 바빠요
바쁠 거예요
🔊 Listen: 바쁠 거예요
Final Challenge: Talk About Your Future in Korean
Write five sentences about your future.
Use:
- One plan for tomorrow.
- One activity for the weekend.
- One plan for next month.
- One prediction about the weather or another situation.
- One negative future sentence.
Then read the sentences aloud, listen to the examples again, and practice until you can say your plans without looking at the English translations.
Learning the Korean future tense is more than memorizing a grammar ending.
It’s a practical way to talk about your goals, make plans with friends, describe upcoming events, and express what you expect to happen.
The next time someone asks 내일 뭐 할 거예요?, you’ll be ready to answer naturally.