Future/Intention -(으)ㄹ 거예요 in Korean

Overview

The pattern -(으)ㄹ 거예요 expresses future tense and intention in Korean, a key CEFR A1 construction. It covers both "will do" (prediction) and "am going to do" (plan/intention). The form attaches to the verb stem and is followed by the copula 이다 in the appropriate speech level.

The choice between -ㄹ 거예요 and -을 거예요 depends on the stem: vowel stems take -ㄹ, consonant stems take -을. This pattern is one of the most frequently used future expressions and is appropriate for both casual plans and firm predictions.

At the A1 level, this is your primary tool for talking about the future. It works with all verbs and adjectives and combines naturally with question words to ask about future plans.

How It Works

Stem type	Pattern	Example
Vowel stem	-ㄹ 거예요	가- → 갈 거예요
Consonant stem	-을 거예요	먹- → 먹을 거예요
ㄹ stem	-ㄹ 거예요 (no change)	살- → 살 거예요
하다	할 거예요	공부할 거예요

Speech level	Ending
Polite	-(으)ㄹ 거예요
Casual	-(으)ㄹ 거야
Formal	-(으)ㄹ 겁니다

Examples in Context

Korean	Romanization	English	Note
갈 거예요.	gal geo-ye-yo	(I) will go.	vowel stem
먹을 거예요.	meo-geul geo-ye-yo	(I) will eat.	consonant stem
내일 비가 올 거예요.	nae-il bi-ga ol geo-ye-yo	It will rain tomorrow.	prediction
뭐 할 거예요?	mwo hal geo-ye-yo	What will you do?	question
주말에 쉴 거예요.	ju-ma-re swil geo-ye-yo	(I) will rest on the weekend.	plan
한국어를 배울 거예요.	han-gu-geo-reul bae-ul geo-ye-yo	(I) will learn Korean.	intention
안 갈 거예요.	an gal geo-ye-yo	(I) won't go.	negated future
언제 올 거예요?	eon-je ol geo-ye-yo	When will (you) come?	question
졸업 후에 일할 거예요.	jo-reop hu-e il-hal geo-ye-yo	(I) will work after graduation.	future plan

Common Mistakes

Using -을 with vowel stems

• Wrong: 가을 거예요
• Right: 갈 거예요
• Why: Vowel stems take -ㄹ (the ㄹ attaches as a batchim), not -을.

Confusing -(으)ㄹ 거예요 with -(으)ㄹ게요

• Wrong: Using them interchangeably
• Right: -(으)ㄹ 거예요 = plan/prediction; -(으)ㄹ게요 = promise/response to listener
• Why: 갈 거예요 means "I will go" (my plan), while 갈게요 means "I'll go" (promise to you, often as a response).

Overusing future tense for scheduled events

• Wrong: 내일 수업이 있을 거예요 (for a fixed schedule)
• Right: 내일 수업이 있어요 (present tense for schedules)
• Why: Korean often uses present tense for scheduled future events, similar to English "class is tomorrow."

Usage Notes

In conversation, -(으)ㄹ 거예요 is the standard way to discuss plans and make predictions. For first person, it emphasizes personal intention. For third person, it expresses the speaker's prediction or expectation. The casual form -(으)ㄹ 거야 is extremely common among friends: 나 갈 거야 (I'm gonna go).

Practice Tips

• Describe your plans for tomorrow using this pattern: 내일 아침에 운동할 거예요. 점심에 친구를 만날 거예요.
• Practice asking and answering: 주말에 뭐 할 거예요? — 영화를 볼 거예요.
• Compare present and future statements to feel the difference: 지금 먹어요 (eating now) vs. 나중에 먹을 거예요 (will eat later).

Related Concepts

• Prerequisite: Polite Ending -아/어요 — the polite form is the base for this future pattern
• Next steps: Suggestion -(으)ㄹ까요 — use the future stem for suggestions and wondering