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HOW TO MAKE PREDICTIONS IN KOREAN
In Korean, assumptions and predictions are expressed using specific grammatical structures.
These structures help the speaker convey what they assume or predict based on available information.
Let’s see a few structures on how to do just that.
USING -겠 FOR STRONG ASSUMPTIONS
This structure is used for strong assumptions or predictions, similar to “must be” or “will probably.”
PATTERN
Verb / Adjective Stem + -겠
| 수업이 곧 끝나겠지? | The class will probably end soon, right? (informal) |
| 테사가 지금쯤 집에 도착했겠네. | Tessa must have arrived home by now. (informal) |
| 지금 밖이 많이 추워졌겠어요. | It must have gotten really cold outside by now. |
View More Examples:
| 오늘은 바람이 불겠어요, 우산을 챙기는 게 좋겠네요. | It will probably be windy today, better bring an umbrella. |
| 테사가 지금 집에 있겠죠? | Tessa must be at home right now, right? |
| 이 시간쯤이면 테사가 집에 도착했겠네요. | Tessa must have arrived home by now. |
| 내일은 비가 오겠어요. | It will probably rain tomorrow. |
USING -(으)ㄹ 것 같다 FOR SOFTER ASSUMPTIONS
On the contrary to the first grammar pattern, this one is used for softer assumptions or guesses, similar to “it seems” or “I think.”
PATTERN
Verb / Adjective + -(으)ㄹ 것 같다
| 강아지가 산책 가고 싶어 할 것 같아. | It seems like the dog wants to go for a walk. (informal) |
| 오늘 저녁에 친구들이 우리 집에 올 것 같아. | It seems like my friends will come to our house this evening. (informal) |
| 오늘은 날씨가 흐릴 것 같아요. | It seems like the weather will be cloudy today. |
View More Examples:
| 지은이가 지금 일본어 수업을 듣고 있을 것 같아요. | I think Ji-eun might be attending her Japanese class right now. |
| 밖에 비가 올 것 같아요. | It looks like it’s going to rain outside. |
| 이번 주에 새로운 고양이 장난감을 사야 할 것 같아요. | I think I’ll need to buy a new toy for the cat this week. |
USING -(으)ㄹ 것이다 FOR PREDICTIONS
This sentence structure is used to Indicate future predictions, similar to “will.”
PATTERN
Verb + -(으)ㄹ 것이다
| 나는 내일 고양이에게 밥을 줄 거야. | I will feed the cat tomorrow. (informal) |
| 우리는 내일 공원에서 놀 거야. | We will play at the park tomorrow. (informal) |
| 내일은 한국어 수업을 들을 거예요. | I will take my Korean class tomorrow. |
View More Examples:
| 테사는 지금쯤 집에 도착했을 거예요. | Tessa will have arrived home by now. |
| 선생님이 곧 수업을 시작할 거예요. | The teacher will start the class soon. |
| 다음 주에 새로운 책을 읽을 거예요. | Next week, I will read a new book. |
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FAQs
How to express assumptions in Korean?
Common structures include -ㄹ 것 같다 (it seems like), -나 보다 (it looks like), and -ㄹ 테니까 (I assume that).
How to express predictions in Korean?
Predictions are often expressed using -ㄹ 거예요 (will) or -겠어요 (I think).
What difference between assumption and prediction?
Yes, assumptions often rely on existing information or appearances, while predictions are more forward-looking and less certain.
Can I use -ㄹ 것 같다 for both assumptions and predictions?
Yes, -ㄹ 것 같다 can be used for both, depending on the context.
Where to find more lessons like this one?
You can visit our Korean Grammar Bank for more lessons on levels A1, A2, B1 and B2.
Can I learn Korean with LTL Language School?
Yes!
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