Worry & Fear in Korean || Using -ㄹ까 봐

Q: Can -ㄹ까 봐 be used in both past and future situations?

Yes, it can. It’s commonly used to express concern about something that might happen or might have happened. Context and verb tense help clarify the time frame.

Q: What's the difference between -ㄹ까 봐 and -을지도 몰라요?

Both can express uncertainty, but -ㄹ까 봐 implies worry or a reason for taking action, while -을지도 몰라요 is more neutral and speculative.

Q: Is it polite to say -ㄹ까 봐요 in conversation?

Yes! Adding -요 makes it polite and appropriate for everyday use. For example: 늦을까 봐요 ("I’m afraid I might be late").

Q: Can I study Korean with LTL?

Yes! You can study with us in Seoul , in our Hongdae location , or online if you prefer learn from home. Contact us here if you have any questions.

Home B2 Expressing worry or fear in Korean

HOW TO USE -(으)ㄹ까 봐

When you’re worried something might happen—or already has—Korean uses the grammar pattern -(으)ㄹ까 봐.

It’s a handy way to express concern, fear, or a reason behind taking precautionary action.

EXPRESSING WORRY OR FEAR

The grammar is used to express worry or fear about a potential future event.

It conveys the idea that the speaker is concerned or anxious that something might happen, and the structure is typically used when the speaker is unsure but apprehensive about an outcome.

This structure often expresses personal concern, care for someone else, or an element of caution regarding a possible negative situation.

English Equivalents:

I’m worried that…
I’m afraid that…
I fear that…

PATTERN

Verb / Adjective + -(으)ㄹ까 봐

감기에 걸릴까 봐 걱정돼요.	I’m worried that I might catch a cold.
기침을 자주 해서 감기일까 봐 걱정이에요.	I cough often, so I’m worried it might be a cold.
두통이 심해서 약을 먹을까 봐요.	I have a severe headache, so I’m worried I might need to take medicine.
몸살이 나서 쉬어야 할까 봐요.	I have body aches, so I’m worried I might need to rest.

USEFUL VOCABULARY

감기 걸리다	to catch a cold
열나다	to have a fever
두통	headache
기침하다	to cough
병원에 가다	to go to the hospital
진료 받다	to receive medical treatment
약을 먹다	to take medicine
호흡이 가빠지다	to become short of breath
머리가 어지럽다	to feel dizzy
배탈이 나다	to have a stomachache
몸살이 나다	to have body aches
응급실	emergency room
주사 맞다	to get an injection

See some examples of these words in use:

갑자기 배가 아파서 병원에 갈까 봐요.	I’m worried I might need to go to the hospital because my stomach suddenly hurts.
기침을 자주 해서 다른 사람들에게 전염될까 봐 걱정돼요.	I’m worried that I might spread it to others because I cough often.