~ㄹ/을까(요) Korean grammar: “Do you think”

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The Korean grammatical structure "~ㄹ/을까(요)" is used to express thoughts, questions, or future plans. When a sentence is constructed with this pattern, there is usually an element of uncertainty or consideration about an upcoming action or event. 

For example, if someone says, "뭐 먹을까?" they are considering or planning a meal for the future. The use of "~ㄹ/을까(요)" is also often used in situations where someone is asking for advice or an opinion.

This structure can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the level of formality desired by the speaker. In Korean, "~ㄹ/을까(요)" provides a pronounced expressive freedom, allowing speakers to convey future questions or plans with the language sensitivity typical of everyday communication.

In the previous section, we learned about adding ~ ㄹ / 을까 봐 to sentences. We know that this sentence can end with the word 걱정 되다 or ​​end with ~ ㄹ 을까 봐. However, by placing another clause after ~ ㄹ / 을까 봐, we can create the meaning "I was worried about that, so…." As an example:

Do you think…: ~ ㄹ / 을까 (요)

We also learned in How to reminds someone with the word "생각 하다" (thinking) to indicate that we are thinking about something. As an example:

>> 이 노래 는 듣기 좋다고 생각해
      (I think this song is nice to hear)

We can use this same form in a question sentence to ask another person's opinion, for example:

>> 그 노래 가 듣기 좋다고 생각 해요?
      (Do you think the song is nice to hear?)
>> 그가 정직한 사람 이라고 생각 하세요

      (do you think he is an honest person)

In the previous lesson, we learned what the function ㄹ 까봐 is. Here we can see that they are similar. Therefore, look at some of the following differences:

How to use ~ㄹ / 을까 (요)

Based on these two comparisons, we can conclude that ~ ㄹ / 을까 (요) is used when asking someone whether something will happen in the future or not.

We can also ask other people's opinion in the past tense using 을까 (요). Check out the following examples:

>> 그녀 가 거짓말 을 했을 까요?
(Did you think that she lie?)

>> 그가 어제 진실 을 말했 을까요?
(Did you think he told the truth yesterday?)

Was thinking… / I was expecting: ~ ㄹ / 을까 하다

In the previous explanations, ~ ㄹ / 을까 (요) is placed at the end of the sentence. Now let us create a sentence by adding "~ ㄹ / 을까 하다" to the end of the phrase so that we get a new phrase which means "I am thinking of doing ...". 

For example:

>> 최선 의 방법 을 찾을 까 해요 

      (I'm trying to figure out the best way)

~ㄹ / 을까 하다 is often associated with ~ 아 / 어서 (because) to create the meaning "I'm thinking ... so ..."

>> 그 드레스 를 살까 해서 돈 을 모았어 

      (I saved up to buy the dress)

Read Also: Korean Sentence Structure

I was thinking/ I am thinking ~ ㄹ / 을까 보다

This word is usually used instead of ㄹ / 을까 하다. For more details, let's just look at the following example:

>> 나는 종이로 꽃을 만드는 방법을 까봐
      (I wonder how to make flowers out of paper)

>> 휴대폰에서 사진을 지우는 방법을 까봐요
      (I wonder how to erase photos from my phone)

The use of ~ ㄹ / 을까 보다 can be used at the end of a sentence, but it is not natural to attach ~ 아 / 어서 to it and use it mid-sentence. For example, 해서 must replace 봐서 in all of the following:

>> 그 여자 와 함께 밥 을 먹을까 봐서 점심 을 안 먹었 어요
      (I didn’t eat lunch because I was afraid to eat with her)

Wrapping up the discussion on Korean grammar ~ㄹ/을까(요), we can conclude that this structure provides the flexibility to express thoughts, considerations, or future plans in a polite and structured manner. 

With the phrases "Do you think" and "I am thinking of," using ~ㄹ/을까(요) provides a way to convey reflective questions or statements, bringing a sense of caution and elegance to communication. 

The ability to incorporate these structures in everyday conversation not only strengthens our Korean proficiency, but also enriches the way we convey our ideas and intentions in a culture that emphasizes politeness and harmonious social relations.

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