Korean Lessons ᚛ Level 3 - Korean for Beginners #2 (Lessons 61 to 90) ᚛ Lesson 75 - Future and supposition in Korean [-겠다]

Future and supposition in Korean [-겠다]

In this course: 겠다 / 겠어 / 겠어요 / 겠습니다

Use of -겠다

In Korean, the -겠다 structure is a form that is commonly used in the two following cases:

To express a supposition
To express the intention of acting in the future

The -겠다 structure attaches itself to the verb in the following manner:
[Stem]겠다

This new word with -겠다 that was just obtained can only be conjugated with present-tense endings, that is -겠어 in the casual style, -겠어요 in the polite style, and -겠습니다 in the formal style.

Express a supposition

The verbal form with -겠다 is especially useful for expressing supposition, just like the conditional in English or expressions such as "I think that …", "I suppose that …", "I bet that …", etc.

비가 와서 바닥이 미끄럽겠어요.
→ Because it rained, the ground must be slippery.

철수는 엄마한테 혼나서 속상하겠어.
→ Because Cheolsu argued with Mom, he must be sad.

비가 많이 와서 집이 습하겠어요.
→ Because it rained a lot, the house must be humid.

날씨가 좋아서 빨래가 금방 마르겠어.
→ Because it's nice weather, the laundry will (probably) dry quickly.

아기는 널 닮아서 똑똑하겠어.
→ This baby looks like you, he's going to be smart.

Express intention

The -겠다 structure is also used to express the intention to perform an action in the future, in a manner similar to the structure with -(으)ㄹ게(요), which was seen in a previous chapter. This form is used especially in formal contexts, but it can also be used in casual and polite scenarios.

이메일 답장하겠습니다.
→ I am going to respond to your email.

준비하고 그 곳으로 출발하겠습니다.
→ I am going to get ready and leave for this place.

곧 전화 드리겠습니다.
→ I will call you soon.

꼭 살을 빼겠어.
→ I am going to lose weight for sure.

다음 시험에 꼭 통과하겠어요.
→ I am going to pass my next exam at any cost.