Korean Lessons ᚛ Level 5 - Intermediate Korean #2 (Lessons 121 to 150) ᚛ Lesson 123 - Future tense and probability words [아마도] [어쩌면] [틀림없이]
Future tense and probability words [아마도] [어쩌면] [틀림없이]
You should know that in Korean, the classic future tense using the modifier -(으)ㄹ carries a value of probability. Indeed, since a future event cannot be 100% certain until it has happened, using the future tense can indicate the probable state of an action, even if the action may be taking place in the present (with a present stem) or may have taken place in the past (with a past stem).
Of course, many other forms can be used to express a possibility, such as the future tense with -겠다, the -(으)ㄴ/는/(으)ㄹ 것 같다 form, or the structures seen in the last two lessons: -(으)ㄹ 수도 있다 and -지도 모르다.
Alongside these, different words can be used to indicate whether the probability is high or low.
아마 and 아마도
아마 and 아마도 express a certain probability, neither strong nor weak, which will vary depending on the structure used with the verb. We could translate them as "maybe", "perhaps" or "probably".
아마 의사일 거예요.
→ He is probably a doctor.
아마 의사였을 거예요.
→ He was probably a doctor.
아마도 재현이는 아직 널 좋아할 거야.
→ Jaehyeon probably still likes you.
아마 이미 저를 잊으셨을 거예요.
→ He has probably already forgotten me.
아마 이 느낌 사랑이겠지.
→ Maybe this feeling is love.
어쩌면
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틀림없이
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Exercises
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