Phase 1: Introduction
안녕하세요! Hello, Daily Hangul family!
It’s your Senior Editor here. Let me paint a picture for you. You check your weather app, see a big sun icon for tomorrow, and you want to tell your Korean friend that the weather will be nice.
You confidently say: “내일은 날씨가 맑을 것입니다.” (Naeireun nalssiga malgeul geoshimnida.)
Suddenly, your friend looks at you with a confused smile and asks, “Are you auditioning to be a news anchor on KBS?” 🎤
Here’s the thing: While grammatically perfect, ending sentences with -을 것입니다 is incredibly formal. It sounds like a broadcast or a written report. In real life, Koreans rarely speak with 100% certainty about the future. We love to soften our words. Today, we are going to learn how to move from “reporting the news” to natural guessing and predicting like a local.
Phase 2: Deep Dive into Core Expressions
To sound like a real person and not a robot, we need to switch from “It will be” to “It seems like it will be.”
1. -(으)ㄹ 것 같아요 (I think it will… / It seems like…)
This is the MVP of Korean guessing. It softens your statement so you don’t sound arrogant or too stiff.
- Pronunciation: [-(eu)l geot gatayo]
- Sound Analogy: The ‘geot’ sounds like the English word ‘cut’ but starting with a soft ‘G’. The ‘ga’ in ‘gatayo’ flows quickly after.
- Meaning: Literally “It is like the thing that will happen.”
- Real Nuance: “I think…” or “It looks like…”
- Editor’s Insight: Koreans use this even when they are 99% sure. Why? Because saying “I am sure!” feels a bit too strong in our culture. It’s polite to leave a little room for error.
- Situation Check: ✅ Casual (with friends – drop the ‘yo’) / ✅ Polite (at work/strangers).
2. -겠네요 (I guess… / That must be…)
Use this when you see something right now and make an instant prediction.
- Pronunciation: [-genneyo]
- Sound Analogy: ‘gen’ sounds like ‘again‘.
- Meaning: “I guess that is the case.”
- Editor’s Insight: Use this for reaction. If your friend says, “I forgot my umbrella,” you can say “비 맞겠네요” (I guess you’ll get wet).
- Situation Check: ✅ Polite / ✅ Casual (remove ‘yo’).
Phase 3: Textbook vs. Real Life
Let’s see how to transform that stiffness into natural flow.
| Context | Textbook (News Anchor Mode) 🤖 | Real Korean (Daily Hangul Mode) ✨ |
|---|---|---|
| Sunny | 내일은 맑을 것입니다. (It will be clear.) |
내일 날씨 좋을 것 같아요. (I think the weather will be nice.) |
| Rain | 오후에 비가 올 것입니다. (Rain will come in the afternoon.) |
오후에 비 올 것 같아요. (Looks like rain in the afternoon.) |
| Reaction | 그렇다면 춥겠습니다. (In that case, it will be cold.) |
아, 그럼 춥겠네요! (Ah, then it must be cold!) |
💡 Pro Tip: In spoken Korean, we often drop the subject markers like ‘은/는’ or ‘이/가’. “내일 날씨 좋을 것 같아요” is more natural than “내일은 날씨가…”
Phase 4: Cultural Context & Manners
The Art of “Nunchi” (Eye Measure)
When predicting the weather or making plans, Koreans often use Nunchi. If someone suggests a picnic but you think it will rain, you don’t say “No, it will rain.” That’s too direct.
Instead, you use the expression we learned today: “내일 비 올 것 같은데요…” (It seems like it might rain tomorrow… with a trailing ending).
This gives the other person a chance to realize it themselves and change the plan. It saves face for everyone. Also, don’t forget to check “Fine Dust” (미세먼지) levels! Even if it’s sunny, high dust levels might mean you should stay indoors.
Phase 5: Roleplay Script
Situation: Min-ji (Korean) and Tom (Expat) are planning a weekend trip to the Han River.
Tom: 내일 한강 갈까요? 날씨가 맑을 것입니다.
(Shall we go to Hangang tomorrow? The weather will be clear.)
Min-ji: (Laughing) 맑을 것입니다? 뉴스 봐요?
(Will be clear? Are you watching the news?)
Tom: 아, 실수! 내일 날씨 좋을 것 같아요.
(Ah, my mistake! I think the weather will be good tomorrow.)
Min-ji: 글쎄요. 일기예보 봤는데, 오후에 비 올 것 같아요.
(Well. I saw the forecast, and it looks like it will rain in the afternoon.)
Tom: 정말요? 그럼 집에 있어야겠네요.
(Really? Then I guess we have to stay home.)
Phase 6: 10-Second Shadowing
Let’s practice the rhythm. Don’t read it flat! Give it a little “thoughtful” wave in your intonation.
Sentence: “Since it’s raining tomorrow, I think it will be a bit cold.”
KR: 내일은 / 비가 와서 / 좀 추울 것 같아요.
Rom: Naeireun / biga waseo / jom chu-ul geot gatayo.
- Focus: Pause after “Naeireun”. Stress the “Chu” in “Chu-ul”.
Phase 7: FAQ & Troubleshooting
- Q: Can I use
-을 것 같아요to my boss?- A: YES! It is very polite. In fact, saying “This plan will succeed” (성공할 것입니다) sounds arrogant. Saying “I think this plan will succeed” (성공할 것 같습니다) shows humility and caution. It is the preferred business language.
- Q: What if I am 100% sure?
- A: You can say “확실해요” (I am certain), but you can still add -을 것 같아요 to be soft. “확실할 것 같아요” (I think it is certain). Yes, it sounds contradictory in English, but it’s perfect Korean logic!
Phase 8: Wrap-up
Today’s One-Liner: Stop predicting the future like a prophet; start guessing like a humble friend using -(으)ㄹ 것 같아요.
Your Mission: Open your weather app right now. Look at tomorrow’s weather. Say out loud in Korean: “Tomorrow, [Rain/Sun/Snow] seems likely.” (내일 비/해/눈 올 것 같아요.)
Let’s Chat: What’s the weather like in your city today? Tell me in the comments using a “guessing” phrase!
Phase 9: Pop Quiz
1. Which sentence sounds most natural when talking to a friend?
a) 내일 비가 올 것입니다.
b) 내일 비 올 것 같아.
c) 내일 비 오십시오.
2. You see your friend wearing a T-shirt in winter. What is the best reaction?
a) 춥겠네요! (You must be cold!)
b) 춥습니다. (It is cold.)
c) 추운 날씨입니다. (It is cold weather.)
3. True or False:
Using “-(으)ㄹ 것 같아요” makes you sound unsure and unprofessional in a business meeting.
(Answers: 1. b, 2. a, 3. False – it makes you sound polite and prudent!)
