Future Tense in Korean: How to Say “Will” and “Going to”
How do you say “I will go tomorrow” or “I’m going to study Korean”? One of the most useful patterns for talking about the future in Korean is -(으)ㄹ 거예요.
In this beginner lesson, you will learn how to form it, use it with everyday verbs, ask questions about plans, and avoid common mistakes. You will also practise a short conversation and check your answers.
내일 한국어를 공부할 거예요.
I'm going to study Korean tomorrow.
주말에 뭐 할 거예요?
What are you going to do at the weekend?
1. What Does -(으)ㄹ 거예요 Mean?
-(으)ㄹ 거예요 is a common polite ending used for a future plan, intention, or prediction. Depending on context, English speakers may translate it as will, be going to, or probably will.
내일 비가 올 거예요.
It will probably rain tomorrow.
저녁에 친구를 만날 거예요.
I'm going to meet a friend this evening.
In Korean, context and time words such as 내일 (tomorrow) help listeners understand exactly when something will happen.
2. Form the Future Tense Step by Step
Start with the dictionary form, remove 다, then choose the ending according to the final sound of the verb stem.
가다 → 가 → 갈 거예요 (will go)
보다 → 보 → 볼 거예요 (will watch/see)
먹다 → 먹 → 먹을 거예요 (will eat)
읽다 → 읽 → 읽을 거예요 (will read)
살다 → 살 → 살 거예요 (will live)
만들다 → 만들 → 만들 거예요 (will make)
하다 → 할 거예요 is especially useful. For example, 공부하다 → 공부할 거예요 (will study).
Spelling tip: The space before 거예요 matters. Write 갈 거예요, not 갈거예요. Also write 거예요, not 거에요.
3. Six Future-Tense Verbs You Can Use Today
gal geoyeyo · will go
내일 학교에 갈 거예요.
I'm going to school tomorrow.
meogeul geoyeyo · will eat
점심에 비빔밥을 먹을 거예요.
I'm going to eat bibimbap for lunch.
bol geoyeyo · will watch
오늘 밤에 영화를 볼 거예요.
I'm going to watch a film tonight.
hal geoyeyo · will do
주말에 운동할 거예요.
I'm going to exercise at the weekend.
ilgeul geoyeyo · will read
잠자기 전에 책을 읽을 거예요.
I'm going to read a book before bed.
mandeul geoyeyo · will make
내일 저녁을 만들 거예요.
I'm going to make dinner tomorrow.
4. Future Time Words
Try placing one of these words at the beginning of your sentence.
모레 — the day after tomorrow
오늘 밤 — tonight
이번 주말 — this weekend
다음 주 — next week
다음 달 — next month
모레 친구를 만날 거예요.
I'm going to meet a friend the day after tomorrow.
다음 주에 한국어 시험을 볼 거예요.
I'm going to take a Korean test next week.
Usage note: 내일 and 모레 are commonly used without 에; 다음 주에 and 다음 달에 often include 에.
5. How to Ask About Someone's Plans
Use the same ending with question intonation.
내일 뭐 할 거예요?
What are you going to do tomorrow?
주말에 어디 갈 거예요?
Where are you going this weekend?
저녁에 뭐 먹을 거예요?
What are you going to eat for dinner?
In everyday conversation, Korean speakers often leave out 저는 or 당신은 when it is already clear who they mean.
6. Real Conversation: Making Weekend Plans
민지: 이번 주말에 뭐 할 거예요?
What are you going to do this weekend?
알렉스: 토요일에 친구를 만날 거예요.
I'm going to meet a friend on Saturday.
민지: 어디 갈 거예요?
Where are you going?
알렉스: 같이 영화를 볼 거예요. 민지 씨는요?
We're going to watch a film together. How about you, Minji?
민지: 저는 집에서 쉴 거예요.
I'm going to rest at home.
Speaking practice: Read each line aloud once, then cover the English and answer the questions about your own weekend.
7. Plans, Predictions, and Other Future Expressions
-(으)ㄹ 거예요 can describe both something you intend to do and something you expect to happen. Compare:
저는 내일 공부할 거예요. — I'm going to study tomorrow. (plan)
내일 추울 거예요. — It will probably be cold tomorrow. (prediction)
Other useful patterns have different nuances. -(으)려고 해요 often highlights intention; -(으)ㄹ게요 can express a decision or promise to someone; -(으)ㄹ까요? can make an offer or suggestion. They are not interchangeable in every context, so learn their full usage separately rather than translating all of them as “will”.
8. Common Beginner Mistakes
Incorrect: 내일 한국어 공부할거예요.
Correct: 내일 한국어 공부할 거예요.
Why: Write 거예요 as a separate word.
Incorrect: 먹ㄹ 거예요.
Correct: 먹을 거예요.
Why: 먹 ends in a consonant, so use 을 거예요.
Incorrect: 살을 거예요.
Correct: 살 거예요.
Why: A stem already ending in ㄹ does not take another 을.
Incorrect: 내일 갈 거에요.
Correct: 내일 갈 거예요.
Why: Standard spelling is 거예요.
9. Practice: Make Your Own Future Sentences
Try these questions before opening the answers.
- How do you say “I will eat tomorrow”?
- Change 보다 into the future tense.
- How do you say “What will you do at the weekend?”
- Change 살다 into the future tense.
- How do you say “I will study Korean next week”?
Show sample answers
- 내일 먹을 거예요.
- 볼 거예요.
- 주말에 뭐 할 거예요?
- 살 거예요.
- 다음 주에 한국어를 공부할 거예요.
Other natural sentences may also be correct.
10. Frequently Asked Questions
Is -(으)ㄹ 거예요 always a future tense?
It is commonly used to talk about future situations, but it can also express the speaker's expectation or assumption. Context is important.
What is the difference between 갈 거예요 and 가고 싶어요?
갈 거예요 means “I will go / I'm going to go.” 가고 싶어요 means “I want to go.” Wanting to do something does not necessarily mean you have decided to do it.
Can I use this pattern in polite conversation?
Yes. The 거예요 ending is commonly used in everyday polite conversation. More formal settings may call for different sentence endings.
How do I say “I will study” in Korean?
공부할 거예요. Add a time word to make it clearer: 내일 공부할 거예요.
Keep Learning Korean
To build longer Korean sentences, continue with these lessons:
- Past Tense in Korean: -았어요, -었어요 and 했어요
- How to Make Negative Sentences in Korean
- Korean Sentence Structure for Beginners
Final Takeaway
To talk about your future plans, start with a verb stem and add -(으)ㄹ 거예요. Remember the special ㄹ-ending stem pattern, add a time word, and practise one real conversation. Try writing three sentences about what you plan to do tomorrow.