-(으)ㄹ게요 vs -(으)ㄹ 거예요: Key Difference
Master -(으)ㄹ게요 vs -(으)ㄹ 거예요 with a decision tree, minimal pairs, and workplace-safe examples—learn
A clean offer/volunteer vs plan/prediction split, with a decision tree and minimal pairs that prevent the classic mix-up.
This mix-up shows up constantly in real life: you’re on KakaoTalk with coworkers and you want to sound helpful, but you accidentally sound like you’re announcing a plan. The fix is simpler than most textbooks make it—think “response to the other person” vs “statement about the future.”
Quick answer
-(으)ㄹ게요-(eu)ㄹgeyo is a speaker’s offer/promise in response to someone (often with implied permission), while -(으)ㄹ 거예요-(eu)ㄹ geoyeyo is a plan or prediction about the future.
Quick cheat sheet
Expressions in this post
When it’s the right choice
Use -(으)ㄹ게요-(eu)ㄹgeyo when your sentence is tied to the listener’s situation: you’re volunteering, accepting a request, or making a quick promise that feels like a reaction.
Typical situations:
- Someone asked you to do something, and you’re saying “Okay, I’ll do it.”
- You’re offering help (“I’ll take care of it”).
- You’re choosing an action on the spot, with a “leave it to me” vibe.
A classic trap: learners use it for their private plans (“Tonight I’ll study Korean”), but that often feels odd because there’s no listener-trigger.
Minimal pairs (vs -(으)ㄹ 거예요)
-
제가 전화할게요.jega jeonhwahalgeyo. EN: I’ll call (as a response / I’ll handle it). vs제가 전화할 거예요.jega jeonhwahal geoyeyo. EN: I’m going to call (my plan). -
그럼 제가 준비할게요.geureom jega junbihalgeyo. EN: Then I’ll prepare it (I’ll take it). vs그럼 제가 준비할 거예요.geureom jega junbihal geoyeyo. EN: Then I’m going to prepare it (plan; more detached). -
제가 먼저 갈게요.jega meonjeo galgeyo. EN: I’ll go first (okay, I’ll head out). vs제가 먼저 갈 거예요.jega meonjeo gal geoyeyo. EN: I’m going to go first (plan/decision stated). -
제가 주문할게요.jega jumunhalgeyo. EN: I’ll order (for us / I’ll do it). vs제가 주문할 거예요.jega jumunhal geoyeyo. EN: I’m going to order (my plan; can sound like an announcement).
Examples
-
걱정 마세요. 제가 확인할게요.geokjeong maseyo. jega hwaginhalgeyo. EN: Don’t worry. I’ll check. -
지금 바쁘시면 제가 대신 할게요.jigeum bappeusimyeon jega daesin halgeyo. EN: If you’re busy now, I’ll do it instead. -
메시지 보내주시면 제가 정리할게요.mesiji bonaejusimyeon jega jeongrihalgeyo. EN: If you send me the message, I’ll organize it. -
아, 제가 계산할게요.a, jega gyesanhalgeyo. EN: Oh, I’ll pay.
When it’s the right choice
Use -(으)ㄹ 거예요-(eu)ㄹ geoyeyo when you’re describing the future as information: either your plan/intent, or your guess/prediction.
Two common meanings:
- Plan/intent: “I’m going to…”
- Prediction: “It will probably…”
A classic trap: using it as an “I’ll do it for you” response can sound less responsive, like you’re narrating your schedule instead of taking action.
Minimal pairs (vs -(으)ㄹ게요)
-
내일 회의 자료를 보낼 거예요.naeil hoeui jaryoreul bonael geoyeyo. EN: I’m going to send the meeting materials tomorrow. (plan) vs내일 회의 자료를 보낼게요.naeil hoeui jaryoreul bonaelgeyo. EN: I’ll send the meeting materials tomorrow. (more like a promise to you) -
비가 올 거예요.biga ol geoyeyo. EN: It’ll probably rain. (prediction) vs비가 올게요.biga olgeyo. EN: (Not natural; raining isn’t your “offer.”) -
저는 먼저 갈 거예요.jeoneun meonjeo gal geoyeyo. EN: I’m going to leave first. (plan/announcement) vs저는 먼저 갈게요.jeoneun meonjeo galgeyo. EN: I’ll head out first. (more polite, situational) -
이거 생각보다 오래 걸릴 거예요.igeo saenggakboda orae geolril geoyeyo. EN: This will probably take longer than expected. (prediction) vs이거 생각보다 오래 걸릴게요.igeo saenggakboda orae geolrilgeyo. EN: (Not natural; sounds like you’re “promising” it will take long.)
Examples
-
오늘은 집에서 공부할 거예요.oneureun jibeseo gongbuhal geoyeyo. EN: I’m going to study at home today. -
이번 주말에 부산에 갈 거예요.ibeon jumare busane gal geoyeyo. EN: I’m going to go to Busan this weekend. -
지금 출발하면 10분 안에 도착할 거예요.jigeum chulbalhamyeon 10bun ane dochakhal geoyeyo. EN: If we leave now, we’ll arrive within 10 minutes. -
그 사람은 안 올 거예요.geu sarameun an ol geoyeyo. EN: They probably won’t come.
Comparison table
| -(으)ㄹ게요 | -(으)ㄹ 거예요 | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Offer/promise in response | Plan/intent or prediction |
| Tone | “I’ll take care of it” | “Here’s what will happen” |
| Safer in workplace? | Often yes for taking tasks | Yes for schedules/forecasts |
| Common mistake | Using it for private plans | Using it as a volunteering response |
Decision tree
If you mean X → use -(으)ㄹ게요. If you mean Y → use -(으)ㄹ 거예요.
- X = You’re responding to the listener (accepting a request, offering help, making a quick promise).
- Y = You’re stating a plan or prediction (your schedule, a future fact, or a guess).
Next steps
- Write 3 replies to a coworker request using
-(으)ㄹ게요-(eu)ㄹgeyo (e.g., “I’ll check,” “I’ll send it,” “I’ll handle it”), then translate them. - Write 3 “tomorrow/next week” sentences using
-(으)ㄹ 거예요-(eu)ㄹ geoyeyo (one plan, one prediction, one negative), and read them out loud twice.