-(으)ㄹ게요 vs -(으)ㄹ 거예요: Promise or Plan?
Master -(으)ㄹ게요 vs -(으)ㄹ 거예요 with a listener test, rewrite drills, and a quick table to sound natural—learn
Use a listener-involvement test and “I’ll” translation rewrites to make -(으)ㄹ게요 sound like a real promise, not a vague future plan.
The trap
A common mistake is using a “future plan” ending when you’re actually promising the listener.
Misuse: 내일 전화할 거예요.naeil jeonhwahal geoyeyo. — I’ll call you tomorrow. (sounds like a plan/prediction)
Fix: 내일 전화할게요.naeil jeonhwahalgeyo. — I’ll call you tomorrow. (sounds like a promise to you)
I first noticed this in a café in Korea: after I asked for a straw, the barista replied with 네, 가져다드릴게요.ne, gajyeodadeurilgeyo. — it felt like “I’ll do it for you,” not just “It will happen later.”
Quick cheat sheet
Expressions in this post
-(으)ㄹ게요-(eu)ㄹgeyo means “I’ll do it (for you)” when your decision is linked to the listener: a promise, an offer, or “I’ll take care of it.” It’s polite and common in everyday talk.
A key test: if you can add “for you” in English without changing the situation much, -(으)ㄹ게요-(eu)ㄹgeyo is often the natural pick.
Typical contexts
- You’re responding to a request:
알겠어요. 제가 할게요.algesseoyo. jega halgeyo. — Okay. I’ll do it. - You volunteer on the spot:
제가 먼저 갈게요.jega meonjeo galgeyo. — I’ll go first. - You reassure someone:
걱정하지 마세요. 제가 확인할게요.geokjeonghaji maseyo. jega hwaginhalgeyo. — Don’t worry. I’ll check.
Rewrite drill (swap to -(으)ㄹ 거예요)
Rewrite these to -(으)ㄹ 거예요-(eu)ㄹ geoyeyo to make them sound like a plan/prediction (less “promise to you,” more “this is my plan”).
내일 일찍 갈게요.naeil iljjik galgeyo. — rewrite주말에 쉴게요.jumare swilgeyo. — rewrite오늘은 집에 있을게요.oneureun jibe isseulgeyo. — rewrite저녁에 운동할게요.jeonyeoge undonghalgeyo. — rewrite다음 주에 시작할게요.daeum jue sijakhalgeyo. — rewrite
-(으)ㄹ 거예요-(eu)ㄹ geoyeyo means “(I’m) going to…” or “It will…” for plans and predictions. It’s the safer choice when you’re not directly committing to the listener.
Common trap: using -(으)ㄹ 거예요-(eu)ㄹ geoyeyo as a reply to a request can feel a bit detached, like you’re stating a future fact instead of giving your word.
Typical contexts
- Simple plan:
내일 병원에 갈 거예요.naeil byeowone gal geoyeyo. — I’m going to the hospital tomorrow. - Prediction/guess:
곧 비가 올 거예요.got biga ol geoyeyo. — It’ll probably rain soon. - Neutral statement about yourself:
저는 오늘 일찍 잘 거예요.jeoneun oneul iljjik jal geoyeyo. — I’m going to sleep early today.
Rewrite drill (swap to -(으)ㄹ게요)
Rewrite these to -(으)ㄹ게요-(eu)ㄹgeyo to sound like a promise/offer to the listener.
네, 제가 할 거예요.ne, jega hal geoyeyo. — rewrite제가 확인할 거예요.jega hwaginhal geoyeyo. — rewrite제가 가져올 거예요.jega gajyeool geoyeyo. — rewrite제가 택시 부를 거예요.jega taeksi bureul geoyeyo. — rewrite제가 기다릴 거예요.jega gidaril geoyeyo. — rewrite
Comparison table
Keep it short and decisive.
| Your situation | Use | What it sounds like |
|---|---|---|
| You’re committing to the listener (promise/offer) | -(으)ㄹ게요-(eu)ㄹgeyo | “I’ll do it for you.” |
| You’re stating a plan/schedule | -(으)ㄹ 거예요-(eu)ㄹ geoyeyo | “I’m going to.” |
| You’re predicting/guessing | -(으)ㄹ 거예요-(eu)ㄹ geoyeyo | “It will / probably.” |
Next steps (quick practice):
- When someone asks you to do something, answer once with
-(으)ㄹ게요-(eu)ㄹgeyo out loud. - When you’re just talking about your day, keep it in
-(으)ㄹ 거예요-(eu)ㄹ geoyeyo. - If “I’ll” feels confusing, try rewriting it as “I promise I’ll…” (→
-(으)ㄹ게요-(eu)ㄹgeyo) vs “I plan to…” (→-(으)ㄹ 거예요-(eu)ㄹ geoyeyo).