Ever want to say “I’ll go tomorrow” or “It will probably rain” in Korean? Today you’ll master the most common future forms: -(으)ㄹ 거예요 (plans and predictions) and -겠- (guesses and intentions). We’ll keep it practical with everyday verbs, time words, and quick exercises you can do as you learn.

The most useful future: -(으)ㄹ 거예요

In everyday conversation, the easiest way to talk about future plans or predictions is with -(으)ㄹ 거예요. Think of it like “will / going to” in English.

How it works (attach to the verb stem):

• If the stem ends in a vowel: add ㄹ + 거예요 → 보다 → 볼 거예요
• If the stem ends in a consonant: add 을 + 거예요 → 먹다 → 먹을 거예요
• If the stem ends in ㄹ: just add 거예요 (no extra ㄹ/을) → 살다 → 살 거예요, 놀다 → 놀 거예요

Use polite -요 style for A2-level conversation.

내일 아침에 학교에 거예요.

Time words you’ll actually use

These pair naturally with future sentences. Notice you usually don’t add 에 to words like 오늘, 내일, 모레.

주말에 영화를 거예요.

What about -겠-?

-겠- often expresses a guess or your intention/decision (especially in formal or service language). It’s not the main form for everyday future plans, but you’ll hear it a lot.

Common patterns:

• Guess/prediction about now or future: “It must be… / I suppose…” → 오겠어요 (will likely come), 맛있겠어요 (looks delicious)
• Intent/decision (formal): 제가 하겠습니다 (I will do it), 도와드리겠습니다 (I will assist you)

For casual future plans with friends, -(으)ㄹ 거예요 is more natural.

Mini planning dialogue

Put the lines in a natural order for two friends making weekend plans.

Everyday verbs for future sentences

Use these high-frequency verbs to build your own future plans.

Quick practice: make natural future sentences

Try turning these prompts into -(으)ㄹ 거예요 sentences with the given time word.

다음 주에 한국어를 거예요. (공부하다)

Cultural and usage notes

• With general time words like 오늘/내일/모레/다음 주, you usually don’t add 에: 내일 갈 거예요 (not 내일에 갈 거예요).
• -(으)ㄹ 거예요 is friendly and common in everyday speech. -겠습니다 is formal and often used by service staff or in announcements.
• -겠- also softens opinions: 맛있겠네요 (“That looks delicious”) sounds polite and less direct.

Avoid these common mistakes:

내일에 갈 거예요. → 내일 갈 거예요. General time words (오늘/내일/모레/다음 주) usually don’t take 에. 비가 있을 거예요. → 비가 올 거예요. Use 오다 for rain/snow: 비가 오다, 눈이 오다.

Wrap-up

• Use -(으)ㄹ 거예요 for most future plans and predictions.
• Use -겠- for guesses (맛있겠어요) and formal intentions (하겠습니다).
• Anchor your sentences with time words like 내일, 모레, 다음 주, 곧.

Keep practicing by saying 3 things you’ll do this week using -(으)ㄹ 거예요, and one polite guess using -겠- (e.g., 피곤하겠어요). You’ve got this—앞으로도 한국어 잘할 거예요!