-(으)ㄹ게
Will Do
-ㄹ/을게 is used to say 'I will...' as a promise or a spontaneous decision. It's informal and only used by the speaker about their own actions.
How It Works
The -ㄹ/을게 ending is a crucial part of conversational Korean for expressing future intentions. Its main function is to state the speaker's decision or promise to do something. Unlike other future tense forms, it carries a specific nuance of being a reaction or a commitment made in the context of a conversation.
Key Points:
1. First-Person Only: This pattern can only be used with a first-person subject (I/we). You cannot use it to talk about what another person will do.
2. Promise or Reaction: It's not just a neutral statement about the future. It often implies, "Okay, since you said that, I'll do this," or "Don't worry, I promise I will do this." It shows that the speaker's decision is influenced by the listener or the situation.
3. Informal: It is used in informal or casual polite (해요체) speech. You will often see it as -ㄹ게요/-을게요.
Conjugation:
- Verb stem ends in a vowel or ㄹ → -ㄹ게(요)
- 가다 (to go) → 갈게(요)
- 만들다 (to make) → 만들게(요) - Verb stem ends in a consonant (except ㄹ) → -을게(요)
- 먹다 (to eat) → 먹을게(요)
- 찾다 (to find) → 찾을게(요)
Comparison with other future forms:
- -ㄹ 거(예요/야) is a more general future tense. It can be a simple prediction or a pre-decided plan, and it can be used for any subject (I, you, they, etc.).
- 제가 할게요. (I'll do it - a promise/response)
- 제가 할 거예요. (I'm going to do it - a statement of fact/plan)
- -겠- can also express intention, but it often sounds stronger, more formal, or more determined. It can also be used for conjecture (e.g., 춥겠다 - It must be cold). -ㄹ게 is softer and more responsive.
Examples (5)
- 걱정 마, 내가 할게.
Don't worry, I'll do it.
Word by Word: Worry don't, I will do.
This is a classic example of using -ㄹ게 to make a reassuring promise.
- 너무 늦었네. 나 먼저 갈게.
It's so late. I'll go first.
Word by Word: Too late. I first will go.
- A: 이 책이 너무 무거워요.
B: 그럼 제가 들어 드릴게요.
A: This book is so heavy. B: Then I'll carry it for you.
Speaker B's decision to help is a direct response to Speaker A's statement. The combination with -아/어 드리다 (honorific of 주다) is very common.
- 내일 아침에 다시 전화할게요.
I'll call you again tomorrow morning.
Word by Word: Tomorrow morning again will call.
- 알았어, 이제부터 열심히 공부할게.
Okay, I'll study hard from now on.
Word by Word: Okay, now from diligently will study.
This shows -ㄹ게 used as a promise or a newly-formed resolution.
Common Mistakes
Using -ㄹ게 for subjects other than 'I' or 'we'.
Not Quite친구가 도서관에 갈게.Better친구가 도서관에 갈 거야.-ㄹ게 is a first-person ending. It expresses the speaker's own intention. To talk about someone else's future action, use a different ending like -ㄹ 거야.
Using -ㄹ게 to ask a question about someone else's intention.
Not Quite너도 같이 갈게?Better너도 같이 갈래?-ㄹ게 is a statement, not a question form. To ask about the listener's intention or preference, you should use a question ending like -ㄹ래? or -ㄹ 거야?.
Learn This First
To express 'will do', you need to understand verb conjugation.
Related Patterns
- -(으)ㄹ 거(예요/야)Will, Probably
Both express future actions. -ㄹ게 is a first-person promise or reaction, while -ㄹ 거(예요/야) is a more general statement of a future plan or fact that can be used for any subject.
- -겠-Will, (I) Intend to
Both can show intention. -겠- often sounds more formal or expresses a stronger will, and can also be used for assumptions. -ㄹ게 is softer, more conversational, and implies a decision made in response to the situation.
- -(으)ㄹ래Going to, Will
Both are informal and express intention. As a statement, -ㄹ래 expresses a personal decision ('I'm gonna...'), while -ㄹ게 is more of a promise or commitment to the listener ('I'll do it for you/in this situation'). As a question, -ㄹ래? asks for the listener's intention.
- -(으)ㄹ까Shall We, I Wonder
While -ㄹ게 states a decision, -ㄹ까? is used to propose an action ('Shall we...?') or ask for the listener's opinion before making a decision ('Should I...?'). It seeks input, whereas -ㄹ게 announces a conclusion.