-고 말겠다
Will Definitely Do
-고 말겠다 shows a strong resolution to do something, like making a firm promise to oneself.
How It Works
The grammar pattern -고 말겠다 is used to express the speaker's strong will, determination, or firm resolution to perform an action. It conveys a much stronger sense of intention than a simple future tense like -ㄹ 거예요 or -겠-.
Usage:
It attaches directly to the verb stem, regardless of whether it ends in a vowel or a consonant.
- 가다 (to go) → 가고 말겠다
- 먹다 (to eat) → 먹고 말겠다
- 이기다 (to win) → 이기고 말겠다
Key Nuances:
1. Strong Determination: This pattern is used when you are firmly resolved to do something, especially when it's difficult or challenging. It's like making a vow to yourself or others.
2. Emphasis: To add even more emphasis, the particle -야 can be inserted between the verb stem and -고, forming -고야 말겠다. This strengthens the meaning to 'I will do it, no matter what.'
3. Politeness Levels: The ending can be conjugated for different levels of politeness.
- Formal: -고 말겠습니다
- Polite: -고 말겠어요
- Plain: -고 말겠다
Comparison with -고 말았다:
While -고 말겠다 expresses a future resolution, its past tense form, -고 말았다, means 'ended up doing' or 'finally did,' often implying an outcome that was either inevitable or slightly unexpected. -고 말겠다 is the forward-looking declaration of intent to reach such a conclusion.
Examples (4)
- 이번 시험에는 반드시 합격하고 말겠어요.
I will definitely pass this exam.
Word by Word: This exam-in surely pass-and-will.
This sentence shows a strong resolution to pass an exam, which is often a challenging goal.
- 올해는 꼭 금연에 성공하고 말겠다.
This year, I will definitely succeed in quitting smoking.
Word by Word: This year by all means quitting smoking-in succeed-and-will.
This is a declaration of a firm personal goal, often made at the beginning of a new year.
- 포기하지 않고 끝까지 해내고 말겠습니다.
I will not give up and will see it through to the end.
Word by Word: Giving up-not and until the end accomplish-and-will (formal).
The formal ending -겠습니다 makes this a strong, public declaration of perseverance.
- 범인의 정체를 밝혀내고야 말겠다.
I will uncover the culprit's identity, no matter what.
Word by Word: The culprit's identity reveal-and-(emphasis)-will.
The use of -고야 말겠다 adds extra emphasis, showing an even stronger, almost obsessive determination.
Common Mistakes
Using -고 말겠다 for simple, everyday plans without any special determination.
Different Meaning내일 친구를 만나고 말겠어요.Better내일 친구를 만날 거예요.-고 말겠다 is too strong and dramatic for a simple plan like meeting a friend. It implies there's some great challenge or obstacle to overcome. For regular future plans, use a standard future tense like -ㄹ 거예요.
Learn This First
To express strong determination 'will definitely do', you need connectors and intention markers.
Related Patterns
- -(으)ㄹ 거(예요/야)Will, Probably
-ㄹ 거예요 is a common way to express a future plan or intention. -고 말겠다 is used for situations requiring much stronger resolve and determination. Use -ㄹ 거예요 for general plans and -고 말겠다 for firm commitments.
- -고 말다End Up Doing, Finally Do
-고 말다 is the base form, often used in the past tense as -고 말았다 to mean 'ended up doing' or 'finally did,' often with an unintended or inevitable result. -고 말겠다 is its future-tense counterpart, expressing the intention to reach that final state.
- -아/어야겠다I Should, I Need to
Both express a strong intention or necessity. -아/어야겠다 often implies a realization of what one should or must do ('I should...'), while -고 말겠다 is a more forceful declaration of what one will do ('I will definitely...').