-(으)ㄹ래
Going to, Will
-ㄹ래 is a casual way to say 'I'm going to...' or ask 'Do you want to...?'
How It Works
-ㄹ래 is a very common informal ending used to express will or intention. It has two primary functions depending on whether it's used in a statement or a question.
Conjugation:
- Verb stem ends in a vowel or ㄹ: Add -ㄹ래
- 가다 (to go) → 갈래
- 보다 (to see) → 볼래
- 놀다 (to play) → 놀래 - Verb stem ends in a consonant (except ㄹ): Add -을래
- 먹다 (to eat) → 먹을래
- 찾다 (to find) → 찾을래
Usage 1: Statements (Speaker's Intention)
When used in a statement, it expresses the speaker's own intention or decision. It's similar to saying "I'm going to..." or "I think I'll...". It implies a personal choice made at the moment.
Example: 피곤해서 먼저 집에 갈래. (I'm tired, so I'm going to go home first.)
Usage 2: Questions (Listener's Intention)
When used in a question, it asks about the listener's intention or desire. It's a casual way to ask, "Do you want to...?" or "What are you going to do?".
Example: 점심 뭐 먹을래? (What do you want to eat for lunch?)
Important Nuance:
-ㄹ래 is highly informal and should only be used with close friends, people of the same age, or those younger than you. Using it with elders or in formal settings would be considered rude. For a slightly more polite but still informal feel, you can use -ㄹ래요?
Examples (5)
- 나랑 같이 영화 볼래?
Do you want to watch a movie with me?
Word by Word: With me together movie watch will?
- 나는 이따가 라면 먹을래.
I'm going to eat ramen later.
Word by Word: I later ramen eat will.
This is a statement of the speaker's personal intention.
- 피곤해서 오늘은 그냥 집에서 쉴래.
I'm tired, so I'm just going to rest at home today.
Word by Word: Tired because today just at home rest will.
- 커피 마실래, 주스 마실래?
Do you want to drink coffee or juice?
Word by Word: Coffee drink will, juice drink will?
This is a common way to ask for someone's preference between two options.
- 이제 그만할래. 너무 힘들어.
I'm going to stop now. It's too hard.
Word by Word: Now stop will. Too hard.
Common Mistakes
Using -ㄹ래 in formal situations or with elders.
Different Meaning사장님, 저 먼저 집에 갈래.Better사장님, 저 먼저 집에 가겠습니다. / 갈게요.-ㄹ래 is an informal ending. With a superior like a boss (사장님), you must use a formal ending like -겠습니다 or a polite ending like -ㄹ게요.
Using -ㄹ래 with adjectives (descriptive verbs).
Not Quite내일 날씨가 좋을래?Better내일 날씨가 좋을까?-ㄹ래 expresses intention or will, which can only be associated with action verbs. Adjectives like 좋다 (to be good) describe a state and cannot take this ending.
Using -ㄹ래 in a statement about a third person's intention.
Not Quite내 친구가 내일 여기 올래.Better내 친구가 내일 여기 올 거예요.In statements, -ㄹ래 can only express the speaker's (first-person) intention. To talk about a third person's future action or plan, use -ㄹ 거예요.
Learn This First
To express 'going to/will', you need to understand verb conjugation.
Related Patterns
- -(으)ㄹ게Will Do
Both express future intention, but -ㄹ게 is more of a promise or a decision made in consideration of the listener (e.g., 'Okay, I'll do it'). -ㄹ래 is a statement of the speaker's own personal desire or will, regardless of the listener.
- -(으)ㄹ 거(예요/야)Will, Probably
-ㄹ 거예요 is a more neutral way to state a future plan or fact. -ㄹ래 is more about a spontaneous decision or a strong personal intention. -ㄹ 거예요 can be used for first, second, or third person subjects, while -ㄹ래 is restricted to first (statements) and second (questions) person.
- -고 싶다Want to
-고 싶다 directly expresses a 'want' or 'desire'. -ㄹ래 expresses an 'intention' to act on that desire. Asking '영화 볼래?' (Do you want to watch a movie?) is very similar to asking if someone has a desire to watch a movie.
- -(으)ㄹ까Shall We, I Wonder
In questions, -ㄹ래? asks about the listener's intention ('Do you want to...?'). -ㄹ까? is used to make a suggestion involving the speaker ('Shall we...?') or to ask for an opinion.