-리라
Will, Shall (Archaic Future)
-리라 is a literary or archaic future tense ending that expresses a strong will, determination, or a solemn prediction. It's often found in poetry, songs, historical texts, and formal speeches.
How It Works
-리라 is a special future tense ending that you won't encounter in everyday conversation. Its primary function is to express a strong will, a firm resolution, or a solemn prediction, much like the English 'shall'. It imbues the sentence with a literary, poetic, or historical tone.
Conjugation Rules:
1. Verb stems ending in a vowel or ㄹ: Attach -리라 directly to the stem.
- 가다 (to go) → 가리라 (I shall go)
- 살다 (to live) → 살리라 (I shall live)
- 이기다 (to win) → 이기리라 (I shall win)
2. Verb stems ending in a consonant (except ㄹ): Attach -으리라 to the stem.
- 먹다 (to eat) → 먹으리라 (I shall eat)
- 찾다 (to find) → 찾으리라 (I shall find)
- 믿다 (to believe) → 믿으리라 (I shall believe)
Usage and Nuance:
The key difference between -리라 and other future tense forms like -겠- or -ㄹ 것이다 is its stylistic register. While -겠- can also express strong will, it is used in modern formal Korean. -ㄹ 것이다 is the standard, neutral future tense. -리라, on the other hand, is reserved for specific contexts:
- Literature and Poetry: To create an artistic or elevated tone.
- Song Lyrics: For dramatic or emotional effect.
- Historical Contexts: In historical dramas or texts to reflect older speech patterns.
- Formal Declarations: In very formal or solemn speeches, like a national address, to make a powerful promise to the public.
Using -리라 in casual conversation would sound very out of place and overly dramatic.
Examples (4)
- 나는 반드시 그 약속을 지키리라.
I shall definitely keep that promise.
Word by Word: I definitely that promise will keep.
This sentence expresses a very strong and solemn resolution to keep a promise. The use of -리라 makes it sound like a formal vow.
- 우리는 마침내 승리하리라.
We shall be victorious in the end.
Word by Word: We finally will be victorious.
This is a declaration of future victory, often used in contexts like speeches or anthems to inspire confidence and determination.
- 내일은 새로운 해가 뜨리라.
A new sun shall rise tomorrow.
Word by Word: Tomorrow a new sun will rise.
Here, -리라 is used poetically to make a solemn prediction about the future, imbuing the statement with a sense of hope and certainty.
- 언젠가 고향에 돌아가리라 마음먹었다.
I resolved that I would one day return to my hometown.
Word by Word: Someday to hometown will return decided.
This shows an internal, firm decision. The -리라 part reflects the determined thought or resolution itself.
Common Mistakes
Learn This First
To use archaic future 'will/shall', you need future tense knowledge and conjugation.
Related Patterns
- -(으)ㄹ 거(예요/야)Will, Probably
This is the most common way to express the future tense in modern spoken Korean. It's neutral and can express both intention and prediction. -리라 is a much stronger, more formal, and literary alternative that is not used in daily conversation.
- -오/소Formal Archaic Ending
Like -리라, -오/소 is an archaic formal sentence ending. They often appear together in historical texts or dramas to create a specific old-fashioned tone. For example, '가시오' (Please go) and '가리라' (I shall go) belong to the same stylistic register.
- -고 말겠다Will Definitely Do
Both express strong determination to do something. -고 말겠다 means 'I will definitely do X (no matter what)' and is used in modern Korean. -리라 can express a similar strong will, but in a more literary or poetic style.
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.