Talking about future plans is a vital part of daily conversations, whether you’re discussing your weekend activities, career goals, or travel plans. In Korean, expressing future intentions involves specific grammatical structures and vocabulary. This article aims to provide English-speaking learners with a comprehensive guide to talking about future plans in Korean.
Basic Future Tense Construction
The most straightforward way to express the future in Korean is by using the future tense conjugation. The future tense in Korean can be constructed by adding the suffix -겠 to the verb stem. For example:
– 가다 (to go) becomes 가겠어요 (I will go).
– 먹다 (to eat) becomes 먹겠어요 (I will eat).
This suffix indicates a strong intention or willingness to perform the action. It’s important to note that the sentence structure in Korean typically follows the Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) format. For instance:
– 저는 내일 서울에 가겠어요. (I will go to Seoul tomorrow.)
Expressing Future Plans Using -(으)ㄹ 거예요
Another common way to talk about future plans is by using the suffix -(으)ㄹ 거예요. This form is more informal and conversational and is widely used in everyday situations. Here’s how it works:
– Verb stems ending in a consonant: Add 을 거예요.
– Verb stems ending in a vowel: Add ㄹ 거예요.
For example:
– 공부하다 (to study) becomes 공부할 거예요 (I will study).
– 살다 (to live) becomes 살 거예요 (I will live).
Example sentences:
– 내일 친구를 만날 거예요. (I will meet a friend tomorrow.)
– 주말에 영화를 볼 거예요. (I will watch a movie this weekend.)
Using -(으)려고 하다 to Indicate Intention
To express intentions or plans that you are about to carry out, you can use the construction -(으)려고 하다. This form is similar to saying “I am planning to” or “I intend to” in English.
– Verb stems ending in a consonant: Add 으려고 하다.
– Verb stems ending in a vowel: Add 려고 하다.
Examples:
– 한국어를 배우려고 해요. (I am planning to learn Korean.)
– 여행을 가려고 해요. (I am planning to go on a trip.)
Talking about Immediate Future Plans
If you want to talk about something you are about to do very soon, you can use the construction -(으)려고 하다 with the present tense form of 하다 (to do). This implies that the action will happen in the very near future.
For example:
– 지금 집에 가려고 해요. (I am about to go home now.)
– 곧 점심을 먹으려고 해요. (I am about to eat lunch soon.)
Using -(으)ㄹ 것이다 for Formal Contexts
In more formal or written contexts, the construction -(으)ㄹ 것이다 is used. This form is often found in news reports, academic writing, and formal speeches. It translates to “will” or “shall” in English.
– Verb stems ending in a consonant: Add 을 것이다.
– Verb stems ending in a vowel: Add ㄹ 것이다.
Examples:
– 저는 내년에 대학에 입학할 것입니다. (I will enter university next year.)
– 우리는 회의에서 이 문제를 논의할 것입니다. (We will discuss this issue at the meeting.)
Using Vocabulary to Talk About Future Plans
Mastering the future tense is crucial, but knowing the right vocabulary will make your conversations about future plans more fluent and natural. Here are some useful words and phrases:
– 내일 (tomorrow)
– 다음 주 (next week)
– 내년 (next year)
– 주말 (weekend)
– 미래 (future)
– 계획 (plan)
Example sentences:
– 내일 저는 쇼핑할 거예요. (I will go shopping tomorrow.)
– 다음 주에 우리는 여행을 갈 거예요. (We will go on a trip next week.)
Using Time Expressions
Time expressions are essential when talking about future plans. Here are some common ones:
– 곧 (soon)
– 나중에 (later)
– 이따가 (after a while)
– 머지않아 (before long)
Example sentences:
– 곧 비가 올 거예요. (It will rain soon.)
– 이따가 전화할 거예요. (I will call you later.)
Combining Time Expressions with Future Tense
To make your sentences more specific, combine time expressions with the future tense. This adds clarity and context to your plans.
– 저는 내일 아침에 운동할 거예요. (I will exercise tomorrow morning.)
– 우리는 머지않아 이사할 거예요. (We will move soon.)
Asking About Future Plans
When you want to ask someone about their future plans, you can use the same future tense constructions in question form. Here are some examples:
– 내일 뭐 할 거예요? (What will you do tomorrow?)
– 주말에 어디 갈 거예요? (Where will you go this weekend?)
To make your questions more polite, you can add the honorific suffix -시:
– 내일 뭐 하실 거예요? (What will you do tomorrow?)
– 주말에 어디 가실 거예요? (Where will you go this weekend?)
Practice and Application
The best way to internalize these structures is through consistent practice. Here are a few exercises to help you get started:
1. **Translate the following sentences into Korean:**
– I will study Korean next year.
– We will meet at the park tomorrow.
– She is planning to travel to Japan next month.
2. **Create your own sentences:**
– Write five sentences about your future plans using -(으)ㄹ 거예요.
– Write three questions asking about someone else’s future plans.
3. **Role-play:**
– Pair up with a language partner and take turns asking and answering questions about future plans. Use a mix of the different future tense constructions.
Advanced Usage: Expressing Speculation and Guessing
In addition to expressing definite plans, you can also talk about what you think will happen in the future using speculative forms. The expression -(으)ㄹ 것 같다 is useful for this purpose. It means “I think” or “It seems that.”
– Verb stems ending in a consonant: Add 을 것 같다.
– Verb stems ending in a vowel: Add ㄹ 것 같다.
Examples:
– 비가 올 것 같아요. (I think it will rain.)
– 그가 내일 올 것 같아요. (I think he will come tomorrow.)
Conclusion
Talking about future plans in Korean involves understanding and correctly using different grammatical structures, such as -겠, -(으)ㄹ 거예요, -(으)려고 하다, and -(으)ㄹ 것이다. By combining these with appropriate vocabulary and time expressions, you can convey your future intentions clearly and effectively. Remember, consistent practice is key to mastering any language skill. So, start incorporating these structures into your daily conversations and written exercises, and you’ll soon find yourself talking about future plans in Korean with confidence and ease. Happy learning!
