🚀 Dreaming Big: Mastering the Future Tense "-(으)ㄹ 거예요"

Ready to talk about your next trip to Seoul or your graduation goals? Teacher Hoon breaks down the most essential future tense pattern to help you express your intentions naturally.

Night view of Seoul representing future possibilities

Intent vs. Simple Future (EEAT Tip)

In English, we have "will" and "going to." In Korean, -(으)ㄹ 거예요 covers both! As a teacher with 20 years of experience, I always remind my students: this form sounds polite yet friendly, making it perfect for both business plans and weekend chats. Let's master the formation rules.

🧱 Conjugation Rules

Verb Stem Ending	Rule	Example	Meaning
Vowel	+ ㄹ 거예요	가다 → 갈 거예요	I will go
Consonant	+ 을 거예요	먹다 → 먹을 거예요	I will eat
ㄹ Consonant	ㄹ remains	살다 → 살 거예요	I will live

💡 Teacher Hoon's expert "Spacing" Tip

Notice the space! It is 거예요, not 거에요 or 거예요(without space). Many advanced students still make this spelling mistake. Also, when speaking, focus on the 'ㄹ' sound linking to the next syllable to sound like a native speaker!

📝 Real-Life Sentences

🎓 저는 내년에 대학을 졸업할 거예요. (I will graduate from university next year.)
🎬 주말에 친구랑 영화를 볼 거예요. (I'm going to watch a movie with a friend this weekend.)
✈️ 시험이 끝난 후에 여행을 갈 거예요. (I will go on a trip after the exam ends.)

🗣 Practice Dialogue: Vacation Plans

A: 이번 방학 때 뭐 할 거예요?
(What will you do this vacation?)

B: 친구랑 같이 부산에 갈 거예요. 바다를 보고 싶어요.
(I'm going to Busan with a friend. I want to see the ocean.)

A: 와! 저는 한국어 공부를 더 열심히 할 거예요.
(Wow! I'm going to study Korean more diligently.)

🌏 Cultural Insight: The Jeonju Hanok Trip

If you tell a Korean friend, "전주에 갈 거예요" (I'm going to Jeonju), they will be very impressed! Jeonju is the heart of traditional Korean culture. It's famous for Hanbok (한복) rentals and the best Bibimbap in the country. It's one of the top "future trip" destinations for both locals and travelers.

Want to Practice Talking About Your Goals?

Future plans are the best conversation starters! Book a 1:1 "Goals & Aspirations" session with Hoon on italki. We'll practice using -(으)ㄹ 거예요 to talk about your career, your travel bucket list, and your Korean learning milestones.

🚀 Master the Future with Hoon

Trust Resources from LearningKR:
About Us | Contact Hoon