Easy Korean - Level 3, Unit 6: I Will (Offer/Promise) -(으)ㄹ게요

In this unit, we will learn a special future tense ending: -(으)ㄹ게요. While both -(으)ㄹ 거예요 and -(으)ㄹ게요 translate to "I will," they are used in very different situations!

When to use -(으)ㄹ게요

You use -(으)ㄹ게요 when you are volunteering to do something, making a promise, or deciding to do something in reaction to what someone else just said or did. It expects some kind of reaction or acknowledgment from the listener.

Key features of -(으)ㄹ게요: 1. Subject is always "I" or "We". You cannot say "He will go" using -(으)ㄹ게요. 2. Used in conversation. You are communicating your intention to the listener, expecting them to care.

How to conjugate

1. Verb stem ends in a VOWEL: Add -ㄹ게요 * 하다 (to do) -> 할게요 (I will do it / Let me do it) * 가다 (to go) -> 갈게요 (I will go / I am leaving now)

2. Verb stem ends in a CONSONANT: Add -을게요 * 먹다 (to eat) -> 먹을게요 (I will eat it) * 찍다 (to take a photo) -> 찍을게요 (I will take it)

3. Verb stem ends in 'ㄹ': Add -게요 * 팔다 (to sell) -> 팔게요 (I will sell it)

-(으)ㄹ게요 vs. -(으)ㄹ 거예요

• -(으)ㄹ 거예요: A general future plan or prediction. (e.g., "I am going to study tonight.")
• -(으)ㄹ게요: A reactive decision, offer, or promise. (e.g., "Oh, you're busy? Then I will study later.")

Example Sentences

1. A: 누가 커피를 살 거예요? (Who is going to buy coffee?) B: 제가 살게요. (I will buy it! / Let me buy it.)

2. 내일 다시 올게요. (I will come again tomorrow. - Promise)

3. 먼저 갈게요. (I will go first. / I'm leaving now. - Common phrase when leaving work or a gathering early)

4. A: 이거 너무 무거워요. (This is too heavy.) B: 제가 도와줄게요. (I will help you. / Let me help you.)