을 거예요 VS 을게요

Many Korean learners find ‘-을 거예요’ and ‘-을게요’ difficult 

because both express the future tense, 

yet their nuances and usage are quite different. 

Let’s break them down clearly so you can use them naturally in conversation!

1. 을 거예요:  Plan or Expectation

- Used when talking about a future event, plan, or expectation.

- It expresses something the speaker thinks will happen or plans to do

- It can also be used to make predictions about future events.

- It can be used without necessarily considering the listener’s reaction.

< Examples >

- 저는 내년에 한국에 갈 거예요.  I will go to Korea next year. (Future plan)

- 이 영화 진짜 재미있을 거예요.  This movie will be really fun. (Expectation)

- 내일 비가 올 거예요.  It will rain tomorrow. (Prediction)

<Key Tip>

- Think of '-을 거예요' as: "I will..." or "It will be..." based on a plan or prediction.

2. 을게요:  Commitment or Decision

- Used when the speaker is making a promise or commitment about the future.

- The decision is often made at the moment of speaking

- This is often used when the speaker needs to consider the listener's situation

- This form is commonly used when responding to the listener's statement or request

< Examples >

- 제가 도와줄게요!  I will help you! (Promise)

- 이따가 전화할게요. I’ll call you later. (Considering the listener's situation)

- 저는 된장찌개를 먹을게요! I’ll go with 된장찌개. (when you've just decided what to order after looking at the menu.)

선생님: "다음 주까지 숙제를 해 주세요." Please do your homework by next week

학생: "네, 다음 주까지 숙제를 할게요!" I’ll do my homework by next week!  (Responding to a request)

<Key Tip>

- Think of '을게요' as: "I will do it!" or "I promise!" in response to the other person's words or situation.

[Common Mistakes]

If you want to tell the store employee that you've chosen a piece of clothing by saying, 'I'll take this one!', how should you say it in Korean?"

Many foreigners might say '이 옷으로 할 거예요.' 

However, this expression sounds a bit unnatural to Korean speakers.

Saying '이 옷으로 할 거예요' gives the nuance that you had already planned to buy this outfit before coming to the store and that you will purchase it regardless of the store employee's assistance. 

It does not convey consideration for the employee. 

Buying clothes in a store is a situation where the employee’s help is involved, so it is important to express consideration for them.

Therefore, it sounds more natural to say '이 옷으로 할게요!' as it considers the employee. 

Moreover, when shopping for clothes, people usually compare different options in the store and make a decision on the spot, so '-을게요' is more appropriate.

[Summary]

1. 을 거예요

It is used when talking about my original plan, regardless of the other person's help or agreement.

2. 을게요

It is used when responding to the other person's situation or words, expressing a promise or a decision made in the moment.

[Mini Test]

How would you respond in each situation?

1. 

친구: 이번 주말에 뭐 할 거예요? What are you going to do this weekend?

나:  부모님을 만날 거예요. / 부모님을 만날게요.

2. 

카페 직원: 음료를 가져가실 거예요? Will you be taking your drink to go?

나: 아니요, 여기에서 마실 거예요. / 아니요, 여기에서 마실게요. 

3. 

택시 기사: 여기에서 내려 드릴까요? Would you like to get off here?

나: 네, 여기에서 내릴 거예요. / 네, 여기에서 내릴게요. 

4. 

선생님: 복습을 꼭 해 주세요. Please make sure to review.

나: 네, 복습을 꼭 할 거예요 / 네, 꼭 복습을 꼭 할게요.

5. 

선생님: 크리스마스에 뭐 할 거예요? What are you going to do on Christmas?

나: 고향에 갈 거예요. / 고향에 갈게요.

6. 

친구: 지금 통화할 수 있어요? Can you talk right now?

나: 죄송해요. 제가 이따가 다시 전화할 거예요 / 제가 이따가 다시 전화할게요.

[Mini Test - 정답]

1. 부모님을 만날 거예요.  I'm going to meet my parents.

: Meeting my parents is my own plan and does not require my friend's help or agreement. It's just my plan

2. 아니요, 여기에서 마실게요.  No, I'll drink it here.

: Drinking coffee in the store involves the assistance of the staff, so a considerate expression is necessary.

3. 네, 여기에서 내릴게요.  Yes, I'll get off here.

: Getting out of a taxi requires the taxi driver's assistance or agreement.

4. 네, 복습을 꼭 할게요.  Yes, I'll make sure to review.

: Since the teacher requested a review, this response is an appropriate way to acknowledge that request.

5. 고향에 갈 거예요.  I'm going to my hometown.

: Going back to my hometown for Christmas is simply my plan and does not require my teacher’s help or agreement.

6. 죄송해요. 제가 이따가 다시 전화할게요.  Sorry, I'll call you back later.

: This is a decision made in the moment in response to the friend's question. It is not a pre-planned action like "I should call my friend later." before the friend called.

If you have any additional questions, feel free to ask in the comments!😊