Lesson 8

Guessing & Possibility

Express guesses, assumptions, and uncertainty using -(으)ㄹ 것 같다, -나 봐요, and -겠-.

Korean has several patterns for expressing guesses, assumptions, and uncertainty, each with slightly different nuance. -(으)ㄹ 것 같다 is the most common 'it seems' / 'I think' — based on direct observation or general impression: 비가 올 것 같아요 (it looks like it'll rain). -나 봐요 implies you're inferring from indirect evidence: 친구가 안 왔나 봐요 (it seems my friend didn't come — based on her not being here). -겠- expresses a stronger guess based on a clear logical connection: 배고프겠어요 (you must be hungry — said after seeing them skip lunch).

The choice depends on how certain you are and what kind of evidence you have. Native speakers swap between these naturally based on the situation. Learners tend to default to -(으)ㄹ 것 같다 because it's the safest, but learning the contrasts will make your Korean sound more natural. Practice with everyday observation prompts: looking at the sky, hearing a noise, seeing someone's expression.

-(으)ㄹ 것 같다 — I think / It seems like

Used to express a guess or conjecture. Attach to the verb/adjective stem. Present conjecture: verb stem + -(으)ㄹ 것 같아요. Past conjecture: stem + -(으)ㄴ 것 같아요. Very commonly used in everyday speech.

내일 비가 올 것 같아요.naeil biga ol geot gatayoI think it will rain tomorrow.

그 식당은 이미 문을 닫은 것 같아요.geu sikdangeun imi muneul dadeun geot gatayoI think that restaurant has already closed.

-나 봐요 / -(으)ㄴ가 봐요 — It seems like (inference from observation)

Used when you infer something from what you see, hear, or feel. Slightly different from -(으)ㄹ 것 같다 — this implies a basis of evidence. Action verbs: stem + 나 봐요. Descriptive verbs: stem + (으)ㄴ가 봐요.

불이 꺼져 있네요. 아무도 없나 봐요.buri kkeojyeo inneyo. amudo eomna bwayoThe lights are off. It seems no one is there.

많이 드시네요. 배가 고프신가 봐요.mani deusineyo. baega gopeusin-ga bwayoYou're eating a lot. You must be hungry.

아마amaprobably / maybe

Examples아마 그 사람은 아직 안 왔을 거예요.ama geu sarameun ajik an wasseul geoyeyoThat person probably hasn't come yet.

혹시hoksiby any chance / perhaps

Examples혹시 민준 씨 아세요?hoksi minjun ssi aseyoDo you happen to know Minjun?

확실히hwaksilhicertainly / definitely

Examples확실히 실력이 늘었어요.hwaksilhi sillyeogi neureosseoyoYour skills have definitely improved.

분명히bunmyeonghiclearly / obviously

Examples분명히 어딘가에 있을 거예요.bunmyeonghi eodingae-e isseul geoyeyoIt must be somewhere.

글쎄요geulsseyowell... / I'm not sure

Examples글쎄요, 잘 모르겠어요.geulsseyo, jal moreugeseoyoWell, I'm not really sure.

예상하다yesanghadato expect / to predict

Examples이렇게 빨리 끝날 줄은 예상 못 했어요.ireoke ppalli kkeunnal jureun yesan mot haesseoyoI didn't expect it to finish this quickly.

Cultural & Language Note

Korean speakers hedge far more than English speakers in equivalent situations, and 을 것 같다 is the main tool. Saying 맛있어요 flatly about someone's cooking can sound like a verdict, while 맛있을 것 같아요 before tasting and 맛있는 것 같아요 after are both softer and more socially comfortable. Directness is not automatically valued.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The modifier form changes with tense: 갈 것 같아요 for a future guess, 가는 것 같아요 for a present one, 간 것 같아요 for a past one. Learners freeze on one form and use it everywhere. 나 봐요 differs in requiring observed evidence — you cannot use it about your own feelings, since you do not infer those.