Lesson 31 · Promises and Helpful Responses: -(으)ㄹ게요
Hyeju’s Beginner Korean · Lesson 31 · Grammar
Promises and Helpful Responses: -(으)ㄹ게요
Learn Promises and Helpful Responses: -(으)ㄹ게요 with form rules, natural examples, common mistakes, romanization, and six practice questions with answers.
Introduction / Review
Use -(으)ㄹ게요 when you decide, promise, or offer an action with the listener in mind. It often responds to what the listener has just said: “I’ll do that.” Compare a general plan with -(으)ㄹ 거예요.
N = noun; V = action verb; A = descriptive verb. Romanization is a reading aid.
Today’s Grammar / Explanation
- Vowel + ㄹ게요: 가다 → 갈게요; 전화하다 → 전화할게요. Consonant + 을게요: 먹다 → 먹을게요.
- Keep final ㄹ: 만들다 → 만들게요; 열다 → 열게요. Irregular examples: 듣다 → 들을게요; 돕다 → 도울게요.
- The normal subject is I, or we when making a group commitment. Use an action you can choose to perform. Spell 게요, not 께요.
Examples
제가 전화할게요.
jega jeonhwahalgeyo
I’ll call.
제가 문을 열게요.
jega muneul yeolgeyo
I’ll open the door.
내일 책을 가져올게요.
naeil chaegeul gajyeoolgeyo
I’ll bring the book tomorrow.
다음에 다시 올게요.
daeume dasi olgeyo
I’ll come again next time.
제가 친구를 도울게요.
jega chingureul doulgeyo
I’ll help my friend.
네, 여기에서 기다릴게요.
ne, yeogieseo gidarilgeyo
Yes, I’ll wait here.
Compare with similar grammar
LESSON 26
-(으)ㄹ 거예요
내일 은행에 갈 거예요.States a plan. -(으)ㄹ게요 promises or offers something, reacting to the listener.
Review Lesson 26 →LESSON 30
-(으)ㄹ래요
저는 이걸로 할래요.Your own choice or preference. -(으)ㄹ게요 takes the listener into account.
Review Lesson 30 →LESSON 69
-아/어 줄게요
제가 도와줄게요.Combine with -아/어 주다 to offer help: “I’ll do it for you.”
Look ahead: Lesson 69 →| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -(으)ㄹ게요 | I’ll… (promise or offer to you) | 제가 할게요 |
| -(으)ㄹ 거예요 | I’m going to… (plan) | 내일 할 거예요 |
| -(으)ㄹ래요 | I want to / I’ll go with… | 이거 할래요 |
| -겠습니다 | I will… (formal) | 하겠습니다 |
Common mistakes
내일 비가 올게요 is not a normal forecast: the weather cannot make a promise to the listener. 갈 거예요 can simply state a plan; 갈게요 presents it as a response, promise, or listener-related decision.
하 ends in a vowel → ㄹ게요: 할게요.
먹 ends in a consonant → 을게요.
-(으)ㄹ게요 is only for your own actions. For a prediction, use -(으)ㄹ 거예요.
You can’t promise someone else’s action.
Mini practice · six questions
All sentences below are new. Try each one before opening the answer.
- Fill in the blankA: 짐이 많아요. B: 그럼 제가 ______. (들다)
Check answer
그럼 제가 들게요.
들다 ends in ㄹ, so just add 게요: 들게요. “Then I’ll carry it.”
- Fill in the blank늦어서 죄송해요. 다음부터는 일찍 ______. (오다)
Check answer
다음부터는 일찍 올게요.
A promise to the listener → 올게요.
- Choose the better formA: 문 좀 닫아 주세요. B: 네, (닫을게요 / 닫을래요).
Check answer
닫을게요
You’re responding to a request, so -(으)ㄹ게요 fits.
- Choose the better form(일기) 다음 달에 한국에 (갈 거예요 / 갈게요).
Check answer
갈 거예요
A diary has no listener to promise to, so state the plan: 갈 거예요.
- Find and fix the mistake도착하면 문자 보내을게요.
Check answer
도착하면 문자 보낼게요.
보내 ends in a vowel → 보낼게요.
- Say it in KoreanI’ll call you tonight.
Check answer
오늘 밤에 전화할게요.
A promise to the listener → 전화할게요.
Today’s Key Point
Promise or respond with the listener in mind; use an intentional action; write -(으)ㄹ게요.
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