Lesson 84 · Worrying and Thinking of Doing: -(으)ㄹ까 봐 / 보다
Hyeju’s Beginner Korean · Lesson 84 · Grammar
Worrying and Thinking of Doing: -(으)ㄹ까 봐 / 보다
Learn Worrying and Thinking of Doing: -(으)ㄹ까 봐 / 보다 with form rules, natural examples, common mistakes, romanization, and six practice questions with answers.
Introduction / Review
These similar-looking expressions need separate contexts. -(으)ㄹ까 봐 gives a worry that motivates preparation: “because I’m afraid it might ….” V-(으)ㄹ까 봐요 can also express a tentative intention: “I’m thinking of doing ….”
N = noun; V = action verb; A = descriptive verb. Romanization is a reading aid.
Today’s Grammar / Explanation
- Vowel + ㄹ까: 가다 → 갈까. Consonant + 을까: 늦다 → 늦을까. Final ㄹ stays: 만들다 → 만들까. Irregulars: 춥다 → 추울까.
- Worry: V/A-(으)ㄹ까 봐 + preparation/action. 비가 올까 봐 우산을 가져왔어요. The concern is that rain might happen.
- Tentative intention: V-(으)ㄹ까 봐요 in an appropriate context, such as 오늘은 집에서 쉴까 봐요. It is weaker than a settled decision with -기로 했어요.
Examples
비가 올까 봐 우산을 가져왔어요.
biga olkka bwa usaneul gajyeowasseoyo
I brought an umbrella because I was worried it might rain.
늦을까 봐 일찍 출발했어요.
neujeulkka bwa iljjik chulbalhaesseoyo
I left early because I was worried I might be late.
추울까 봐 옷을 가져왔어요.
chuulkka bwa oseul gajyeowasseoyo
I brought clothes because I was worried it might be cold.
잊을까 봐 공책에 썼어요.
ijeulkka bwa gongchaege sseosseoyo
I wrote it in a notebook because I was worried I might forget.
오늘은 집에서 쉴까 봐요.
oneureun jibeseo swilkka bwayo
I’m thinking of resting at home today.
주말에는 영화를 볼까 봐요.
jumareneun yeonghwareul bolkka bwayo
I’m thinking of watching a movie this weekend.
Compare with similar grammar
LESSON 24
-(으)ㄹ까요?
같이 점심 먹을까요?The same -(으)ㄹ까 shape, but as a question or suggestion.
Review Lesson 24 →LESSON 33
-(으)려고 해요
다음 달에 머리를 자르려고 해요.A firm intention. -(으)ㄹ까 봐요 is “I’m thinking I might…”.
Review Lesson 33 →LESSON 74
-(으)ㄹ 것 같아요
오후에 비가 올 것 같아요.A neutral guess. -(으)ㄹ까 봐 adds worry: “in case it…”.
Review Lesson 74 →LESSON 58
-아/어서
비가 와서 우산을 샀어요.-아/어서 gives a real reason (it IS raining). -(으)ㄹ까 봐 is a feared possibility.
Review Lesson 58 →| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -(으)ㄹ까 봐 | in case / worried that | 비가 올까 봐 우산을 가져왔어요 |
| -(으)ㄹ까 봐요 | I’m thinking I might… | 머리를 자를까 봐요 |
| -(으)ㄹ 것 같아요 | I think it will… | 비가 올 것 같아요 |
| -(으)려고 해요 | I intend to… | 머리를 자르려고 해요 |
Common mistakes
Do not translate every -ㄹ까 봐 as “worry.” Look for a feared possibility versus the speaker considering their own action. In an ambiguous isolated sentence, ask for the context. Write a space before 봐/봐요.
In the middle of a sentence, it’s just 봐: 떨어질까 봐 걱정돼요.
오 ends in a vowel → ㄹ까 봐: 올까 봐.
-(으)ㄹ까 봐 can’t be followed by a command or suggestion.
The form is 봐, not 보고.
Mini practice · six questions
All sentences below are new. Try each one before opening the answer.
- Fill in the blank______ 택시를 탔어요. (늦다)
Check answer
늦을까 봐 택시를 탔어요.
Worried about being late → 늦을까 봐.
- Fill in the blank이번 주말에는 집에서 그냥 ______. (쉬다 · -(으)ㄹ까 봐요)
Check answer
이번 주말에는 집에서 그냥 쉴까 봐요.
“I’m thinking I might just rest” → 쉴까 봐요.
- Choose the correct form아기가 (깰까 봐 / 깨려고) 조용히 말했어요.
Check answer
깰까 봐
You were worried the baby might wake → 깰까 봐.
- Choose the correct form비가 (올까 봐 / 오니까) 우산을 챙기세요.
Check answer
오니까
A command follows (챙기세요), so -(으)ㄹ까 봐 can’t be used.
- Find and fix the mistake버스를 놓치을까 봐 뛰었어요.
Check answer
버스를 놓칠까 봐 뛰었어요.
놓치 ends in a vowel → 놓칠까 봐.
- Say it in KoreanI brought a jacket in case it gets cold.
Check answer
추울까 봐 재킷을 가져왔어요.
ㅂ-irregular: 춥다 → 추울까 봐.
Today’s Key Point
Concern + preparation: -(으)ㄹ까 봐; tentative personal intention: V-(으)ㄹ까 봐요; context decides.
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