Example Sentences#

1. 민준: 이번 주말 뭐 할 거야?¹
   Minjun: What are you doing this weekend?
   • 거 is a contracted form of 것, a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used with modifiers to nominalize the preceding clause or phrase.
   • 이다 is the verb ‘to be’, and 야 is its casual conjugated form used in informal speech.
   • The pattern ᆯ 것이다 is commonly used to express future tense in Korean.
2. 체셔 고양이: “오, 넌 분명히 갈 곳이 있을 거야,” 고양이가 말했다, “오래 걷기만 하면 돼.”²
   Cheshire Cat: “Oh, you’re sure to find a place,’ said the cat, ‘as long as you walk long enough.”
   • 거 is a contracted form of 것, a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used with modifiers to nominalize the preceding clause or phrase.
   • 이다 is the verb ‘to be’, and 야 is its casual conjugated form used in informal speech.
   • The pattern 을 것 이다 is commonly used to express future tense in Korean.
3. 아마 실제로 십자가형을 당해야 하는 상황이 온다면, 저는 그것을 이겨낼 수 있을 것입니다.³
   Perhaps if a situation were to come where I had to actually be crucified, I would be able to overcome it.
   • 것 is a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used with modifiers to nominalize the preceding clause or phrase.
   • 이다 is the verb ‘to be’.
   • The pattern ᆯ 것이다 is commonly used to express future tense in Korean. In this speculative context, it translates to ‘would’ instead of ‘will’.
   • ㅂ니다 is a formal polite ending used in declarative sentences.
4. 그러나 언젠가 이 떨어져 있는 지식들이 모이면, 현실의 무서운 모습을 드러내고, 그 속에서 우리의 무서운 위치를 알게 되어 우리는 그 사실로 인해 미쳐버리거나 그 빛을 피해 새로운 어두운 시대의 평화와 안전 속으로 도망칠 것입니다.⁴
   However, someday, if these separate pieces of knowledge come together, they will reveal the fearful reality, and in that, we will come to know our terrifying position and either go mad or flee into the peace and safety of a new dark age, avoiding the light.
   • 것 is a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used with modifiers to nominalize the preceding clause or phrase.
   • 이다 is the verb ‘to be’.
   • The pattern ᆯ 것이다 is commonly used to express future tense in Korean.
   • ㅂ니다 is a formal polite ending used in declarative sentences.
5. 나는 슬쩍 너를 바라볼 거고, 너는 아무 말도 하지 마.⁵
   I will steal a glance at you, and you will say nothing.
   • 거 is a contracted form of 것, a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used with modifiers to nominalize the preceding clause or phrase.
   • 이다 is the copula ‘to be’ and is omitted here, which commonly occurs when it follows a vowel-ending noun and attaches to a vowel-initial ending.
   • The pattern ᆯ 것이다 is commonly used to express future tense in Korean.
   • -고 is a connective ending used to link two actions or states, meaning ‘and’, or to join the main verb to auxiliary verbs.
6. 밥 먹으러 와서 떡볶이만 먹을 거야?⁶
   You came here for a meal, and you’re just going to have tteokbokki?
   • 거 is a contracted form of 것, a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used with modifiers to nominalize the preceding clause or phrase.
   • 이다 is the verb ‘to be’, and 야 is its casual conjugated form used in informal speech.
   • The pattern ᆯ 것이다 is commonly used to express future tense in Korean.
7. “네가 오후 네 시에 온다면, 나는 세 시부터 벌써 행복해지기 시작할 거야.⁵
   “If you come at four in the afternoon, then at three o’clock I shall begin to feel happy.
   • 거 is a contracted form of 것, a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used with modifiers to nominalize the preceding clause or phrase.
   • 이다 is the verb ‘to be’, and 야 is its casual conjugated form used in informal speech.
   • The pattern ᆯ 것이다 is commonly used to express future tense in Korean.
8. 떡볶이 맵게 시킬 거야?⁶
   Are you going to order the tteokbokki spicy?
   • 거 is a contracted form of 것, a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used with modifiers to nominalize the preceding clause or phrase.
   • 이다 is the verb ‘to be’, and 야 is its casual conjugated form used in informal speech.
   • The pattern ᆯ 것이다 is commonly used to express future tense in Korean.
9. 네 시가 가까워질수록 나는 점점 더 기뻐질 거야.⁵
   As four o’clock draws nearer, I shall grow happier and happier.
   • 거 is a contracted form of 것, a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used with modifiers to nominalize the preceding clause or phrase.
   • 이다 is the verb ‘to be’, and 야 is its casual conjugated form used in informal speech.
   • The pattern ᆯ 것이다 is commonly used to express future tense in Korean.
10. 네 시가 되면 나는 이미 설레고 불안해질 거야.⁵
    At four o’clock, I shall already be excited and nervous.
    • 거 is a contracted form of 것, a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used with modifiers to nominalize the preceding clause or phrase.
    • 이다 is the verb ‘to be’, and 야 is its casual conjugated form used in informal speech.
    • The pattern ᆯ 것이다 is commonly used to express future tense in Korean.
11. 행복의 대가를 알게 될 거야.⁵
    I shall come to know the price of happiness.
    • 거 is a contracted form of 것, a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used with modifiers to nominalize the preceding clause or phrase.
    • 이다 is the verb ‘to be’, and 야 is its casual conjugated form used in informal speech.
    • The pattern ᆯ 것이다 is commonly used to express future tense in Korean.
12. 하지만 네가 아무 때나 온다면, 나는 몇 시에 마음의 준비를 해야 할지 알 수 없을 거야…”⁵
    But if you come at just any time, I shall never know at what hour to prepare my heart…”
    • 거 is a contracted form of 것, a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used with modifiers to nominalize the preceding clause or phrase.
    • 이다 is the verb ‘to be’, and 야 is its casual conjugated form used in informal speech.
    • The pattern ᆯ 것이다 is commonly used to express future tense in Korean.