~을 거에요 vs ~을게요 vs ~겠

Ø How are they different “~ㄹ/을 거예요, ~ㄹ/을게요 and -겠-”?

🌟 Korean Future Expressions: Detailed Comparison with Examples

1) -ㄹ/을 거예요

Meaning: Prediction, intention, assumption based on evidence or your own thought.
Key point: Listener is not directly involved nor mentioned in the sentence. Near future.

💬 Examples

1. 저는 내일 집에서 쉴 거예요.
   — I will rest at home tomorrow. (just stating intention)

2. 곧 버스가 올 거예요.
   — The bus will come soon. (prediction)

3. 그렇게 많이 먹으면 배 아플 거예요.
   — If you eat that much, you’ll get a stomachache. (prediction based on logic)

4. 오늘은 사람이 많을 거예요.
   — There will probably be a lot of people today. (assumption)

5. 아마 8시쯤 도착할 거예요.
   — I will probably arrive around 8. (soft prediction)

2) -ㄹ/을게요

Meaning: Promise, voluntary action, decision made in response to the listener; interactional future.
Key point: The listener’s presence/reaction matters.
NOT used for natural phenomena or unrelated events.

💬 Examples

1. 그럼 제가 쓰레기를 밖에 버릴게요.
   — I'm going to take out the trash. (reacting to the situation)

2. 늦으면 전화할게요.
   — I’ll call you if I'm late. (promise to listener)

3. 이 캐리어 제가 들게요.
   — I’ll carry this suitcase (for you). (considering listener)

4. 제가 유리창을 닦을게요. 가만히 쉬세요.
   — I’ll mop and clean the window. Take a rest. (decision benefiting listener)

5. 그럼 먼저 갈게요!
   — Okay, I’ll go first! (closing conversation or an appointment politely)

❌ Incorrect uses:

• 오늘 눈 올게요.
  — ❌ You cannot “promise” weather.

• 내일 시험이 있을게요.
  — ❌ The exam is not something can show voluntary action itself.

3) -겠-

Meanings:

1. Formal intention/promise

2. Strong assumption/guess

3. Polite softening (“I suppose…”)

4. Emotion or reaction (맛있겠다!)

💬 Examples

✔ Intention / promise (formal)

1. 내일까지 보고 드리겠습니다.
   — I will report back by tomorrow. (formal promise)

2. 지금 바로 확인하겠습니다.
   — I will check right now.

✔ Strong guess / assumption

1. 밖에 정말 춥겠어요.
   — It must be really cold outside. (speaker’s inference)

2. 오늘 길이 많이 막히겠네요.
   — I guess the traffic will be heavy today.

✔ Emotional reaction

1. 와, 이거 정말 맛있겠다!
   — Wow, this looks so delicious!

2. 피곤하겠어요.
   — You must be tired. (sympathetic reaction)

📌 Spacing Rules

• -ㄹ 거예요 → space needed before 거예요요

• 갈 거예요 / 할 거예요

• -ㄹ게요 → NO space

• -겠어요 / -겠습니다 → 붙여쓰기

🔍 Quick Comparison Table

Expression

Meaning / Use

Listener-involved?

Examples

-ㄹ/을 거예요

neutral future, prediction, intention

❌ No

내일 비 올 거예요.

-ㄹ/을게요

promise, decision considering listener

✔ Yes

제가 도와 줄게요.

-겠-

strong assumption, emotion, formal intention

△ Depends

맛있겠다!, 도와드리겠습니다.