KoreanPath

-을까 보다Korean expression · TOPIK 2

-eulkka boda

TOPIK 2 2급Expressions 표현2 senses

One expression with 2 distinct uses in the dictionary. Each is below with its own usage rule and examples.

형태Forms

-을까 보다-ㄹ까 보다

Which one you use is decided by what comes in front of it — see the usage rule under each meaning below.

An expression used to indicate that the speaker has an intention to do the act mentioned in the preceding statement.

앞에 오는 말이 나타내는 행동을 할 의도가 있음을 나타내는 표현.

쓰임Usage

‘ㄹ’을 제외한 받침 있는 동사 뒤에 붙여 쓰고, 주로 '-을까 봐'로 쓴다.

예문Examples

내일부터는 조금 일찍 일어나서 아침을 챙겨 먹을까 봐.

I think I'll get up a little earlier from tomorrow and have breakfast.

돌아오지도 않을 사람이니 이제는 잊을까 봐.

Since he's not going to come back anyway, I think I'll just forget about him now.

올해부터는 교양도 쌓을 겸해서 책을 열심히 읽을까 봐요.

I think I'll read books diligently from this year on, partly to build my knowledge.

대화In conversation

요리 학원에 가서 수업이라도 들을까 봐.

I think I'll go to a cooking academy and take a class or something.

갑자기 왜? 요리를 해야 할 일이 있어?

Why all of a sudden? Is there something you need to cook?

An expression used to indicate that the speaker is worried or afraid that the situation mentioned in the preceding statement may happen.

앞에 오는 말이 나타내는 상황이 될 것을 걱정하거나 두려워함을 나타내는 표현.

쓰임Usage

‘ㄹ’을 제외한 받침 있는 동사와 형용사 또는 ‘-었-’ 뒤에 붙여 쓰고, 주로 '-을까 봐(서)'로 쓴다.

예문Examples

지수는 숙제를 안 해 와서 선생님께 야단을 맞을까 봐 무서웠다.

Jisu was scared she might get scolded by the teacher for not doing her homework.

나는 혹시 메일이 안 갔을까 봐 한 번 더 똑같은 메일을 보냈다.

I was worried the email might not have gone through, so I sent the same one again.

시험 답안지를 낸 유민이는 혹시나 실수를 했을까 봐 걱정이 되었다.

Yumin was worried she might have made a mistake on the exam answer sheet.

대화In conversation

엄마, 이 옷이 사이즈도 맞고 예뻐요. 고맙습니다.

Mom, this outfit fits well and looks nice. Thanks.

다행이네. 너한테 작을까 봐서 조금 걱정했는데.

Good thing. I was a bit worried it might be too small for you.

관련 문법Related grammar

Other expressions you will meet alongside this one.

-게 되다 -ge doeda An expression used to indicate that something will become the state or situation mentioned in the preceding statement. TOPIK 2 -기 때문에 -gi ttaemun -기 때문이다 An expression used to indicate that the preceding statement is the reason or cause for the following incident. TOPIK 2 -기로 하다 -giro hada An expression used to decide or promise the performance of the act mentioned in the preceding statement. TOPIK 2 -는 것 -neun geot -은 것 · -ㄴ 것 · -을 것 An expression used to enable a non-noun word to be used as a noun in a sentence or to be used in front of '이다' (be). TOPIK 2 -는 것 같다 -neun geot gatda -ㄴ 것 같다 · -은 것 같다 · -ㄹ 것 같다 An expression used to indicate that the statement is a guess. TOPIK 2 -는 동안에 -neun dong-an -는 동안 An expression used to indicate the time, for which the act or state mentioned in the preceding statement lasts. TOPIK 2

자주 묻는 질문Common questions

What does -을까 보다 mean in Korean?

-을까 보다 is a expression introduced at 2급 (TOPIK 2). An expression used to indicate that the speaker has an intention to do the act mentioned in the preceding statement. It has 2 distinct senses, all listed on this page.

What is the difference between -을까 보다 and -ㄹ까 보다?

None in meaning — they are two shapes of the same expression, and which one appears is decided by the sound in front of it, not by what you want to say.

What TOPIK level is -을까 보다?

2급 — TOPIK 2, elementary. It is one of 45 grammar points at that level.

Definition, usage note, examples and dialogue from the 국립국어원 한국어기초사전, used under CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.