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-을까Korean sentence ending · TOPIK 1

-eulkka

TOPIK 1 1급Sentence Endings 종결 어미2 senses

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

형태Forms

-을까-ㄹ까을까요-ㄹ까요

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

(informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to indicate a question or assumption about something.

(두루낮춤으로) 어떤 일에 대한 의문이나 추측을 나타내는 종결 어미.

쓰임Usage

Attaches after verbs and adjectives ending in a consonant other than ㄹ or the past -었-.

‘ㄹ’을 제외한 받침 있는 동사와 형용사 또는 ‘-었-’ 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.

예문Examples

이제 수업이 끝났을까?

Do you think the class is over by now?

저 방에서 무슨 일이 일어났을까?

What do you think happened in that room?

지금쯤이면 지수가 공항에 도착했을까?

Do you think Jisu has arrived at the airport by now?

대화In conversation

저 가게에 우리도 줄 서서 아이스크림 사 먹자.

Let's stand in line and buy ice cream at that store too.

우리 차례에도 아이스크림이 남아 있을까?

Do you think there will still be ice cream left by the time it's our turn?

(informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to ask for the listener's opinion.

(두루낮춤으로) 듣는 사람의 의사를 물을 때 쓰는 종결 어미.

쓰임Usage

Attaches after verbs and adjectives ending in a consonant other than ㄹ or the past -었-.

‘ㄹ’을 제외한 받침 있는 동사와 형용사 또는 ‘-었-’ 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.

예문Examples

오랜만에 학교까지 걸을까?

Shall we walk to school for the first time in a while?

우리 마실 것 좀 사 먹을까?

Shall we buy something to drink?

내일 아침을 빵을 먹을까?

Shall we have bread for breakfast tomorrow?

대화In conversation

이불보가 너무 커서 혼자 개기가 힘드네.

The blanket is too big to fold by myself.

내가 이쪽을 잡을까?

Shall I hold this side?

관련 문법Related grammar

Other sentence endings you will meet alongside this one.

-고 -go -고요 (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending usually used when answering, omitting the question that should follow and finishing the… TOPIK 1 -습니까 -seupnikka -ㅂ니까 (formal, highly addressee-raising) A sentence-final ending used when the speaker asks the listener politely. TOPIK 1 -습니다 -seupnida -ㅂ니다 (formal, highly addressee-raising) A sentence-final ending used to explain the present action, state, or fact politely. TOPIK 1 -어 -eo -아 · -여 · -야 (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to describe a certain fact, ask a question, give an order, or advise. TOPIK 1 -으세요 -euseyo -세요. -으셔요 · -셔요 · -으시어요 (informal addressee-raising) A sentence-final ending used to describe, ask a question, order, and request. TOPIK 1 -으십시오 -eusipsio -십시오 (formal, highly addressee-raising) A sentence-final ending used to politely order or request the listener to do something. TOPIK 1

자주 묻는 질문Common questions

What does -을까 mean in Korean?

-을까 is a sentence ending introduced at 1급 (TOPIK 1). (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to indicate a question or assumption about something. It has 2 distinct senses, all listed on this page.

When do you use -을까?

Attaches after verbs and adjectives ending in a consonant other than ㄹ or the past -었-. The other shape is -ㄹ까, 을까요, -ㄹ까요 — same point, different environment.

What is the difference between -을까 and -ㄹ까?

None in meaning — they are two shapes of the same sentence ending, 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?

1급 — TOPIK 1, beginner. 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.