🤔

Doubtful Question: -(으)ㄹ까요?

Keywords
-(으)ㄹ까요?
Lesson #
S
Done
Section
Intermediate Grammar
🎯
TL;DR 🦄
  • 🤔 -(으)ㄹ까요? [-(eu)l-kka-yo] asks a doubtful/curious question: “I wonder if…?”, “Do you think…?”, or “Shall we…?”
  • 🔮 It is used when the speaker is not fully sure and wants the listener’s thought, guess, or agreement.
  • 🌧️ 내일 비가 올까요? [nae-il bi-ga ol-kka-yo] = Do you think it will rain tomorrow? / I wonder if it will rain tomorrow.
🔊
🎧 Iru Helper Note — Use
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets and listen to 갈까요? [gal-kka-yo], 먹을까요? [meo-geul-kka-yo], 괜찮을까요? [gwaen-cha-neul-kka-yo], and 비가 올까요? [bi-ga ol-kka-yo]. Listen for the curious rising question sound.
 

🌈 The Big Picture

Use -(으)ㄹ까요? when you ask a question with uncertainty, curiosity, or shared decision-making.
 
It can mean:
  • “I wonder if…?”
  • “Do you think…?”
  • “Will it…?”
  • “Shall we…?”
  • “Should I…?”
 
Examples:
  • 내일 날씨가 좋을까요?
      • [nae-il nal-ssi-ga jo-eul-kka-yo] — Do you think the weather will be good tomorrow? ☀️
      내일 [nae-il] = tomorrow; 날씨 [nal-ssi] = weather.
  • 지금 갈까요?
      • [ji-geum gal-kka-yo] — Shall we go now? / Should I go now? 🚶
      지금 [ji-geum] = now; 가다 [ga-da] = to go.
  • 이게 맞을까요?
      • [i-ge ma-jeul-kka-yo] — Do you think this is right? ✅
      맞다 [mat-da] = to be right/correct.
 
The key feeling is curious uncertainty. You are opening space for another person’s guess, opinion, or decision.

🎨 The Core -(으)ㄹ까요? Family

1. Wondering / guessing about the future

  • 내일 비가 올까요?
      • [nae-il bi-ga ol-kka-yo] — Do you think it will rain tomorrow?
  • 사람이 많을까요?
      • [sa-ra-mi ma-neul-kka-yo] — Do you think there will be many people?
  • 가격이 비쌀까요?
      • [ga-gyeo-gi bi-ssal-kka-yo] — Do you think the price will be expensive?
 

2. Asking for a shared decision

  • 우리 같이 갈까요?
      • [u-ri ga-chi gal-kka-yo] — Shall we go together?
  • 여기서 기다릴까요?
      • [yeo-gi-seo gi-da-ril-kka-yo] — Shall we wait here?
  • 커피 마실까요?
      • [keo-pi ma-sil-kka-yo] — Shall we drink coffee?
 

3. Asking what you should do

  • 제가 도와드릴까요?
      • [je-ga do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo] — Shall I help you?
  • 문을 닫을까요?
      • [mu-neul da-deul-kka-yo] — Should I close the door?
  • 다시 설명할까요?
      • [da-si seol-myeong-hal-kka-yo] — Should I explain again?
 

4. Doubting whether something is okay/correct

  • 이 표현이 자연스러울까요?
      • [i pyo-hyeo-ni ja-yeon-seu-reo-ul-kka-yo] — Do you think this expression sounds natural?
  • 이 방법이 괜찮을까요?
      • [i bang-beo-bi gwaen-cha-neul-kka-yo] — Do you think this method is okay?
  • 시간이 충분할까요?
      • [si-ga-ni chung-bun-hal-kka-yo] — Do you think there will be enough time?

🛠️ How It Works in a Sentence

The basic sentence logic:
 
Verb/adjective/noun + -(으)ㄹ까요?
 
Examples:
  • 오늘 시간이 있을까요?
      • [o-neul si-ga-ni i-sseul-kka-yo] — Do you think there will be time today?
  • 이 옷이 작을까요?
      • [i o-si ja-geul-kka-yo] — Do you think these clothes will be small?
  • 그분이 선생님일까요?
      • [geu-bu-ni seon-saeng-ni-mil-kka-yo] — Do you think that person is a teacher?
 
Useful question starters:
  • 혹시 [hok-si] — by any chance
  • 아마 [a-ma] — probably
  • 정말 [jeong-mal] — really
  • 같이 [ga-chi] — together
  • 제가 [je-ga] — I / me

🧩 General Formation Rule

Vowel-ending stems or ㄹ-ending stems: -ㄹ까요?

  • 가다 [ga-da] → 갈까요? [gal-kka-yo] — shall we go? / will it go?
  • 보다 [bo-da] → 볼까요? [bol-kka-yo] — shall we look/watch?
  • 기다리다 [gi-da-ri-da] → 기다릴까요? [gi-da-ril-kka-yo] — shall we wait?
  • 만들다 [man-deul-da] → 만들까요? [man-deul-kka-yo] — shall we make it?
      • ㄹ-ending stem keeps ㄹ and adds 까요.
 

Consonant-ending stems: -을까요?

  • 먹다 [meok-da] → 먹을까요? [meo-geul-kka-yo] — shall we eat?
  • 읽다 [ik-da] → 읽을까요? [il-geul-kka-yo] — shall we read?
  • 닫다 [dat-da] → 닫을까요? [da-deul-kka-yo] — should I close it?
 

Nouns with 이다: 일까요?

  • 학생이다 [hak-saeng-i-da] → 학생일까요? [hak-saeng-il-kka-yo] — do you think they are a student?
  • 문제이다 [mun-je-i-da] → 문제일까요? [mun-je-il-kka-yo] — do you think it is a problem?
  • 정답이다 [jeong-da-bi-da] → 정답일까요? [jeong-da-bil-kka-yo] — do you think it is the correct answer?
 

Past: -았/었을까요?

  • 끝나다 [kkeun-na-da] → 끝났을까요? [kkeun-na-sseul-kka-yo] — do you think it ended?
  • 도착하다 [do-chak-ha-da] → 도착했을까요? [do-cha-kae-sseul-kka-yo] — do you think they arrived?
  • 알다 [al-da] → 알았을까요? [a-ra-sseul-kka-yo] — do you think they knew/found out?

🚨 Nuance: Guess, Suggestion, or Offer?

The same form can have different meanings depending on subject and context.
 

Guess / doubtful question

  • 내일 비가 올까요?
      • [nae-il bi-ga ol-kka-yo] — Do you think it will rain tomorrow?
 

Suggestion

  • 우리 점심 먹을까요?
      • [u-ri jeom-sim meo-geul-kka-yo] — Shall we eat lunch?
 

Offer

  • 제가 도와드릴까요?
      • [je-ga do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo] — Shall I help you?
 
So ask: Am I guessing, suggesting, or offering? The Korean form is the same, but the English translation changes.

🔍 -(으)ㄹ까요? vs Related Grammar

-(으)ㄹ까요?

Curious/doubtful question, suggestion, or offer.
  • 갈까요?
      • [gal-kka-yo] — Shall we go? / Should I go?
 

-(으)ㄹ까 하다

“I’m thinking of…” — a possible plan in the speaker’s mind.
  • 갈까 해요.
      • [gal-kka hae-yo] — I’m thinking of going.
 

-(으)ㄹ래요?

Asks about the listener’s willingness/preference.
  • 갈래요?
      • [gal-lae-yo] — Do you want to go?
 

-(으)ㄹ게요

Speaker’s promise/decision.
  • 제가 갈게요.
      • [je-ga gal-ge-yo] — I’ll go.
 

-(으)ㄹ까요 보다 / -(으)ㄹ까 봐

Different patterns: “I think maybe…” or “I’m afraid/worried that…” depending on form. Do not confuse them with the direct question -(으)ㄹ까요?.

📚 Cross-check note

This lesson was checked against korean.go.kr, including National Institute of Korean Language guidance that -(으)ㄹ까 can be used as an ending for a question, a conjecture about something, or asking the listener’s intention/opinion. Korean.go.kr also notes that some service-style overuse like 하셨을까요? may be grammatically possible but can sound awkward in formal settings where a direct polite question may be better. ✅

🪞 Synonym Alert

Depending on context, -(으)ㄹ까요? can translate as:
  • “Do you think…?”
  • “I wonder if…?”
  • “Will it…?”
  • “Shall we…?”
  • “Should I…?”
  • “Would you like me to…?”
 
Useful chunks:
  • 갈까요? [gal-kka-yo] — Shall we go?
  • 먹을까요? [meo-geul-kka-yo] — Shall we eat?
  • 괜찮을까요? [gwaen-cha-neul-kka-yo] — Do you think it will be okay?
  • 맞을까요? [ma-jeul-kka-yo] — Do you think it is correct?
  • 도와드릴까요? [do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo] — Shall I help you?
  • 비가 올까요? [bi-ga ol-kka-yo] — Do you think it will rain?

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

  • ❌ Using -(으)ㄹ까요? only for future tense → ✅ it often shows doubt, suggestion, or offer, not just future.
  • ❌ Confusing 갈까요? and 갈게요 → ✅ 갈까요? asks; 갈게요 promises/decides.
  • ❌ Confusing 갈까요? and 갈래요? → ✅ 갈까요? suggests; 갈래요? asks what the listener wants.
  • ❌ Adding extra 으 after ㄹ-stems → ✅ 만들까요?, not 만들을까요?.
  • ❌ Overusing hyper-polite service style like 가능하실까요? → ✅ sometimes 가능하십니까? or 가능하세요? is clearer.
 
🎉 Now you can ask doubtful, gentle, and collaborative questions: 갈까요?, 먹을까요?, 괜찮을까요?, 비가 올까요?. Curious-question grammar unlocked. 🤔✨
 

Try this exercise

Instructions: Complete each sentence with the correct -(으)ㄹ까요? form. Then open the Answer toggle.
1. 가다 → 지금 ＿＿＿＿?
[ga-da → ji-geum ＿＿＿＿]
Shall we go now?
Answer
갈까요 [gal-kka-yo].
2. 먹다 → 점심 ＿＿＿＿?
[meok-da → jeom-sim ＿＿＿＿]
Shall we eat lunch?
Answer
먹을까요 [meo-geul-kka-yo].
3. 오다 → 내일 비가 ＿＿＿＿?
[o-da → nae-il bi-ga ＿＿＿＿]
Do you think it will rain tomorrow?
Answer
올까요 [ol-kka-yo].
4. 괜찮다 → 이 방법이 ＿＿＿＿?
[gwaen-chan-ta → i bang-beo-bi ＿＿＿＿]
Do you think this method will be okay?
Answer
괜찮을까요 [gwaen-cha-neul-kka-yo].
5. 맞다 → 이 답이 ＿＿＿＿?
[mat-da → i da-bi ＿＿＿＿]
Do you think this answer is correct?
Answer
맞을까요 [ma-jeul-kka-yo].
6. 닫다 → 문을 ＿＿＿＿?
[dat-da → mu-neul ＿＿＿＿]
Should I close the door?
Answer
닫을까요 [da-deul-kka-yo].
7. 만들다 → 같이 ＿＿＿＿?
[man-deul-da → ga-chi ＿＿＿＿]
Shall we make it together?
Answer
만들까요 [man-deul-kka-yo].
8. Which asks a suggestion?
① 갈까요? / ② 갈게요
Answer
① — 갈까요? asks “Shall we go?”
9. Which is a promise/decision?
① 갈까요? / ② 갈게요
Answer
② — 갈게요 means “I’ll go.”
10. Which asks preference?
① 갈까요? / ② 갈래요?
Answer
② — 갈래요? asks “Do you want to go?”
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 지금 [ji-geum] → now
  • 점심 [jeom-sim] → lunch
  • 비가 오다 [bi-ga o-da] → to rain
  • 방법 [bang-beop] → method
  • 답 [dap] → answer
  • 문 [mun] → door
  • 같이 [ga-chi] → together
Tip 💡 -(으)ㄹ까요? opens the decision or guess to the listener.
🚀
Want more reps? The Practice Hub below trains guessing, suggestions, offers, and form choice with -(으)ㄹ까요?.
 
🤔
🎯 Practice Hub — Doubtful Question: -(으)ㄹ까요?
 
Welcome to the curious-question lab. You’ll practice guessing, suggesting, offering, and asking “Do you think…?” in Korean. 🤔
 
🔊 Audio reminder: Use
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets to hear the rising question tone before repeating each answer.
 
📝 Instructions: Fill each blank with a natural -(으)ㄹ까요? form. Watch the stem ending and the meaning.
 

Exercise 1 — Future Guess 🔮

A. 내일 비가 ＿＿＿＿?
[nae-il bi-ga ＿＿＿＿]
Do you think it will rain tomorrow?
Base: 오다 [o-da]
Answer
올까요 [ol-kka-yo].
B. 사람이 ＿＿＿＿?
[sa-ra-mi ＿＿＿＿]
Do you think there will be many people?
Base: 많다 [man-ta]
Answer
많을까요 [ma-neul-kka-yo].
C. 가격이 ＿＿＿＿?
[ga-gyeo-gi ＿＿＿＿]
Do you think the price will be expensive?
Base: 비싸다 [bi-ssa-da]
Answer
비쌀까요 [bi-ssal-kka-yo].
D. 오늘 안에 ＿＿＿＿?
[o-neul a-ne ＿＿＿＿]
Do you think it will end today?
Base: 끝나다 [kkeun-na-da]
Answer
끝날까요 [kkeun-nal-kka-yo].
E. 그분이 ＿＿＿＿?
[geu-bu-ni ＿＿＿＿]
Do you think that person will know?
Base: 알다 [al-da]
Answer
알까요 [al-kka-yo].
F. 시간이 ＿＿＿＿?
[si-ga-ni ＿＿＿＿]
Do you think there will be time?
Base: 있다 [it-da]
Answer
있을까요 [i-sseul-kka-yo].
G. 이게 문제 ＿＿＿＿?
[i-ge mun-je ＿＿＿＿]
Do you think this is a problem?
Base: 문제이다 [mun-je-i-da]
Answer
문제일까요 [mun-je-il-kka-yo].
H. 내일 더 ＿＿＿＿?
[nae-il deo ＿＿＿＿]
Do you think it will be cold tomorrow?
Base: 춥다 [chup-da]
Answer
추울까요 [chu-ul-kka-yo].
I. 이 방법이 ＿＿＿＿?
[i bang-beo-bi ＿＿＿＿]
Do you think this method will work?
Base: 되다 [doe-da]
Answer
될까요 [doel-kka-yo].
J. 금방 ＿＿＿＿?
[geum-bang ＿＿＿＿]
Do you think they will come soon?
Base: 오다 [o-da]
Answer
올까요 [ol-kka-yo].
🔮
Vocabulary Box
  • 내일 [nae-il] → tomorrow
  • 가격 [ga-gyeok] → price
  • 오늘 안에 [o-neul a-ne] → within today
  • 문제 [mun-je] → problem
  • 방법 [bang-beop] → method
  • 금방 [geum-bang] → soon
Tip 💡 If you are guessing and asking someone’s thought, use -(으)ㄹ까요?.
 

Exercise 2 — Suggestions: “Shall we…?” 🤝

A. 우리 같이 ＿＿＿＿?
[u-ri ga-chi ＿＿＿＿]
Shall we go together?
Base: 가다
Answer
갈까요 [gal-kka-yo].
B. 커피 ＿＿＿＿?
[keo-pi ＿＿＿＿]
Shall we drink coffee?
Base: 마시다
Answer
마실까요 [ma-sil-kka-yo].
C. 여기서 ＿＿＿＿?
[yeo-gi-seo ＿＿＿＿]
Shall we wait here?
Base: 기다리다
Answer
기다릴까요 [gi-da-ril-kka-yo].
D. 이 영화 ＿＿＿＿?
[i yeong-hwa ＿＿＿＿]
Shall we watch this movie?
Base: 보다
Answer
볼까요 [bol-kka-yo].
E. 다른 데 ＿＿＿＿?
[da-reun de ＿＿＿＿]
Shall we look somewhere else?
Base: 찾아보다
Answer
찾아볼까요 [cha-ja-bol-kka-yo].
F. 택시 ＿＿＿＿?
[taek-si ＿＿＿＿]
Shall we take a taxi?
Base: 타다
Answer
탈까요 [tal-kka-yo].
G. 사진 ＿＿＿＿?
[sa-jin ＿＿＿＿]
Shall we take a photo?
Base: 찍다
Answer
찍을까요 [jji-geul-kka-yo].
H. 먼저 ＿＿＿＿?
[meon-jeo ＿＿＿＿]
Shall we order first?
Base: 주문하다
Answer
주문할까요 [ju-mun-hal-kka-yo].
I. 같이 ＿＿＿＿?
[ga-chi ＿＿＿＿]
Shall we make it together?
Base: 만들다
Answer
만들까요 [man-deul-kka-yo].
J. 잠깐 ＿＿＿＿?
[jam-kkan ＿＿＿＿]
Shall we rest for a moment?
Base: 쉬다
Answer
쉴까요 [swil-kka-yo].
🤝
Suggestion Box
  • 같이 [ga-chi] → together
  • 여기서 [yeo-gi-seo] → here
  • 다른 데 [da-reun de] → somewhere else
  • 택시 [taek-si] → taxi
  • 먼저 [meon-jeo] → first
  • 잠깐 [jam-kkan] → for a moment
Tip 💡 With 우리 or shared action, -(으)ㄹ까요? often means “Shall we…?”
 

Exercise 3 — Offers: “Shall I…?” 🙋

A. 제가 ＿＿＿＿?
[je-ga ＿＿＿＿]
Shall I help you?
Base: 도와드리다
Answer
도와드릴까요 [do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo].
B. 문을 ＿＿＿＿?
[mu-neul ＿＿＿＿]
Should I close the door?
Base: 닫다
Answer
닫을까요 [da-deul-kka-yo].
C. 불을 ＿＿＿＿?
[bu-reul ＿＿＿＿]
Should I turn on the light?
Base: 켜다
Answer
켤까요 [kyeol-kka-yo].
D. 다시 ＿＿＿＿?
[da-si ＿＿＿＿]
Should I explain again?
Base: 설명하다
Answer
설명할까요 [seol-myeong-hal-kka-yo].
E. 제가 ＿＿＿＿?
[je-ga ＿＿＿＿]
Should I call?
Base: 전화하다
Answer
전화할까요 [jeon-hwa-hal-kka-yo].
F. 제가 먼저 ＿＿＿＿?
[je-ga meon-jeo ＿＿＿＿]
Should I start first?
Base: 시작하다
Answer
시작할까요 [si-ja-kal-kka-yo].
G. 제가 이것을 ＿＿＿＿?
[je-ga i-geo-seul ＿＿＿＿]
Should I read this?
Base: 읽다
Answer
읽을까요 [il-geul-kka-yo].
H. 제가 가방을 ＿＿＿＿?
[je-ga ga-bang-eul ＿＿＿＿]
Should I hold/carry the bag?
Base: 들다
Answer
들까요 [deul-kka-yo].
I. 제가 이메일을 ＿＿＿＿?
[je-ga i-me-i-reul ＿＿＿＿]
Should I send the email?
Base: 보내다
Answer
보낼까요 [bo-nael-kka-yo].
J. 제가 예약을 ＿＿＿＿?
[je-ga ye-ya-geul ＿＿＿＿]
Should I make the reservation?
Base: 하다
Answer
할까요 [hal-kka-yo].
🙋
Offer Box
  • 제가 [je-ga] → I
  • 도와드리다 [do-wa-deu-ri-da] → to help someone politely
  • 켜다 [kyeo-da] → to turn on
  • 설명하다 [seol-myeong-ha-da] → to explain
  • 보내다 [bo-nae-da] → to send
  • 예약 [ye-yak] → reservation
Tip 💡 With 제가, this often means “Shall I…?”
 

Exercise 4 — Form Choice 🧩

A. 듣다 → 음악을 ＿＿＿＿?
[deut-da → eu-ma-geul ＿＿＿＿]
Shall we listen to music?
Answer
들을까요 [deu-reul-kka-yo].
B. 걷다 → 같이 ＿＿＿＿?
[geot-da → ga-chi ＿＿＿＿]
Shall we walk together?
Answer
걸을까요 [geo-reul-kka-yo].
C. 돕다 → 제가 ＿＿＿＿?
[dop-da → je-ga ＿＿＿＿]
Shall I help?
Answer
도울까요 [do-ul-kka-yo].
D. 춥다 → 내일 ＿＿＿＿?
[chup-da → nae-il ＿＿＿＿]
Do you think it will be cold tomorrow?
Answer
추울까요 [chu-ul-kka-yo].
E. 살다 → 어디에서 ＿＿＿＿?
[sal-da → eo-di-e-seo ＿＿＿＿]
Where do you think they will live?
Answer
살까요 [sal-kka-yo].
F. 놀다 → 주말에 ＿＿＿＿?
[nol-da → ju-ma-re ＿＿＿＿]
Do you think they will hang out on the weekend?
Answer
놀까요 [nol-kka-yo].
G. 학생이다 → 그분이 ＿＿＿＿?
[hak-saeng-i-da → geu-bu-ni ＿＿＿＿]
Do you think that person is a student?
Answer
학생일까요 [hak-saeng-il-kka-yo].
H. 끝나다 → 벌써 ＿＿＿＿?
[kkeun-na-da → beol-sseo ＿＿＿＿]
Do you think it already ended?
Answer
끝났을까요 [kkeun-na-sseul-kka-yo].
I. 도착하다 → 지금쯤 ＿＿＿＿?
[do-chak-ha-da → ji-geum-jjeum ＿＿＿＿]
Do you think they arrived by now?
Answer
도착했을까요 [do-cha-kae-sseul-kka-yo].
J. 맞다 → 이게 ＿＿＿＿?
[mat-da → i-ge ＿＿＿＿]
Do you think this is correct?
Answer
맞을까요 [ma-jeul-kka-yo].
🧩
Form Box
  • vowel stem → -ㄹ까요?
  • consonant stem → -을까요?
  • ㄹ stem → keep ㄹ + 까요?
  • noun + 이다 → 일까요?
  • past → -았/었을까요?
Tip 💡 만들다 → 만들까요?, not 만들을까요?.
 

Exercise 5 — Meaning Choice 🛡️

A. Which means “Shall we go?”
① 갈까요? / ② 갈게요
Answer
① — 갈까요?.
B. Which means “I’ll go”?
① 갈까요? / ② 갈게요
Answer
② — 갈게요.
C. Which means “Do you want to go?”
① 갈까요? / ② 갈래요?
Answer
② — 갈래요?.
D. Which means “I’m thinking of going”?
① 갈까요? / ② 갈까 해요
Answer
② — 갈까 해요.
E. 도와드릴까요? usually means:
Answer
“Shall I help you?”
F. 내일 비가 올까요? usually means:
Answer
“Do you think it will rain tomorrow?”
G. 커피 마실까요? usually means:
Answer
“Shall we drink coffee?”
H. Correct form:
① 만들까요? / ② 만들을까요?
Answer
① — 만들까요?.
I. Correct form:
① 먹을까요? / ② 먹까요?
Answer
① — 먹을까요?.
J. Core meaning of -(으)ㄹ까요??
Answer
A doubtful/curious question ending used for guessing, suggestions, offers, and asking the listener’s thought.
🛡️
Final Check
  • 갈까요? [gal-kka-yo] → Shall we go?
  • 먹을까요? [meo-geul-kka-yo] → Shall we eat?
  • 올까요? [ol-kka-yo] → Do you think it will come/rain?
  • 괜찮을까요? [gwaen-cha-neul-kka-yo] → Do you think it will be okay?
  • 도와드릴까요? [do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo] → Shall I help you?
  • 학생일까요? [hak-saeng-il-kka-yo] → Do you think they are a student?
Tip 💡 Same Korean ending, different English: guess, suggest, or offer.
 
🎉 Doubtful-question grammar mastered! You can now ask curious, collaborative Korean questions: 갈까요?, 먹을까요?, 비가 올까요?, and 도와드릴까요?. Your Korean can wonder politely now. 🤔✨