😟

Nuance of -ㄹ세라 (Fear/Worry)

Agent Progress
Built
Build Order
176
Keywords
-ㄹ세라
Lesson #
S
Done
Section
Advanced Grammar
🎯
TL;DR 🦄
  • 😟 -(으)ㄹ세라 means “for fear that…” / “lest…” and marks something the speaker is worried might happen.
  • 📜 It sounds literary, formal, or emotionally heightened; in everyday speech, -(으)ㄹ까 봐 is usually more natural.
  • 🛡️ It often explains a careful action: someone lowers their voice, holds a hand, checks a message, or hurries because they fear a bad result.
🔊
🎧 Iru Helper Note — Open
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets whenever you want to hear a sentence out loud. Type any Korean word or sentence from this lesson into the widget and let your ears do the grammar push-ups. 🏋️‍♀️
 

🌈 The Big Picture

-(으)ㄹ세라 is a connective ending used when someone acts carefully because they are worried something might happen. Think of it as the elegant, bookish cousin of “because I was afraid that…” 😬
 
It is common in writing, literature, commentary, and polished narration. You might see it in sentences about a child falling, a secret being discovered, rain starting, a deadline being missed, or a document being lost. In ordinary conversation, Korean speakers usually reach for -(으)ㄹ까 봐 instead.
 
The emotional flavor matters: -ㄹ세라 does not simply mean “if.” It means the speaker is guarding against a feared outcome — a tiny grammar umbrella for anxious clouds. ☂️
 

🎨 The Core -(으)ㄹ세라 Family

Use -ㄹ세라 after a vowel-ending stem and -을세라 after a consonant-ending stem.
  • 오다 (to come) → 올세라 — for fear that something/someone might come 🌧️
  • 가다 (to go) → 갈세라 — for fear that something/someone might go 🚶
  • 깨다 (to wake up) → 깰세라 — for fear that someone might wake up 🛏️
  • 보이다 (to be seen) → 보일세라 — for fear that something might be seen 👀
  • 들키다 (to be discovered/caught) → 들킬세라 — for fear that something might be discovered 🕵️
  • 넘어지다 (to fall down) → 넘어질세라 — for fear that someone might fall 🤕
  • 늦다 (to be late) → 늦을세라 — for fear that someone might be late ⏰
  • 잃다 (to lose) → 잃을세라 — for fear that someone might lose something 🧳
  • 젖다 (to get wet) → 젖을세라 — for fear that something might get wet ☔
  • 다치다 (to get hurt) → 다칠세라 — for fear that someone might get hurt 🩹
 
The action before or after the phrase shows the protective response: 손을 잡다 (to hold a hand), 목소리를 낮추다 (to lower one’s voice), 숨을 죽이다 (to hold one’s breath / stay silent), 우산을 씌우다 (to hold an umbrella over someone), 문서를 확인하다 (to check a document), 메시지를 다시 읽다 (to read a message again), and 발걸음을 재촉하다 (to hurry one’s steps). These are all “prevent-the-bad-thing” actions. 🧯
 

🛠️ How It Works in a Sentence

1. Protecting someone from a bad result 🩹
아이가 넘어질세라 할머니가 손을 꼭 잡았어요.
[a-i-ga neo-meo-jil-se-ra hal-meo-ni-ga so-neul kkok ja-ba-sseo-yo]
Grandmother held the child’s hand tightly for fear the child might fall.
  • 아이 = child, 할머니 = grandmother, 손 = hand, 꼭 잡다 = to hold tightly.
 
2. Avoiding discovery or attention 🕵️
비밀이 들킬세라 민수는 목소리를 낮췄어요.
[bi-mi-ri deul-kil-se-ra min-su-neun mok-so-ri-reul nat-chwo-sseo-yo]
Minsu lowered their voice for fear the secret might be discovered.
  • 비밀 = secret, 민수 = Minsu, 목소리 = voice, 낮추다 = to lower.
 
3. Guarding against loss, delay, or damage 🧳
여권을 잃을세라 수지는 가방을 계속 확인했어요.
[yeo-gwo-neul i-reul-se-ra su-ji-neun ga-bang-eul gye-sok hwa-gin-hae-sseo-yo]
Suji kept checking the bag for fear the passport might be lost.
  • 여권 = passport, 수지 = Suji, 가방 = bag, 계속 확인하다 = to keep checking.
 
4. Weather or outside circumstances 🌧️
비가 올세라 준호는 창문을 닫았어요.
[bi-ga ol-se-ra jun-ho-neun chang-mu-neul da-da-sseo-yo]
Junho closed the window for fear it might rain.
  • 비 = rain, 준호 = Junho, 창문 = window, 닫다 = to close.
 
5. Written-style narration 📜
소문이 퍼질세라 직원들은 말을 아꼈어요.
[so-mu-ni peo-jil-se-ra ji-gwon-deu-reun ma-reul a-kkyeo-sseo-yo]
The employees were sparing with their words for fear the rumor might spread.
  • 소문 = rumor, 퍼지다 = to spread, 직원 = employee, 말을 아끼다 = to speak sparingly.
 

🧩 General Formation Rule

Verb/adjective stem + ㄹ세라 / 을세라
  • Vowel-ending stem: 오다 → 올세라, 가다 → 갈세라, 깨다 → 깰세라
  • Consonant-ending stem: 늦다 → 늦을세라, 잃다 → 잃을세라, 젖다 → 젖을세라
  • ㄹ-ending stem: keep the ㄹ naturally, as in 멀다 (to be far) → 멀세라, though many ㄹ-stem examples sound literary and should be used with care.
 
A common sentence rhythm is: feared result + -(으)ㄹ세라 + preventive action.
Example: 자료가 사라질세라 지연은 파일을 저장했어요. — Jiyeon saved the file for fear the materials might disappear. 💾
 

📚 Cross-check note

The meaning of -을세라 as a connective ending expressing concern that something might happen was cross-checked against National Institute of Korean Language material at korean.go.kr. ✅
 

🪞 Synonym Alert

  • -(으)ㄹ세라 → literary/written, “for fear that / lest.” It sounds polished, old-fashioned, dramatic, or narrative. 📜
  • -(으)ㄹ까 봐 → everyday spoken/written, “because I’m afraid that / in case.” It is the safer choice in normal conversation. 💬
  • 혹시 ... -면 어떡하나 해서 → spoken, explanatory, “because I was worried what if...” Use when explaining your own worry in a softer way. 🫣
 
Compare:
  • 아이가 넘어질세라 손을 잡았어요. — Literary/narrative: held the child’s hand lest the child fall.
  • 아이가 넘어질까 봐 손을 잡았어요. — Everyday: held the child’s hand because I was afraid the child might fall.
 

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

  • ❌ 아이가 넘어질세라요. → ✅ 아이가 넘어질세라 손을 잡았어요. (-(으)ㄹ세라 connects to another action; it is not a polite sentence ending.)
  • ❌ 비가 오을세라 → ✅ 비가 올세라 (vowel stem 오다 takes ㄹ세라, not 을세라.)
  • ❌ 늦ㄹ세라 → ✅ 늦을세라 (consonant stem 늦다 takes 을세라.)
  • ❌ Using -(으)ㄹ세라 in every casual chat → ✅ Use -(으)ㄹ까 봐 for ordinary conversation. (-ㄹ세라 is more literary.)
  • ❌ Treating it like plain “if” → ✅ It means “for fear that / lest,” so a worry or prevention action should be clear.
 
😮‍💨 Bottom line: -(으)ㄹ세라 is advanced worry grammar — elegant, cautious, and slightly dramatic, like grammar wearing a long coat in the rain. 🧥🌧️
 
Try this exercise
Instructions: Complete each sentence with the correct -(으)ㄹ세라 form. Read the Korean aloud, notice the worry, then open the Answer toggle to check the form and nuance.
1. 비가 ＿＿＿＿ 준호는 창문을 닫았어요.
[bi-ga ＿＿＿＿ jun-ho-neun chang-mu-neul da-da-sseo-yo]
Junho closed the window for fear it might rain. 🌧️
Answer
올세라 — 오다 is a vowel-ending stem, so use ㄹ세라: 올세라.
2. 아이가 ＿＿＿＿ 할머니가 손을 꼭 잡았어요.
[a-i-ga ＿＿＿＿ hal-meo-ni-ga so-neul kkok ja-ba-sseo-yo]
Grandmother held the child’s hand tightly for fear the child might fall. 🩹
Answer
넘어질세라 — 넘어지다 takes ㄹ세라: 넘어질세라.
3. 비밀이 ＿＿＿＿ 민수는 목소리를 낮췄어요.
[bi-mi-ri ＿＿＿＿ min-su-neun mok-so-ri-reul nat-chwo-sseo-yo]
Minsu lowered their voice for fear the secret might be discovered. 🕵️
Answer
들킬세라 — 들키다 means “to be discovered/caught,” and the stem takes ㄹ세라.
4. 여권을 ＿＿＿＿ 수지는 가방을 확인했어요.
[yeo-gwo-neul ＿＿＿＿ su-ji-neun ga-bang-eul hwa-gin-hae-sseo-yo]
Suji checked the bag for fear the passport might be lost. 🧳
Answer
잃을세라 — 잃다 has a consonant-ending stem, so use 을세라.
5. 회의에 ＿＿＿＿ 지연은 발걸음을 재촉했어요.
[hoe-ui-e ＿＿＿＿ ji-yeo-neun bal-geo-reu-meul jae-cho-kae-sseo-yo]
Jiyeon hurried for fear they might be late to the meeting. ⏰
Answer
늦을세라 — 늦다 has a consonant-ending stem, so use 을세라.
6. 종이가 ＿＿＿＿ 태호는 우산을 씌웠어요.
[jong-i-ga ＿＿＿＿ tae-ho-neun u-sa-neul ssui-wo-sseo-yo]
Taeho held an umbrella over it for fear the paper might get wet. 📄☔
Answer
젖을세라 — 젖다 has a consonant-ending stem, so use 을세라.
7. 사진이 ＿＿＿＿ 유나는 화면을 가렸어요.
[sa-ji-ni ＿＿＿＿ yu-na-neun hwa-myeo-neul ga-ryeo-sseo-yo]
Yuna covered the screen for fear the photo might be seen. 🖼️
Answer
보일세라 — 보이다 means “to be seen,” and takes ㄹ세라.
8. 아기가 ＿＿＿＿ 모두 숨을 죽였어요.
[a-gi-ga ＿＿＿＿ mo-du su-meul ju-gyeo-sseo-yo]
Everyone stayed silent for fear the baby might wake up. 🍼
Answer
깰세라 — 깨다 means “to wake up,” and takes ㄹ세라.
9. 소문이 ＿＿＿＿ 직원들은 말을 아꼈어요.
[so-mu-ni ＿＿＿＿ ji-gwon-deu-reun ma-reul a-kkyeo-sseo-yo]
The employees spoke sparingly for fear the rumor might spread. 📣
Answer
퍼질세라 — 퍼지다 takes ㄹ세라: 퍼질세라.
10. 자료가 ＿＿＿＿ 지연은 파일을 저장했어요.
[ja-ryo-ga ＿＿＿＿ ji-yeo-neun pa-i-reul jeo-jang-hae-sseo-yo]
Jiyeon saved the file for fear the materials might disappear. 💾
Answer
사라질세라 — 사라지다 means “to disappear,” and takes ㄹ세라.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 비 → rain
  • 오다 → to come; for rain, to fall
  • 창문 → window
  • 넘어지다 → to fall down
  • 비밀 → secret
  • 들키다 → to be discovered/caught
  • 여권 → passport
  • 잃다 → to lose
  • 늦다 → to be late
  • 젖다 → to get wet
  • 보이다 → to be seen
  • 깨다 → to wake up
  • 퍼지다 → to spread
  • 사라지다 → to disappear
Tip 💡 If the stem ends in a consonant, expect 을세라. If it ends in a vowel, expect ㄹ세라.
🚀
Want more reps? The Practice Hub below turns cautious literary grammar into confident recognition. 📜✨
 
📦
🎯 Practice Hub — Nuance of -ㄹ세라 (Fear/Worry)
 
Welcome to the careful-grammar gym: every sentence here has someone watching out for a feared result. 😟 You’ll practice form, meaning, literary nuance, and pitfall repair so -(으)ㄹ세라 feels less like fog and more like a well-labeled umbrella. ☂️
 
🔊 Audio reminder: Use
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets to hear any full sentence, especially the rhythm of 올세라, 늦을세라, and 들킬세라.
 
📝 Instructions: Complete each prompt before opening the Answer toggle. Focus on the feared result first, then choose the form that matches the stem and the situation.
 

Exercise 1 — Form Builder 🔧

A. 비가 ＿＿＿＿ 창문을 닫았어요.
[bi-ga ＿＿＿＿ chang-mu-neul da-da-sseo-yo]
I closed the window for fear it might rain. 🌧️
Answer
올세라 — 오다 → 올세라. Rain “comes/falls” in Korean.
B. 회의에 ＿＿＿＿ 발걸음을 재촉했어요.
[hoe-ui-e ＿＿＿＿ bal-geo-reu-meul jae-cho-kae-sseo-yo]
I hurried my steps for fear I might be late to the meeting. 🏃
Answer
늦을세라 — 늦다 ends in a consonant, so use 을세라.
C. 아이를 ＿＿＿＿ 손을 꼭 잡았어요.
[a-i-reul ＿＿＿＿ so-neul kkok ja-ba-sseo-yo]
I held the child’s hand tightly for fear the child might be lost. 🧒
Answer
잃을세라 — 잃다 → 잃을세라. The feared result is losing the child.
D. 아기가 ＿＿＿＿ 모두 숨을 죽였어요.
[a-gi-ga ＿＿＿＿ mo-du su-meul ju-gyeo-sseo-yo]
Everyone stayed silent for fear the baby might wake up. 🍼
Answer
깰세라 — 깨다 → 깰세라.
E. 여권을 ＿＿＿＿ 가방을 계속 확인했어요.
[yeo-gwo-neul ＿＿＿＿ ga-bang-eul gye-sok hwa-gin-hae-sseo-yo]
I kept checking the bag for fear the passport might be lost. 🧳
Answer
잃을세라 — 잃다 has a consonant-ending stem.
F. 비밀이 ＿＿＿＿ 목소리를 낮췄어요.
[bi-mi-ri ＿＿＿＿ mok-so-ri-reul nat-chwo-sseo-yo]
I lowered my voice for fear the secret might be discovered. 🤫
Answer
들킬세라 — 들키다 → 들킬세라.
G. 종이가 ＿＿＿＿ 우산을 씌웠어요.
[jong-i-ga ＿＿＿＿ u-sa-neul ssui-wo-sseo-yo]
I held an umbrella over the paper for fear it might get wet. 📄
Answer
젖을세라 — 젖다 → 젖을세라.
H. 사진이 ＿＿＿＿ 화면을 가렸어요.
[sa-ji-ni ＿＿＿＿ hwa-myeo-neul ga-ryeo-sseo-yo]
I covered the screen for fear the photo might be seen. 🖼️
Answer
보일세라 — 보이다 → 보일세라.
I. 소문이 ＿＿＿＿ 직원들은 말을 아꼈어요.
[so-mu-ni ＿＿＿＿ ji-gwon-deu-reun ma-reul a-kkyeo-sseo-yo]
The employees spoke sparingly for fear the rumor might spread. 🗣️
Answer
퍼질세라 — 퍼지다 → 퍼질세라.
J. 자료가 ＿＿＿＿ 파일을 저장했어요.
[ja-ryo-ga ＿＿＿＿ pa-i-reul jeo-jang-hae-sseo-yo]
I saved the file for fear the materials might disappear. 💾
Answer
사라질세라 — 사라지다 → 사라질세라.
🔧
Vocabulary Box
  • 비 → rain
  • 창문 → window
  • 회의 → meeting
  • 발걸음을 재촉하다 → to hurry one’s steps
  • 아이 → child
  • 손을 잡다 → to hold a hand
  • 아기 → baby
  • 숨을 죽이다 → to stay silent / hold one’s breath
  • 여권 → passport
  • 가방 → bag
  • 비밀 → secret
  • 목소리를 낮추다 → to lower one’s voice
  • 종이 → paper
  • 우산을 씌우다 → to hold an umbrella over someone/something
  • 사진 → photo
  • 화면을 가리다 → to cover a screen
  • 소문 → rumor
  • 자료 → materials/data
Tip 💡 Form first: vowel stem + ㄹ세라, consonant stem + 을세라.
 

Exercise 2 — Match the Fear to the Action 🧠

A. 문서가 ＿＿＿＿ 지연은 복사본을 만들었어요.
[mun-seo-ga ＿＿＿＿ ji-yeo-neun bok-sa-bo-neul man-deu-reo-sseo-yo]
Jiyeon made a copy for fear the document might disappear. 📄
Answer
사라질세라 — Making a copy prevents loss/disappearance.
B. 고양이가 ＿＿＿＿ 민수는 문을 살짝 열었어요.
[go-yang-i-ga ＿＿＿＿ min-su-neun mu-neul sal-jjak yeo-reo-sseo-yo]
Minsu opened the door slightly for fear the cat might be surprised. 🐈‍⬛
Answer
놀랄세라 — 놀라다 means “to be surprised,” and takes ㄹ세라.
C. 아이가 ＿＿＿＿ 할머니는 천천히 걸었어요.
[a-i-ga ＿＿＿＿ hal-meo-ni-neun cheon-cheo-ni geo-reo-sseo-yo]
Grandmother walked slowly for fear the child might fall. 🚶‍♀️
Answer
넘어질세라 — Walking slowly fits the feared result: falling.
D. 메일을 ＿＿＿＿ 수지는 제목을 다시 확인했어요.
[me-i-reul ＿＿＿＿ su-ji-neun je-mo-geul da-si hwa-gin-hae-sseo-yo]
Suji checked the subject again for fear the email might be sent wrongly. 📧
Answer
잘못 보낼세라 — 잘못 보내다 means “to send wrongly.”
E. 차가 ＿＿＿＿ 준호는 길가로 비켰어요.
[cha-ga ＿＿＿＿ jun-ho-neun gil-ga-ro bi-kyeo-sseo-yo]
Junho moved to the roadside for fear a car might come. 🚗
Answer
올세라 — The feared event is a car coming.
F. 학생들이 ＿＿＿＿ 선생님은 칠판을 크게 썼어요.
[hak-saeng-deu-ri ＿＿＿＿ seon-saeng-ni-meun chil-pa-neul keu-ge sseo-sseo-yo]
The teacher wrote largely on the board for fear the students might not see it. 👩‍🏫
Answer
못 볼세라 — 못 보다 means “to be unable to see.”
G. 약속을 ＿＿＿＿ 태호는 알림을 맞췄어요.
[yak-so-geul ＿＿＿＿ tae-ho-neun al-li-meul mat-chwo-sseo-yo]
Taeho set an alarm for fear they might forget the appointment. ⏰
Answer
잊을세라 — 잊다 has a consonant-ending stem.
H. 음식이 ＿＿＿＿ 유나는 냉장고에 넣었어요.
[eum-si-gi ＿＿＿＿ yu-na-neun naeng-jang-go-e neo-eo-sseo-yo]
Yuna put the food in the refrigerator for fear it might spoil. 🍱
Answer
상할세라 — 상하다 means “to spoil/go bad.”
I. 불이 ＿＿＿＿ 직원은 전등을 확인했어요.
[bu-ri ＿＿＿＿ ji-gwo-neun jeon-deung-eul hwa-gin-hae-sseo-yo]
The employee checked the light for fear it might go out. 💡
Answer
꺼질세라 — 꺼지다 means “to go out / be turned off.”
J. 마감에 ＿＿＿＿ 지연은 보고서를 먼저 보냈어요.
[ma-ga-me ＿＿＿＿ ji-yeo-neun bo-go-seo-reul meon-jeo bo-nae-sseo-yo]
Jiyeon sent the report first for fear they might be late for the deadline. 📑
Answer
늦을세라 — Deadline worry pairs naturally with 늦을세라.
🧠
Vocabulary Box
  • 문서 → document
  • 복사본을 만들다 → to make a copy
  • 고양이 → cat
  • 놀라다 → to be surprised
  • 문 → door
  • 살짝 열다 → to open slightly
  • 천천히 걷다 → to walk slowly
  • 메일 → email
  • 잘못 보내다 → to send wrongly
  • 차 → car
  • 길가로 비키다 → to move to the roadside
  • 학생 → student
  • 못 보다 → to be unable to see
  • 약속 → appointment/promise
  • 음식 → food
  • 상하다 → to spoil
  • 불 → light/fire
  • 꺼지다 → to go out / be turned off
  • 마감 → deadline
  • 보고서 → report
Tip 💡 The action should make sense as prevention: copy, check, hurry, cover, or speak carefully.
 

Exercise 3 — Literary vs Everyday Nuance 📜

A. 비가 올세라 창문을 닫았어요. → everyday version: 비가 ＿＿＿＿ 창문을 닫았어요.
[bi-ga ＿＿＿＿ chang-mu-neul da-da-sseo-yo]
I closed the window because I was afraid it might rain. 🌧️
Answer
올까 봐 — -(으)ㄹ까 봐 is the everyday counterpart.
B. 들킬세라 feels more ＿＿＿＿ than 들킬까 봐.
[deul-kil-se-ra feels more ＿＿＿＿ than deul-kil-kka bwa]
들킬세라 feels more literary than 들킬까 봐. 📚
Answer
literary / written — -(으)ㄹ세라 often sounds written, poetic, or formal.
C. 아이가 넘어질세라 손을 잡았어요. → casual version: 아이가 ＿＿＿＿ 손을 잡았어요.
[a-i-ga ＿＿＿＿ so-neul ja-ba-sseo-yo]
I held the child’s hand because I was afraid the child might fall. 🧒
Answer
넘어질까 봐 — This is the everyday conversational form.
D. 소문이 퍼질세라 말을 아꼈어요. → everyday version: 소문이 ＿＿＿＿ 말을 아꼈어요.
[so-mu-ni ＿＿＿＿ ma-reul a-kkyeo-sseo-yo]
They spoke sparingly because they were afraid the rumor might spread. 📣
Answer
퍼질까 봐 — Same worry, more everyday tone.
E. Choose the more polished narration: 여권을 잃을세라 확인했다 / 여권을 잃을까 봐 확인했다.
[yeo-gwo-neul i-reul-se-ra hwa-gin-haet-da / yeo-gwo-neul i-reul-kka bwa hwa-gin-haet-da]
Choose the more polished/literary narration. 🧳
Answer
여권을 잃을세라 확인했다 — -을세라 gives the sentence a written, narrative feel.
F. 자료가 사라질세라 저장했어요. → casual version: 자료가 ＿＿＿＿ 저장했어요.
[ja-ryo-ga ＿＿＿＿ jeo-jang-hae-sseo-yo]
I saved it because I was afraid the materials might disappear. 💾
Answer
사라질까 봐 — Everyday worry uses -(으)ㄹ까 봐.
G. In a chat to a friend, 늦을세라 뛰었어 may sound too ＿＿＿＿.
[neujeul-se-ra ttwi-eo-sseo may sound too ＿＿＿＿]
In a chat, “I ran lest I be late” may sound too formal/literary. 💬
Answer
formal / literary — 늦을까 봐 뛰었어 is more natural in casual speech.
H. 사진이 보일세라 화면을 가렸어요. → everyday version: 사진이 ＿＿＿＿ 화면을 가렸어요.
[sa-ji-ni ＿＿＿＿ hwa-myeo-neul ga-ryeo-sseo-yo]
I covered the screen because I was afraid the photo might be seen. 🖼️
Answer
보일까 봐 — The everyday counterpart keeps the same worry.
I. 아기가 깰세라 숨을 죽였어요. → casual version: 아기가 ＿＿＿＿ 숨을 죽였어요.
[a-gi-ga ＿＿＿＿ su-meul ju-gyeo-sseo-yo]
Everyone stayed silent because they were afraid the baby might wake up. 🍼
Answer
깰까 봐 — This is the natural everyday version.
J. -(으)ㄹ세라 means “because I feared,” not plain ＿＿＿＿.
[-eul-se-ra means because I feared, not plain ＿＿＿＿]
It means fear/worry, not plain “if.” ☂️
Answer
if — Do not flatten -(으)ㄹ세라 into a simple condition.
📜
Vocabulary Box
  • 올세라 → for fear it might come/fall
  • 올까 봐 → because one is afraid it might come/fall
  • 들킬세라 → for fear it might be discovered
  • 들킬까 봐 → because one is afraid it might be discovered
  • 넘어질세라 → for fear someone might fall
  • 넘어질까 봐 → because one is afraid someone might fall
  • 퍼질세라 → for fear something might spread
  • 사라질세라 → for fear something might disappear
  • 보일세라 → for fear something might be seen
  • 깰세라 → for fear someone might wake up
  • 늦을세라 → for fear someone might be late
Tip 💡 Use -(으)ㄹ세라 for literary/narrative color; use -(으)ㄹ까 봐 for daily speech.
 

Exercise 4 — Advanced Interpretation 🌫️

A. 비밀이 들킬세라 민수는 목소리를 낮췄어요.
[bi-mi-ri deul-kil-se-ra min-su-neun mok-so-ri-reul nat-chwo-sseo-yo]
What was Minsu afraid of? 🕵️
Answer
Minsu feared that 비밀이 들키다 — the secret would be discovered.
B. 여권을 잃을세라 수지는 가방을 계속 확인했어요.
[yeo-gwo-neul i-reul-se-ra su-ji-neun ga-bang-eul gye-sok hwa-gin-hae-sseo-yo]
What preventive action did Suji take? 🧳
Answer
Suji 가방을 계속 확인했어요 — kept checking the bag.
C. 아이가 넘어질세라 할머니가 손을 꼭 잡았어요.
[a-i-ga neo-meo-jil-se-ra hal-meo-ni-ga so-neul kkok ja-ba-sseo-yo]
What emotional nuance does the sentence carry? 🩹
Answer
It carries protective worry: grandmother acted carefully because the child might fall.
D. 소문이 퍼질세라 직원들은 말을 아꼈어요.
[so-mu-ni peo-jil-se-ra ji-gwon-deu-reun ma-reul a-kkyeo-sseo-yo]
Why did the employees speak sparingly? 📣
Answer
They feared that 소문이 퍼지다 — the rumor would spread.
E. 자료가 사라질세라 지연은 파일을 저장했어요.
[ja-ryo-ga sa-ra-jil-se-ra ji-yeo-neun pa-i-reul jeo-jang-hae-sseo-yo]
What feared result does the grammar mark? 💾
Answer
자료가 사라지다 — the materials disappearing.
F. 아기가 깰세라 모두 숨을 죽였어요.
[a-gi-ga kkael-se-ra mo-du su-meul ju-gyeo-sseo-yo]
What does 숨을 죽였어요 mean here? 🍼
Answer
It means everyone stayed very quiet / held their breath so the baby would not wake up.
G. 메일을 잘못 보낼세라 수지는 제목을 다시 확인했어요.
[me-i-reul jal-mot bo-nael-se-ra su-ji-neun je-mo-geul da-si hwa-gin-hae-sseo-yo]
What mistake was Suji trying to prevent? 📧
Answer
Suji was trying to prevent 메일을 잘못 보내다 — sending the email wrongly.
H. 음식이 상할세라 유나는 냉장고에 넣었어요.
[eum-si-gi sang-hal-se-ra yu-na-neun naeng-jang-go-e neo-eo-sseo-yo]
Why did Yuna put the food in the refrigerator? 🍱
Answer
Because Yuna feared 음식이 상하다 — the food might spoil.
I. 불이 꺼질세라 직원은 전등을 확인했어요.
[bu-ri kkeo-jil-se-ra ji-gwo-neun jeon-deung-eul hwa-gin-hae-sseo-yo]
What did the employee fear? 💡
Answer
The employee feared the light might go out: 불이 꺼지다.
J. 차가 올세라 준호는 길가로 비켰어요.
[cha-ga ol-se-ra jun-ho-neun gil-ga-ro bi-kyeo-sseo-yo]
What is the likely reason Junho moved aside? 🚗
Answer
Junho moved aside because a car might come; 올세라 marks that feared event.
🌫️
Vocabulary Box
  • 민수 → Minsu
  • 수지 → Suji
  • 지연 → Jiyeon
  • 유나 → Yuna
  • 준호 → Junho
  • 할머니 → grandmother
  • 직원 → employee
  • 낮추다 → to lower
  • 확인하다 → to check
  • 꼭 잡다 → to hold tightly
  • 말을 아끼다 → to speak sparingly
  • 저장하다 → to save
  • 냉장고 → refrigerator
  • 전등 → electric light
  • 길가 → roadside
Tip 💡 Ask two questions: “What bad thing might happen?” and “What action prevents it?”
 

Exercise 5 — Mixed Mastery + Pitfall Patrol 🛡️

A. ❌ 비가 오을세라 창문을 닫았어요. → ✅ 비가 ＿＿＿＿ 창문을 닫았어요.
[bi-ga ＿＿＿＿ chang-mu-neul da-da-sseo-yo]
Fix the form: I closed the window for fear it might rain. 🌧️
Answer
올세라 — 오다 takes ㄹ세라, not 을세라.
B. ❌ 회의에 늦ㄹ세라 뛰었어요. → ✅ 회의에 ＿＿＿＿ 뛰었어요.
[hoe-ui-e ＿＿＿＿ ttwi-eo-sseo-yo]
Fix the form: I ran for fear I might be late to the meeting. 🏃
Answer
늦을세라 — 늦다 ends in a consonant, so use 을세라.
C. ❌ 아이가 넘어질세라요. → ✅ 아이가 ＿＿＿＿ 손을 잡았어요.
[a-i-ga ＿＿＿＿ so-neul ja-ba-sseo-yo]
Fix the sentence: I held the child’s hand for fear the child might fall. 🧒
Answer
넘어질세라 — -(으)ㄹ세라 connects to a preventive action; it is not a polite sentence ending.
D. For casual speech, choose the natural form: 들킬세라 / 들킬까 봐.
[deul-kil-se-ra / deul-kil-kka bwa]
“I lowered my voice because I was afraid it might be discovered.” 💬
Answer
들킬까 봐 — In casual speech, -(으)ㄹ까 봐 is usually more natural.
E. For literary narration, choose the polished form: 잃을세라 / 잃을까 봐.
[i-reul-se-ra / i-reul-kka bwa]
“She checked the passport for fear it might be lost.” 🧳
Answer
잃을세라 — This carries the literary/narrative tone.
F. 사진이 ＿＿＿＿ 화면을 가렸어요.
[sa-ji-ni ＿＿＿＿ hwa-myeo-neul ga-ryeo-sseo-yo]
I covered the screen for fear the photo might be seen. 🖼️
Answer
보일세라 — 보이다 → 보일세라.
G. 아기가 ＿＿＿＿ 모두 숨을 죽였어요.
[a-gi-ga ＿＿＿＿ mo-du su-meul ju-gyeo-sseo-yo]
Everyone stayed silent for fear the baby might wake up. 🍼
Answer
깰세라 — 깨다 → 깰세라.
H. 음식이 ＿＿＿＿ 냉장고에 넣었어요.
[eum-si-gi ＿＿＿＿ naeng-jang-go-e neo-eo-sseo-yo]
I put the food in the refrigerator for fear it might spoil. 🍱
Answer
상할세라 — 상하다 → 상할세라.
I. 메일을 ＿＿＿＿ 제목을 다시 확인했어요.
[me-i-reul ＿＿＿＿ je-mo-geul da-si hwa-gin-hae-sseo-yo]
I checked the subject again for fear I might send the email wrongly. 📧
Answer
잘못 보낼세라 — 잘못 보내다 means “to send wrongly.”
J. 소문이 ＿＿＿＿ 말을 아꼈어요.
[so-mu-ni ＿＿＿＿ ma-reul a-kkyeo-sseo-yo]
I spoke sparingly for fear the rumor might spread. 📣
Answer
퍼질세라 — 퍼지다 → 퍼질세라. This is polished, written-style worry grammar.
🛡️
Vocabulary Box
  • 오다 → to come; for rain, to fall
  • 늦다 → to be late
  • 넘어지다 → to fall down
  • 들키다 → to be discovered/caught
  • 잃다 → to lose
  • 보이다 → to be seen
  • 깨다 → to wake up
  • 상하다 → to spoil
  • 잘못 보내다 → to send wrongly
  • 퍼지다 → to spread
  • 창문 → window
  • 회의 → meeting
  • 손 → hand
  • 사진 → photo
  • 아기 → baby
  • 음식 → food
  • 메일 → email
  • 소문 → rumor
Tip 💡 Pitfall patrol: -(으)ㄹ세라 is not a sentence ending, not plain “if,” and not the default casual chat choice.
 
Reference hub 🧭
  • 올세라 → for fear something might come/fall
  • 늦을세라 → for fear someone might be late
  • 넘어질세라 → for fear someone might fall
  • 들킬세라 → for fear something might be discovered
  • 잃을세라 → for fear someone might lose something
  • 젖을세라 → for fear something might get wet
  • 보일세라 → for fear something might be seen
  • 깰세라 → for fear someone might wake up
  • 퍼질세라 → for fear something might spread
  • 사라질세라 → for fear something might disappear
 
🎉 Excellent work — you can now spot -(으)ㄹ세라 as elegant “for fear that” grammar, not just a fancy-looking suffix in the fog. Onward, careful sentence traveler. ☂️📜