💭

Using 'I think...': 제 생각에는

Keywords
생각
Lesson #
S
Done
Section
Basic Speaking
🦄
TL;DR 🦄
  • 💭 제 생각에는... [je saeng-ga-ge-neun] — "In my opinion..."
  • 🤔 ...인 것 같아요 [in geot ga-ta-yo] — "I think it's..."
  • 📌 저는 ...라고 생각해요 [jeo-neun ... ra-go saeng-ga-kae-yo] — "I think that..."
  • 🙋 제 생각엔 그게 맞아요 [je saeng-ga-gen geu-ge ma-ja-yo] — "I think that's right"
  • ✨ 저도 그렇게 생각해요 [jeo-do geu-reo-ke saeng-ga-kae-yo] — "I think so too"
🔊
🎧 Iru Helper Note: Hear every phrase in this lesson spoken aloud and practice your pronunciation with the Iru Helper Widgets.
 

🌈 The Big Picture

There are two main ways to say "I think" in Korean, and each has a different feel. The first is 제 생각에는 [je saeng-ga-ge-neun] — literally "in my thinking" — placed at the START of a sentence, like "In my opinion, ...". The second is -(ㄴ/는)다고 생각해요 [da-go saeng-ga-kae-yo] — attached to the END of a sentence after quoting your own thought, meaning "I think that...".
  • 제 생각에는 이게 더 좋아요 — "In my opinion, this one is better"
  • 저는 이게 더 좋다고 생각해요 — "I think that this one is better"
Both are correct and often interchangeable — 제 생각에는 feels a bit more like introducing your perspective, while -다고 생각해요 feels more like stating a reasoned conclusion.

🎭 -(는) 것 같아요: The Softer "I Think"

The most commonly used "I think" pattern in everyday speech is actually -(ㄴ/는/은) 것 같아요 [geot ga-ta-yo] — "it seems like / I think." This is softer and less direct than 생각해요, making it the go-to choice when you want to sound gentle, tentative, or polite — especially when sharing opinions that could be controversial.
  • 이게 더 좋은 것 같아요 — "I think this one is better" (softer, more tentative)
  • 비가 올 것 같아요 — "I think it's going to rain"
Korean speakers use -것 같아요 constantly, even when they're quite confident — it's considered more humble and less pushy than a flat statement of fact.

🧳 Essential Phrase Kit

  • 제 생각에는... [je saeng-ga-ge-neun] — "In my opinion..."
  • ...인 것 같아요 [in geot ga-ta-yo] — "I think it's..."
  • 저는 ...라고 생각해요 [jeo-neun ... ra-go saeng-ga-kae-yo] — "I think that..."
  • 저도 그렇게 생각해요 [jeo-do geu-reo-ke saeng-ga-kae-yo] — "I think so too"
  • 잘 모르겠지만... [jal mo-reu-get-ji-man] — "I'm not sure, but..."
  • ...일 것 같아요 [il geot ga-ta-yo] — "I think it'll be..."
  • 개인적으로는... [gae-in-jeo-geu-ro-neun] — "Personally..."
  • 제 의견은 좀 달라요 [je ui-gyeo-neun jom dal-la-yo] — "My opinion is a bit different"
  • ...것 같지 않아요? [geot gat-ji a-na-yo?] — "Don't you think...?"
  • 다시 생각해 보니까... [da-si saeng-ga-kae bo-ni-kka] — "Thinking about it again..."

🛠️ Putting Together

A: 이 영화 어땠어요?
B: 제 생각에는 좀 길었던 것 같아요. 그래도 배우들 연기는 정말 좋았어요.
A: "How was this movie?" B: "In my opinion, I think it was a bit long. But the actors' performances were really good."
🦄 Grammar note: 길었던 것 같아요 combines past tense (길었-) with -것 같아요 to softly express a past impression.
A: 다음 주에 회의 시간 바꾸는 거 어때요?
B: 음, 저는 지금 시간이 더 편할 것 같아요. 다른 사람들도 그렇게 생각할 거예요.
A: "How about changing the meeting time next week?" B: "Hmm, I think the current time would be more convenient. I think other people would think so too."
🦄 Grammar note: 편할 것 같아요 uses the future/hypothetical -(으)ㄹ 것 같아요 form, predicting how something would be.
A: 저는 이 디자인이 더 나은 것 같아요. 어떻게 생각해요?
B: 글쎄요, 저는 의견이 좀 달라요. 색깔이 너무 화려한 것 같아요.
A: "I think this design is better. What do you think?" B: "Well, my opinion is a bit different. I think the colors are a bit too flashy."
🦄 Grammar note: 의견이 좀 달라요 ("my opinion is a bit different") is a polite way to disagree without being blunt.

🗣️ Speaking Practice: Mini Dialogue

민수: 지은 씨, 이번 프로젝트 어떻게 생각해요? 잘 될 것 같아요?
[ji-eun ssi, i-beon peu-ro-jek-teu eo-tteo-ke saeng-ga-kae-yo? jal doel geot ga-ta-yo?]
"Jieun, what do you think about this project? Do you think it'll go well?"
지은: 제 생각에는 시간이 좀 부족할 것 같아요. 일정을 다시 보는 게 좋을 것 같아요.
[je saeng-ga-ge-neun si-ga-ni jom bu-jo-kal geot ga-ta-yo. il-jeong-eul da-si bo-neun ge jo-eul geot ga-ta-yo]
"In my opinion, I think there's not quite enough time. I think it'd be good to look at the schedule again."
민수: 아, 저도 그렇게 생각해요. 사실 저도 좀 걱정했어요.
[a, jeo-do geu-reo-ke saeng-ga-kae-yo. sa-sil jeo-do jom geok-jeong-hae-sseo-yo]
"Oh, I think so too. Actually, I was a bit worried too."
지은: 그럼 팀장님한테 한번 말씀드려 볼까요? 일정 조정이 가능할 것 같지 않아요?
[geu-reom tim-jang-nim-han-te han-beon mal-sseum-deu-ryeo bol-kka-yo? il-jeong jo-jeong-i ga-neung-hal geot gat-ji a-na-yo?]
"Then should we try talking to the team leader? Don't you think a schedule adjustment would be possible?"
민수: 네, 좋은 생각이에요. 다시 생각해 보니까 미리 말하는 게 나을 것 같아요.
[ne, jo-eun saeng-ga-gi-e-yo. da-si saeng-ga-kae bo-ni-kka mi-ri mal-ha-neun ge na-eul geot ga-ta-yo]
"Yes, that's a good idea. Thinking about it again, I think it's better to say something in advance."
지은: 맞아요. 그럼 오늘 오후에 같이 가요.
[ma-ja-yo. geu-reom o-neul o-hu-e ga-chi ga-yo]
"Right. Then let's go together this afternoon."

🧭 Speaking Tip

When sharing opinions in Korean, softening is key — Koreans often avoid sounding too direct or certain, especially in professional or unfamiliar settings. -것 같아요 is your best friend here. Even if you're 100% sure about something, attaching -것 같아요 makes you sound humble and approachable rather than arrogant. Save the more direct -다고 생각해요 for when you really want to emphasize that this is YOUR considered opinion, often in debates or when asked directly for your view.

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

  • ❌ Overusing direct statements without -것 같아요 or 제 생각에는 — can sound blunt or overly assertive in Korean culture.
  • ❌ Mixing up word order — 제 생각에는 goes at the START of the sentence, while -것 같아요/-다고 생각해요 goes at the END.
  • ❌ Forgetting that -것 같아요 attaches differently depending on tense: -는 것 같아요 (present), -(으)ㄴ/은 것 같아요 (past), -(으)ㄹ 것 같아요 (future/guess).
  • ❌ Using 제 생각에는 too often in one conversation — vary it with 개인적으로는, 저는 ...것 같아요, or just -것 같아요 alone.
You're ready to share your thoughts naturally and politely — 화이팅! 💭✨
 
Try this exercise
Instructions: For each prompt, write your response in Korean using the patterns from this lesson. Then check the toggle below for a sample answer.
1. Say "In my opinion, this one is better" (이게 더 좋다).
Answer
제 생각에는 이게 더 좋아요. (In my opinion, this one is better.)
2. Say "I think it's going to rain" (비가 오다).
Answer
비가 올 것 같아요. (I think it's going to rain.)
3. Say "I think so too."
Answer
저도 그렇게 생각해요. (I think so too.)
4. Say "Personally, I like this design" (이 디자인이 좋다).
Answer
개인적으로는 이 디자인이 좋아요. (Personally, I like this design.)
5. Say "My opinion is a bit different."
Answer
제 의견은 좀 달라요. (My opinion is a bit different.)
6. Say "I'm not sure, but I think it'll be okay" (괜찮다).
Answer
잘 모르겠지만 괜찮을 것 같아요. (I'm not sure, but I think it'll be okay.)
7. Ask "Don't you think it's a bit too expensive?" (너무 비싸다).
Answer
너무 비싼 것 같지 않아요? (Don't you think it's a bit too expensive?)
8. Say "I think that this movie was really good" (using -다고 생각해요).
Answer
저는 이 영화가 정말 좋았다고 생각해요. (I think that this movie was really good.)
9. Say "Thinking about it again, I think this is better."
Answer
다시 생각해 보니까 이게 더 나은 것 같아요. (Thinking about it again, I think this is better.)
10. Say "I think there's not enough time" (시간이 부족하다).
Answer
시간이 좀 부족할 것 같아요. (I think there's not enough time.)
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 생각하다 — to think
  • 의견 — opinion
  • 개인적으로 — personally
  • 다르다 — to be different
  • 부족하다 — to be insufficient
  • 일정 — schedule
  • 조정 — adjustment
  • 미리 — in advance
  • 나은 — better (from 낫다)
  • 화려하다 — to be flashy, colorful
Pitfalls 💡
  • 제 생각에는 goes at the START; -것 같아요 goes at the END.
  • -것 같아요 changes form based on tense (는/은/ㄹ).
  • -것 같아요 sounds more humble than 생각해요.
🚀
Want more reps? Head to the Practice Hub below for three full exercise sets!
 
📦
🎯 Practice Hub — Using 'I think...': 제 생각에는
Work through these three exercises to lock in 제 생각에는, -것 같아요, and -다고 생각해요. Try answering out loud before checking each answer — and use the Iru Helper Widgets above if you want to hear the pronunciation again.

Exercise 1 — Sharing Opinions with 제 생각에는 💭

A. Say "In my opinion, this restaurant is good" (이 식당이 좋다).
Answer
제 생각에는 이 식당이 좋아요. [je saeng-ga-ge-neun i sik-dang-i jo-a-yo]
B. Say "In my opinion, this plan is better" (이 계획이 더 낫다).
Answer
제 생각에는 이 계획이 더 나아요. [je saeng-ga-ge-neun i gye-hwe-gi deo na-a-yo]
C. Say "In my opinion, that's not right" (그건 맞지 않다).
Answer
제 생각에는 그건 맞지 않아요. [je saeng-ga-ge-neun geu-geon mat-ji a-na-yo]
D. Say "In my opinion, we should hurry" (서두르다).
Answer
제 생각에는 서두르는 게 좋겠어요. [je saeng-ga-ge-neun seo-du-reu-neun ge jo-ke-sseo-yo]
E. Say "Personally, I prefer the smaller one" (더 작은 게 좋다).
Answer
개인적으로는 더 작은 게 좋아요. [gae-in-jeo-geu-ro-neun deo ja-geun ge jo-a-yo]
F. Say "In my opinion, he's right" (그가 맞다).
Answer
제 생각에는 그가 맞아요. [je saeng-ga-ge-neun geu-ga ma-ja-yo]
G. Say "My opinion is a bit different from yours" (당신 의견과 다르다).
Answer
제 의견은 당신 의견과 좀 달라요. [je ui-gyeo-neun dang-sin ui-gyeon-gwa jom dal-la-yo]
H. Say "In my opinion, this color is prettier" (이 색이 더 예쁘다).
Answer
제 생각에는 이 색이 더 예뻐요. [je saeng-ga-ge-neun i sae-gi deo ye-ppeo-yo]
I. Say "Personally, I don't really like coffee" (커피를 별로 안 좋아하다).
Answer
개인적으로는 커피를 별로 안 좋아해요. [gae-in-jeo-geu-ro-neun keo-pi-reul byeol-lo an jo-a-hae-yo]
J. Say "In my opinion, this book is interesting" (이 책이 재미있다).
Answer
제 생각에는 이 책이 재미있어요. [je saeng-ga-ge-neun i chae-gi jae-mi-i-sseo-yo]
📚
Quick Reference
  • 제 생각에는 — in my opinion (sentence-initial)
  • 개인적으로는 — personally
  • 의견 — opinion
  • 다르다 — to be different
  • 서두르다 — to hurry
  • 낫다 — to be better
  • 별로 — not really, not particularly

Exercise 2 — Softening with -것 같아요 🤔

A. Say "I think it's expensive" (비싸다).
Answer
비싼 것 같아요. [bi-ssan geot ga-ta-yo]
B. Say "I think he already left" (벌써 가다, past).
Answer
벌써 간 것 같아요. [beol-sseo gan geot ga-ta-yo]
C. Say "I think it'll snow tomorrow" (내일 눈이 오다, future).
Answer
내일 눈이 올 것 같아요. [nae-il nu-ni ol geot ga-ta-yo]
D. Say "I think I caught a cold" (감기에 걸리다, past).
Answer
감기에 걸린 것 같아요. [gam-gi-e geol-lin geot ga-ta-yo]
E. Say "Don't you think this is too difficult?" (너무 어렵다).
Answer
이거 너무 어려운 것 같지 않아요? [i-geo neo-mu eo-ryeo-un geot gat-ji a-na-yo?]
F. Say "I think it will be fine" (괜찮다, future guess).
Answer
괜찮을 것 같아요. [gwen-cha-neul geot ga-ta-yo]
G. Say "I think this song is really good" (이 노래가 좋다).
Answer
이 노래가 정말 좋은 것 같아요. [i no-rae-ga jeong-mal jo-eun geot ga-ta-yo]
H. Say "I think it was a long movie" (영화가 길다, past).
Answer
영화가 길었던 것 같아요. [yeong-hwa-ga gi-reot-deon geot ga-ta-yo]
I. Say "I think there's not enough time" (시간이 부족하다).
Answer
시간이 부족한 것 같아요. [si-ga-ni bu-jo-kan geot ga-ta-yo]
J. Say "I think this would be more convenient" (더 편하다, future/guess).
Answer
더 편할 것 같아요. [deo pyeo-nal geot ga-ta-yo]
📚
Quick Reference
  • -는 것 같아요 — present "I think..."
  • -(으)ㄴ/은 것 같아요 — past "I think..."
  • -(으)ㄹ 것 같아요 — future/guess "I think..."
  • 감기에 걸리다 — to catch a cold
  • 벌써 — already
  • 부족하다 — to be insufficient

Exercise 3 — Full Opinion Conversations 💬

A. "이번 프로젝트 어떻게 생각해요?" — What does this mean?
Answer
"What do you think about this project?"
B. Respond: "In my opinion, I think there's not enough time."
Answer
제 생각에는 시간이 좀 부족할 것 같아요.
C. Say "I think so too."
Answer
저도 그렇게 생각해요.
D. Say "Don't you think a schedule adjustment would be possible?"
Answer
일정 조정이 가능할 것 같지 않아요?
E. Say "Thinking about it again, I think it's better to say something in advance."
Answer
다시 생각해 보니까 미리 말하는 게 나을 것 같아요.
F. Say "Well, my opinion is a bit different."
Answer
글쎄요, 저는 의견이 좀 달라요.
G. Say "I think the colors are a bit too flashy."
Answer
색깔이 너무 화려한 것 같아요.
H. Say "I think that this design is better" (using -다고 생각해요).
Answer
저는 이 디자인이 더 낫다고 생각해요.
I. Say "I'm not sure, but I think it'll be okay."
Answer
잘 모르겠지만 괜찮을 것 같아요.
J. Say "Right. Then let's go together this afternoon."
Answer
맞아요. 그럼 오늘 오후에 같이 가요.
📚
Cheat Sheet
  • 제 생각에는 — in my opinion
  • -것 같아요 — I think / it seems
  • -다고 생각해요 — I think that...
  • 저도 그렇게 생각해요 — I think so too
  • 의견이 다르다 — to have a different opinion
  • 다시 생각해 보니까 — thinking about it again
  • 가능하다 — to be possible
🎉 잘했어요! You can now share opinions naturally and politely in Korean!