This blog will be helpful for those who are studying the Korean language and want to improve their grammar skills.
Today, we’ll learn how to form sentences using the Korean grammar pattern “(으)ㄹ까 보다”, along with example sentences, and see how it is used with adjectives, verbs, and nouns.
This expression is used when you are worried or concerned about something.
It is attached to an adjective, verb, or noun to indicate the speaker’s concern.
In English, it can be expressed as “It seems like…”, “I’m afraid that…”, or “I’m worried that…”.
This pattern can be added after adjective stems, verb stems, and nouns, but there are specific rules for how it must be conjugated in different tenses (present and past).
The rule to conjugate
Present tense :
Adj./Verb + ㄹ/을까 봐
- ~ㄹ까 봐 is added if the A/V stem ends with a vowel.
- ~을까 봐 is added when the A/V stem ends with a consonant.
For example :
1) I'm afraid the dress would be small.
드레스가 작을까 봐요.
2) I'm afraid it will be bad.
나쁠까 봐요.
3) I'm afraid I will be late.
지각할까 봐요.
Present tense :
Noun + 일까봐
- Simply ~일까봐 is added after the nouns.
For example :
1) It seems like a person.
사람일까 봐.
2) It seems like my friend.
친구일까 봐.
3) Seems like an actor.
배우일까 봐.
Past tense :
Adj./Verb + 았/었을까 봐
- ~았을까봐 is added if the A/V stem ends with 아 or 오.
- ~있을까 봐 Is added when the stem ends with anything other than 아 or 오.
- ~했을까봐 Is added after the stem ending with 하.
For example :
1) I am afraid it was expensive.
비쌌을까 봐.
2) I'm afraid it was insufficient.
부족했을까 봐.
Past tense :
Noun + 였을까 봐
- ~였을까 봐 is simply added after the noun.
For example :
1) It seemed like my friend.
친구였을까 봐.
2) It seemed like a singer.
가수였을까 봐.
The following are examples of the grammar patterns mentioned above.
1) It is late so I am thinking of taking a taxi.
늦었는데 택시를 탈까보다.
2) It looked like he might fall so I held his hand and went.
넘어질까 봐 손을 잡고 갔어요
3) I didn't want to lose the money so I put it deep inside my briefcase.
돈을 잃어버릴까 봐 가방 속에 깊이 넣었어요
4) I thought it might cause a misunderstanding so I didn't say anything.
오해할까 봐 말하지 않았습니다.
5) Are you afraid you'll get scolded if you go home?
야단 맞을까 봐 집에 못 들어가니?
Also check these useful Korean vocabulary resources:
1000 Most Common Korean Words – Must-Know Korean Vocabulary
200 Must-Know Korean Verbs For Rookie Learners
100 Must-Know Korean adjectives – How to conjugate and use them
To understand TOPIK Test structure, application process, Levels and Passing scores etc. check these pages:
- TOPIK – The Complete Guide & 2. TOPIK Levels and Passing Marks. You can also Practice Online with TOPIK GUIDE Mock Tests.
Learn every grammar pattern TOPIK tests
This post explains a few patterns. Our Grammar Masterclasses teach every pattern the exam uses, in a clear order, with practice in every lesson.
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Learning Korean can be tricky, especially when the goal of your learning is conversation. If you’ve ever attempted to speak Korean but were unable to, then hopefully you’ll find this post helpful.
Thank you for reading. If you have any questions or suggestions. Comment down below.
