Middle School - Grade 8
Lesson 16: "I guess..." / "I will..."
-겠어요
A Versatile Ending with Two Meanings
This is a very common grammar ending that has two distinct (but related) meanings. It attaches directly to the verb or adjective stem, making it very easy to conjugate!
The Two Uses
Use 1: Conjecture ("I guess..." / "It must be...")
Used to express a guess or assumption based on the situation. You're not 100% sure, but you're making an educated guess.
... + 겠어요
맛있다 맛있겠어요!
"That looks delicious!" / "That must be delicious!"
피곤하다 피곤하겠어요.
"You must be tired."
Use 2: Strong Intention ("I will...")
Used to state a strong, often formal, intention or will. It's more formal than `-(으)ㄹ게요` or `-(으)ㄹ래요`.
... + 겠어요 / -겠습니다
하다 하겠어요
"I will do it."
먹다 잘 먹겠습니다.
"I will eat well." (A common phrase said before a meal)
Examples in Action
CONJECTURE (GUESS)
A: 어제 밤새 일했어요. (I worked all night yesterday.)
B: 정말요? 피곤하겠어요. (Really? You must be tired.)
CONJECTURE (APPEARANCE)
(Looking at food) 와, 정말 맛있겠어요!
Wow, that looks so delicious!
INTENTION (WILL)
A: 누가 할 거예요? (Who is going to do it?)
B: 제가 하겠습니다. (I will do it.)
Coming Up Next...
You've learned how to express a guess. Next, let's learn how to combine that with obligation to say "I guess I should..."