Lesson 9
In this lesson, we are going to look at a sentence ending that you can hear particularly often in Korean song lyrics. It is 걸(요), and the syllable 걸 is often used as word play for the English word “girl” because of its similar sound.
걸(요) is not actually used by itself, but rather in the form of either -(으)ㄴ/는걸(요) or -(으)ㄹ걸(요). These two sentence endings are very interesting and can express quite specific meanings. They can also usually be replaced with something else, although when doing so their nuanced meaning can be slightly lost. In this lesson, we will introduce some of these alternative sentences as well.
There are four different ways these endings are used. The ending -(으)ㄴ/는걸(요) is used (1) to show exclamation when you find out something new, and (2) when giving supporting evidence or facts while explaining or claiming something. The ending -(으)ㄹ걸(요) is used (3) when making an assumption about something, and (4) when expressing regret about something you did or did not do in the past.
Let us take a look at the four different usages in more detail. Except for sentences that use the fourth usage, expressing regret about something you did or did not do in the past, you can end your sentence with either a period or a question mark. Ending your sentence with a question mark gives the impression that you are expecting a reply from your listener.
Usage 1
When you discover something new and find it interesting or amazing, you can use -(으)ㄴ/는걸(요). This usage is much less common in real life than usage (3).
Sample Sentences
이거 생각보다 어려운걸요.
= I find this to be more difficult than I thought.
= 이거 생각보다 어려운데요.
의외로 재미있는걸요?
= Surprisingly, I find that it is fun!
= 의외로 재미있네요.
오! 실제로 보니 더 좋은걸?
= Oh, this looks better in person!
= 오! 실제로 보니 더 좋은데?
Usage 2
When giving supporting evidence or facts while explaining something or making a claim, you can use -(으)ㄴ/는걸(요). This usage is also less common than usage (3).
Sample Sentences
그런데 항상 제가 제일 일찍 도착하는걸요.
= But I am always the first to arrive!
= 그런데 항상 제가 제일 일찍 도착해요.
저는 그 사람 이름도 모르는걸요.
= I don’t even know that person’s name!
= 저는 그 사람 이름도 몰라요.
어제 벌써 이메일을 보냈는걸요.
= I already sent the email yesterday!
= 어제 벌써 이메일 보냈어요.
Usage 3
When making an assumption about something, you can use -(으)ㄹ걸요. This is the most common usage of -걸(요). Because of -(으)ㄹ, the ending looks like it is in the future tense, but -(으)ㄹ걸요 is used to show your assumption about the past, the present, or the future. Please note that -(으)ㄹ걸요 is only used in response to what someone else has said.
Sample Sentences
아마 오늘 그 가게 문 안 열걸요.
= That store will probably not be open today.
= 아마 오늘 그 가게 문 안 열 것 같아요.
경은 씨도 이미 알걸요.
= I think Kyeong-eun already knows.
= 경은 씨도 이미 알 거예요.
마케팅 회의요? 오늘 세 시일걸요.
= The marketing meeting? It is probably at 3 o'clock today.
= 마케팅 회의요? 오늘 세 시일 거예요.
주연 씨한테 말해 보세요. 자기가 하겠다고 할걸요?
= Try asking Jooyeon. I assume she will say she wants to do it herself.
= 주연 씨한테 말해 보세요. 자기가 하겠다고 할 거예요.
공연 벌써 시작했을걸요?
= I am sure the show has already started.
= 공연 벌써 시작했을 것 같아요.
Usage 4
When expressing regret about something you should or should not have done, you can also use -(으)ㄹ걸. Please note that even though -(으)ㄹ is usually used for the future tense, this usage of -(으)ㄹ conveys regret about the past. In this instance, you do not end the sentence in -요 because you are talking to yourself. Also, unlike usages (1), (2), and (3), rather than raising the tone of your voice at the end of the sentence, you lower the tone of your voice.
Sample Sentences
내가 그냥 참을걸.
= I should have just held back.
= 내가 참지 않은 게 후회돼.
회사 들어오기 전에 여행 좀 많이 다닐걸.
= Before I joined the company, I should have traveled more.
= 회사 들어오기 전에 여행 많이 안 다닌 게 후회돼.
어제 공부 좀 더 하고 잘걸.
= I should have studied a little more before I went to bed yesterday.
= 어제 공부 더 안 하고 잔 게 후회돼.
If you would like to say that you should NOT have done something, you can use -지 말걸, which is a combination of -지 말다 and -(으)ㄹ걸.
파마하지 말걸.
= I should not have gotten my hair permed.
머리 자르지 말걸.
= I should not have had my hair cut.
If you would like to express regret directly to another person, rather than talking to yourself, you can use the form -(으)ㄹ걸 그랬어요, as in 어제 공부 좀 더 하고 잘걸 그랬어요.