겠 grammar is used to show assumption, supposition, conjecture, or guess. When a speaker is careful with his/her opinion they can use 겠 grammar. 겠 is used with the verb stem as a suffix. 겠 can also be used to show the future intention of a first-person. If we use 겠 in a sentence it will increase the politeness level of that speech. If 겠 is combined with (었/았/였) and (으)면 좋겠어요, it will have another meaning like- I hope…” “I wish…” it would be nice if…” “I would like it if…
겠 grammar usage
겠 has several meanings and usage. It is used for asking questions which is a super polite form (가시겠습니까? – Are you going?/ will you go?), fixed phrases (처음 뵙겠습니다-first time meeting.), it is also used in future tense (내일 연락하겠습니다. – I will contact you tomorrow.) and it is used to guess/ assume or tell my opinion (맛있겠어요.- It looks delicious).
겠 grammar example
‘-겠-‘ is used to guess a situation or someone’s feeling. ‘-겠-‘ means looks like, or ‘sounds‘ in English. You can use it to speak right after hearing something. ‘나’ can not be used as the subject.
맛있겠어요. It must be delicious
잘하겠어요. I will do well.
재미있었겠어요.
한국어를 잘하겠어요.
일이 많아서 많이 힘들겠어요.
아이가 이 선물을 받으면 좋아하겠어요.
Adjective/Verb + 겠다 has several meanings depending upon the situation.
- If 겠다 is combined with 알다 (to know) and 모르다 (to not know) it increases the politeness level of a sentence. For example-
알겠습니다. I understand.
모르겠어요. I don’t know.
열심히 하겠습니다. I will work hard.
잘 먹겠습니다. I will eat well/ deliciously.
2. 겠 is also used to say “so…I could die.” It is used in the form of 어/아/여(서) 죽겠다.
짱증나 죽겠어. I’m so annoyed that I could die.
힘들어 죽겠어. So tired that I’m about to die.
배고파서 족겠어요. I’m so hungry that I could die.
창피해 죽겠어요. I’m so embarrassed that I could die.
3. 겠 also has meaning of “I hope/wish…” it would be nice if…” when it is combined with (었/았/였))(으)면 좋겠어요.
꿈이었으면 좋겠어요. I wish I was dreaming.
술 끊었으면 좋겠어요. I wish I would quit smoking.
나는 그 여자랑 데이트 갔으면 좋겠어요.I hope I go on date with that girl.
내 컴퓨터가 고장이 안 나면 좋겠어. I wish my computer wouldn’t break down.
4. 겠 is used to say the future intention of a first-person. This type of 겠 is commonly used in broadcasts, newspapers, and formal news media.
열심히 하겠어요. I will work hard.
금방 하겠어요? Can you do it soon?
케이크를 만들겠습니다. I will make a cake.
다음 주말에 가겠어요. I will go on next weekend.
네일 눈이 오겠습니다. It will snow tomorrow.
