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Intention & Planning

Quick Reference

Pattern Commitment Level Tone Example
-ㄹ까 하다 Tentative Thinking about it 갈까 해요
-기로 하다 Firm decision Decided 가기로 했어요
-ㄹ 생각이다 Planning Intending to 갈 생각이에요

-ㄹ까 하다 (Thinking about...)

Formation

All verbs: - Add -ㄹ까 하다 after vowel stems: 가다 → 갈까 하다 - Add -을까 하다 after consonant stems: 먹다 → 먹을까 하다

Common forms: - 갈까 해요 (present: currently thinking) - 갈까 했어요 (past: was thinking) - 갈까 해서... (because I'm thinking)

Negative: - 안 갈까 해요 - 가지 않을까 해요

Usage

Express tentative plans or ideas you're considering. Shows hesitation and openness to change:

Examples: 

이번 주말에 영화를 볼까 해요.
I'm thinking about watching a movie this weekend.

머리를 자를까 해요.
I'm thinking about cutting my hair.

회사를 그만둘까 해요.
I'm thinking about quitting my job.

내일 집에서 쉴까 해요.
I'm thinking about resting at home tomorrow.

친구한테 물어볼까 했어요.
I was thinking about asking my friend.

Key Characteristics

Tentative nature: - Not a firm decision - Open to suggestions - Can easily change - Invites feedback

Common responses you might get: 

A: 머리 자를까 해요.
B: 지금도 괜찮은데요. (It's fine now)
B: 좋을 것 같아요! (That sounds good!)

Usage Context

Seeking opinions: 

저녁에 뭐 먹을까 해요. 뭐가 좋을까요?
I'm thinking about what to eat for dinner. What would be good?

Explaining tentative plans: 

아직 확실하지 않은데, 유학 갈까 해요.
It's not certain yet, but I'm thinking about studying abroad.

Showing consideration: 

선물을 살까 하는데, 뭐가 좋을까요?
I'm thinking about buying a gift—what would be good?

-기로 하다 (Decided to...)

Formation

All verbs: - Add -기로 하다: 가다 → 가기로 하다

Common forms: - 가기로 했어요 (past: decided) - 가기로 할게요 (future: will decide/commit) - 가기로 했습니다 (formal: made decision)

Negative: - 안 가기로 했어요 - 가지 않기로 했어요

Usage

Express a firm decision or agreement. Shows commitment:

Examples: 

이번 여름에 한국에 가기로 했어요.
I've decided to go to Korea this summer.

담배를 끊기로 했어요.
I've decided to quit smoking.

매일 운동하기로 했어요.
I've decided to exercise every day.

우리 내일 만나기로 했어요.
We've decided to meet tomorrow.

그 일을 맡기로 했습니다.
I've decided to take on that task.

Key Characteristics

Firm commitment: - Decision is made - Not easily changed - Often involves promises or agreements - More final than -ㄹ까 하다

Usage Context

Promises and agreements: 

다음 주까지 끝내기로 했어요.
I've agreed to finish it by next week.

같이 여행 가기로 했어요.
We've decided to travel together.

Personal resolutions: 

올해는 꼭 한국어를 배우기로 했어요.
I've decided to definitely learn Korean this year.

Changes in plans: 

원래 갈 거였는데, 안 가기로 했어요.
I was originally going to go, but I've decided not to.

-ㄹ 생각이다 (Planning to...)

Formation

All verbs: - Add -ㄹ 생각이다 after vowel stems: 가다 → 갈 생각이다 - Add -을 생각이다 after consonant stems: 먹다 → 먹을 생각이다

Common forms: - 갈 생각이에요 (planning) - 갈 생각이었어요 (was planning) - 갈 생각입니다 (formal)

Negative: - 갈 생각이 없어요 (not planning to) - 안 갈 생각이에요

Usage

Express plans or intentions. Stronger than -ㄹ까 하다, but can be more personal than -기로 하다:

Examples: 

내년에 대학원에 갈 생각이에요.
I'm planning to go to graduate school next year.

이번 주말에 집을 청소할 생각이에요.
I'm planning to clean the house this weekend.

곧 새 차를 살 생각이에요.
I'm planning to buy a new car soon.

한국어 선생님이 될 생각이에요.
I'm planning to become a Korean teacher.

Key Characteristics

Intention focus: - Personal plan - May not involve others - Shows your thinking - Not necessarily discussed or agreed upon

Usage Context

Future plans: 

졸업하고 어떻게 할 생각이에요?
What are you planning to do after graduation?

Negative intentions (important!): 

갈 생각이 없어요.
I have no intention of going. / I'm not planning to go.

그럴 생각은 없어요.
I have no intention of doing that.

This negative form is very common and useful for firmly declining.

Comparing the Three

Example Scenario: Going to the gym

-ㄹ까 하다 (tentative): 

오늘 헬스장 갈까 해요.
I'm thinking about going to the gym today.
(Not decided, might change based on how I feel)

-기로 하다 (firm decision): 

오늘부터 매일 헬스장 가기로 했어요.
I've decided to go to the gym every day from today.
(Made a commitment, firm resolution)

-ㄹ 생각이다 (planning): 

다음 달부터 헬스장 갈 생각이에요.
I'm planning to go to the gym starting next month.
(My plan/intention, not necessarily announced)

Commitment Spectrum

Low → High: 1. -ㄹ까 하다 (just thinking about it) 2. -ㄹ 생각이다 (intending/planning) 3. -기로 하다 (decided/committed)

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Choose the Pattern

Select -ㄹ까 하다, -기로 하다, or -ㄹ 생각이다:

  1. You're thinking about what to eat for lunch.
  2. You've made a firm resolution to wake up early.
  3. You're planning to study abroad next year.
  4. You and your friend agreed to meet at 7.
  5. You're considering whether to buy something.

Exercise 2: Complete the Sentences

  1. 고민 중이에요. 이 옷을 살지 _____ (말지 + thinking)
  2. 약속했어요. 내일 꼭 _____ (가다 + decided)
  3. 미래에 작가가 _____ (되다 + planning)
  4. 저녁에 뭐 먹을지 _____ (생각하다 + thinking)
  5. 올해는 꼭 담배를 _____ (끊다 + decided)

Exercise 3: Translate

  1. I'm thinking about changing jobs.
  2. We've decided to get married next year.
  3. I have no intention of giving up.
  4. I'm thinking about what to do this weekend.
  5. I've decided to study Korean every day.

Exercise 4: Situation-Based

What would you say?

  1. You're casually considering buying a new phone.
  2. You made a firm commitment to your friend to help them move.
  3. You're planning to visit your parents next month.
  4. You're thinking about whether to go to a party tonight.
  5. You and your team agreed to submit the project by Friday.
Answer Key

Exercise 1: 1. 뭐 먹을까 해요 2. 일찍 일어나기로 했어요 3. 유학 갈 생각이에요 4. 7시에 만나기로 했어요 5. 살까 해요

Exercise 2: 1. 말지 고민 중이에요 / 살까 말까 해요 2. 가기로 했어요 3. 될 생각이에요 4. 고민 중이에요 / 먹을까 해요 5. 끊기로 했어요

Exercise 3: 1. 직장을 바꿀까 해요 2. 내년에 결혼하기로 했어요 3. 포기할 생각이 없어요 4. 이번 주말에 뭐 할까 해요 5. 매일 한국어를 공부하기로 했어요

Exercise 4: 1. 새 휴대폰을 살까 해요 2. 이사하는 거 도와주기로 했어요 3. 다음 달에 부모님을 뵐 생각이에요 4. 오늘 밤에 파티에 갈까 해요 5. 금요일까지 프로젝트를 제출하기로 했어요

Additional Patterns

-ㄹ까 봐 (worried that...)

Related but different meaning:

늦을까 봐 일찍 출발했어요.
I left early because I was worried I'd be late.

-기로 했으니까 (since I decided...)

Used for explaining actions:

운동하기로 했으니까 지금 가야 해요.
Since I decided to exercise, I need to go now.

생각 없다 (no intention)

Very useful for firm refusals:

A: 같이 갈래?
B: 아니요, 갈 생각 없어요.

Common Mistakes

1. Using -기로 하다 for tentative plans: 

❌ 저녁에 뭐 먹기로 해요? (too firm for casual question)
✓ 저녁에 뭐 먹을까 해요?

2. Using -ㄹ까 하다 for firm commitments: 

❌ 내일 꼭 갈까 해요. (contradictory: 꼭 but tentative)
✓ 내일 꼭 가기로 했어요.

3. Confusing -ㄹ 생각 없다 with -지 않을 생각이다: 

✓ 갈 생각이 없어요. (natural: no intention)
❌ 안 갈 생각이에요. (awkward)

Natural Usage Tips

  1. Use -ㄹ까 해요 when seeking input or approval
  2. Use -기로 했어요 when announcing firm decisions
  3. Use -ㄹ 생각이에요 when sharing personal plans
  4. Soften -기로 하다 with 일단: 일단 가기로 했어요 (for now, decided to go)
  5. Add 그냥 to -ㄹ까 하다** for casualness: 그냥 집에 있을까 해요

Cultural Note

Korean communication values: - Flexibility: -ㄹ까 하다 shows you're open to others' opinions - Commitment: -기로 하다 shows reliability when used - Personal agency: -ㄹ 생각이다 shows your independent thinking

Use the appropriate level based on: - How firm your decision is - Whether others are involved - How much flexibility you want to show - Social context and relationship

In professional settings, -기로 했습니다 shows commitment and responsibility. In casual settings, -ㄹ까 해요 sounds more friendly and open to discussion.