Guessing & Possibility
Express guesses, assumptions, and uncertainty using -(으)ㄹ 것 같다, -나 봐요, and -겠-.
Korean has several patterns for expressing guesses, assumptions, and uncertainty, each with slightly different nuance. -(으)ㄹ 것 같다 is the most common 'it seems' / 'I think' — based on direct observation or general impression: 비가 올 것 같아요 (it looks like it'll rain). -나 봐요 implies you're inferring from indirect evidence: 친구가 안 왔나 봐요 (it seems my friend didn't come — based on her not being here). -겠- expresses a stronger guess based on a clear logical connection: 배고프겠어요 (you must be hungry — said after seeing them skip lunch).
The choice depends on how certain you are and what kind of evidence you have. Native speakers swap between these naturally based on the situation. Learners tend to default to -(으)ㄹ 것 같다 because it's the safest, but learning the contrasts will make your Korean sound more natural. Practice with everyday observation prompts: looking at the sky, hearing a noise, seeing someone's expression.
-(으)ㄹ 것 같다 — I think / It seems like
Used to express a guess or conjecture. Attach to the verb/adjective stem. Present conjecture: verb stem + -(으)ㄹ 것 같아요. Past conjecture: stem + -(으)ㄴ 것 같아요. Very commonly used in everyday speech.
-나 봐요 / -(으)ㄴ가 봐요 — It seems like (inference from observation)
Used when you infer something from what you see, hear, or feel. Slightly different from -(으)ㄹ 것 같다 — this implies a basis of evidence. Action verbs: stem + 나 봐요. Descriptive verbs: stem + (으)ㄴ가 봐요.