-겠-

-겠-

You can use -겠- to ask someone's intention, to express what you are going to do, to talk about something that will happen, to show your assumption about something, or to talk about possibilities or capabilities. It is also often used in fixed expressions such as 처읔 뵙겠습니다 (Nice to meet you) or 잘 먹갰습니다 (Thank you for the food)

1. -시겠어요?/-시겠습니까? "Would you...?" "Would you like to...?"

This usage is only used in very formal korean. In more casual korean, you would use -(으)ㄹ래(요)?

The honorific -시- is always used with -겠- in this usage.

Ex)

어디로 가시겠어요?

Where would you like to go? 

Similar: 어디로 갈래(요)?

2. -겠- (used to express one's intention) "I'm going to..." "I'd like to..."

Ex)

제가 하겠습니다.

I'll do it.

말하지 않겠습니다.

I won't tell you.

3. -겠- (used to express one's opinion/idea/assumption) "I think" "I guess" "I assume"

This is the most common usage of -겠- in casual and everyday conversation in Korean. You can use -겠- to show your opinion or assumption about something or what will happen, but you also give the nuance that you are somewhat careful with your opinion.

Ex)

아프겠어요.

That must hurt.

이게 좋겠어요.

I think this will be good.

늦겠어요.

(I think) You'll be late.

When you want to express your assumption or ask someone else's opinion about a possibility or capability, you can use -겠-.

Ex)

혼자서도 되겠어요?

Do you think you can handle it on your own?

저도 들어가겠네요.

Even I would (be able to) fit in.

4. -겠- used in fixed expressions.

In addition to the usages above, -겠- is also commonly used in some fixed expressions.

Ex)

알겠습니다.

I got it. I understand.

모르겠어요.

I don't get it. I don't know. I am not sure.

Ex) 힘들어 죽겠어요.

I'm so tired. This is so tough.