Day 109: -(으)ㄹ까 봐(요) — "Worried That..." | Korean Grammar in 10 Minutes a Day
Day 109: -(으)ㄹ까 봐(요)
Level 6 · Korean Grammar in 10 Minutes a Day
▶️ This lesson starts at 1:58 in the Level 6 video — press play and repeat after me!
Grammar Point
-(으)ㄹ까 봐(요)
= worried that ___, so ___
| Stem with 받침 | → | -을까 봐(요) — 늦다 → 늦을까 봐요 |
| Stem without 받침 | → | -ㄹ까 봐(요) — 오다 → 올까 봐요 |
| Past worry (already happened) | → | -았/었을까 봐(요) — 늦다 → 늦었을까 봐요 |
Example Sentences 🎧
1. 저는 늦을까 봐 택시를 탔어요.
I took a taxi because I was worried I'd be late.
2. 아이가 넘어질까 봐 손을 잡았어요.
I held the child's hand because I was worried they'd fall.
3. 선생님께서 학생들이 이해를 못 할까 봐 다시 설명하셨어요.
The teacher explained again because she was worried the students wouldn't understand.
4. 친구가 화가 날까 봐 사실대로 말 못 했어요.
I couldn't tell the truth because I was worried my friend would get upset.
5. 비가 올까 봐 우산을 챙겼어요.
I brought an umbrella because I was worried it would rain.
6. 어머니는 제가 아플까 봐 항상 걱정하세요.
Mom always worries that I'll get sick.
7. 시험에 떨어질까 봐 밤새 공부했어요.
I studied all night because I was worried I'd fail the exam.
Key Vocabulary
| 넘어지다 | to fall down |
| 손을 잡다 | to hold hands |
| 이해를 못 하다 | to not understand |
| 사실대로 | truthfully / as it is |
| 챙기다 | to bring / pack |
| 떨어지다 | to fail (an exam) |
| 밤새 | all night |
✏️ Quiz Time
Quiz 1 — Fill in the Blank
- 저는 늦___ 택시를 탔어요. (을까 봐)
- 아이가 넘어지___ 손을 잡았어요. (ㄹ까 봐)
- 선생님께서 학생들이 이해를 못 하___ 다시 설명하셨어요. (ㄹ까 봐)
- 친구가 화가 나___ 사실대로 말 못 했어요. (ㄹ까 봐)
- 비가 오___ 우산을 챙겼어요. (ㄹ까 봐)
Quiz 2 — What's Wrong?
One thing is wrong in each sentence. Can you fix it?
- 택시를 탔어요 늦을까 봐 저는. → ______________
- 우산을 챙겼어요 올까 봐 비가. → ______________
- 공부했어요 밤새 떨어질까 봐 시험에. → ______________
👉 Show Answers
Quiz 1: 1. 을까 봐, 2. ㄹ까 봐, 3. ㄹ까 봐, 4. ㄹ까 봐, 5. ㄹ까 봐
Quiz 2: 1. 저는 늦을까 봐 택시를 탔어요. (어순) 2. 비가 올까 봐 우산을 챙겼어요. (어순) 3. 시험에 떨어질까 봐 밤새 공부했어요. (어순)
📝 Homework: Your Turn!
Tell me about something you worried about, using -(으)ㄹ까 봐:
Go to the YouTube video and share a sentence using -(으)ㄹ까 봐.
For example:
늦을까 봐 일찍 나왔어요.
Don't be shy — I read every one! 🙌