-(으)ㄹ까(요) in Korean: “shall we, I wonder”
-(으)ㄹ까(요)
-(eu)lkka(yo)
shall we, I wonder
Beginner · Sentence endings
-(으)ㄹ까(요) (-(eu)lkka-yo) means "shall we?", "shall I?" or "I wonder." It turns a sentence into a soft question that asks for the listener's opinion. It is one of the most useful question endings in Korean.
How to form it
| When | Add | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Stem ending in a vowel | + ㄹ까(요) | 가다 → 갈까요 |
| Stem ending in a consonant | + 을까(요) | 먹다 → 먹을까요 |
| Stem ending in ㄹ | + 까(요) | 만들다 → 만들까요 |
| ㅂ irregular adjective | ㅂ → 우, + ㄹ까(요) | 춥다 → 추울까요 |
| Past guess | 았/었 + 을까(요) | 가다 → 갔을까요 |
How to use it
With 우리 (we), it suggests doing something together: 우리 갈까요? ("Shall we go?"). With 제가 (I), it offers to do something: 제가 할까요? ("Shall I do it?").
With other subjects, or with adjectives, it means "I wonder" or "do you think?": 내일 비가 올까요? ("Do you think it will rain tomorrow?").
-(으)ㄹ까 is casual. -(으)ㄹ까요 is polite and soft, so it is a safe way to suggest something even to people above you.
Examples
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Suggesting lunch
Offering help
Wondering about the weather
Asking about an outfit
Don’t mix it up with
-(으)ㄹ래요: -(으)ㄹ래요? asks what the listener wants. -(으)ㄹ까요? suggests something or asks for their opinion.
-(으)ㅂ시다: -(으)ㅂ시다 directly says "let's." -(으)ㄹ까요 is softer because it asks first.
Common mistakes
Answering a question with the same ending. If someone asks 제가 할까요?, answer 네, 해 주세요, not 네, 할까요.
Using a consonant stem without 을. Say 먹을까요, not 먹까요.
Questions learners ask
What does 을까요 mean?
It means "shall we?", "shall I?" or "do you think?" It makes a soft suggestion or asks for an opinion.
How do I answer 갈까요?
If it means "shall we go?", answer 네, 가요 or 좋아요. If it means "shall I go?", answer 네, 가세요 or 아니요, 괜찮아요.
What is the difference between 할까요 and 할래요?
할까요? is "shall we/I do it?" and asks for your opinion. 할래요? is "do you want to do it?" and asks about your wish.