-(으)ㄹ래(요) in Korean: “do you want to, I'll (choosing)”
-(으)ㄹ래(요)
-(eu)llae(yo)
do you want to, I'll (choosing)
Beginner · Sentence endings
-(으)ㄹ래(요) (-(eu)llae-yo) means "I'll" or "I want to" in a statement, and "do you want to?" in a question. It is about what someone feels like doing. You hear it constantly when friends make plans or order food.
How to form it
| When | Add | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb stem ending in a vowel | + ㄹ래(요) | 가다 → 갈래요, 보다 → 볼래요 |
| Verb stem ending in a consonant | + 을래(요) | 먹다 → 먹을래요 |
| Verb stem ending in ㄹ | + 래(요) | 놀다 → 놀래요 |
| ㄷ and ㅂ irregular verbs | change the stem, + 을래(요) | 듣다 → 들을래요, 돕다 → 도울래요 |
How to use it
In a statement, -(으)ㄹ래요 tells your own choice or wish: 저는 커피 마실래요 ("I'll have coffee"). In a question, it asks the other person what they want: 뭐 먹을래? ("What do you want to eat?").
It is only used with verbs, and only about "I" in statements or "you" in questions. For what someone else wants, use -고 싶어 해요.
-(으)ㄹ래 is casual. -(으)ㄹ래요 is polite but still friendly and relaxed. With a boss or in formal service, people use -(으)시겠어요? instead, as in 뭐 드시겠어요?
Examples
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Ordering at a restaurant
Inviting a friend
Refusing
Offering a seat
Don’t mix it up with
-(으)ㄹ게요: -(으)ㄹ게요 is a promise or decision made with the listener in mind ("I'll do it for you"). -(으)ㄹ래요 is simply what you feel like doing.
-(으)ㄹ까요: -(으)ㄹ까요? suggests "shall we?" or asks for an opinion. -(으)ㄹ래요? asks what the listener personally wants.
-래요 (quoting): 학생이래요 means "they say he's a student," a shortened quote. The "want to" ending always has ㄹ attached to a verb, as in 갈래요.
Common mistakes
Using it for a third person. "Minsu wants to go" is 민수는 가고 싶어 해요, not 민수는 갈래요.
Asking a boss 커피 마실래요? It sounds too casual. Try 커피 드시겠어요? instead.
Want the basics first? Read "Want to" in Korean (-고 싶다).
Questions learners ask
What does 래요 mean in 갈래요?
In 갈래요, -ㄹ래요 means "I'll" or "I want to." As a question, 갈래요? means "Do you want to go?"
What is the difference between 할래요 and 할게요?
할래요 is your own wish ("I want to do it"). 할게요 is a promise or decision, often for the listener's sake ("I'll do it, don't worry").
Is 을래요 polite?
It is polite but casual in feel. It is great with friends, coworkers and people your age, but less fitting with a boss or customers.