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-(으)ㄹ까요? vs -(으)ㄹ래요

Beginner · TOPIK I

-(으)ㄹ까요? asks for the listener's opinion ('Shall we…?', 'Shall I…?') or wonders ('Do you think…?'); -(으)ㄹ래요? asks about the listener's own wish ('Do you want to…?') and, as a statement, gives your own wish.

-(으)ㄹ까요?(informal addressee-raising) An expression used by the speaker to guess and ask about something not happening yet, or unknown.-(으)ㄹ래요(informal addressee-raising) An expression used to indicate the speaker's intention to do something in the future, or to ask for the listener's thoughts about that.

Rules of thumb

  • Inviting: (우리) …ㄹ까요? 'Shall we…?' vs …ㄹ래요? 'Would you like to…?' — both work as invitations.
  • Offering help: 제가 …ㄹ까요? 'Shall I…?'. -(으)ㄹ래요 can't do this.
  • Guessing or wondering: only -(으)ㄹ까요? (내일 비가 올까요? 'Will it rain tomorrow?').
  • -(으)ㄹ까요 is only a question; -(으)ㄹ래요 can also be a statement of your wish (저는 집에 있을래요 'I'll stay home').

Example sentences

  • -(으)ㄹ까요?

    Shall we see a movie together this weekend?

  • -(으)ㄹ래요

    Do you want a cup of coffee?

  • -(으)ㄹ까요?

    Shall I open the window?

  • -(으)ㄹ까요?

    Do you think it'll rain tomorrow?

  • -(으)ㄹ래요

    I'm tired, so I'll just stay home.

Often confused with

← All confused pairs