-을 / -ㄹ (modifier)
-을: Describing What Hasn’t Happened Yet
Prospective modifier ending — the following noun is described by an action or state that is not a settled fact yet.
How to form it
| When | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Consonant stem (not ㄹ) | stem + -을 + noun | 먹다 → 먹을 음식 / 읽다 → 읽을 책 |
| Vowel or ㄹ stem | stem + -ㄹ + noun | 가다 → 갈 곳 / 만들다 → 만들 음식 / 어렵다 → 어려울 일 |
| Common frames | -을 것 / -을 수 / -을 거예요 | 할 것 같아요 / 할 수 있어요 / 할 거예요 |
This -을 / -ㄹ turns a verb or adjective into something that describes a noun by what is not settled yet — planned, expected, possible.
It is not the object particle 을/를. Same Hangul stretch, different job.
Pair it with -은/-는 (modifier) so the three-way map is clear:
| Modifier | Typical job | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -는 | action now / ongoing | 먹는 음식 |
| -은 / -ㄴ | past action or adjective state | 먹은 음식 / 작은 집 |
| -을 / -ㄹ | not-yet / prospective | 먹을 음식 |
Forms
| Stem | Shape | Example |
|---|---|---|
| consonant (not ㄹ) | -을 | 읽을 책, 먹을 것 |
| vowel / ㄹ | -ㄹ | 갈 곳, 만들 음식, 어려울 일 |
세종 초급2 appointment unit title: 이번 일요일은 좀 어려울 것 같아요 — prospective -을 on 어렵- before 것.
내일 만날 사람
the person (I’m) meeting tomorrow
할 일이 많아요.
I have a lot to do.
먹을 거 있어요?
Is there anything to eat?Not the object particle
| Job | Sits after | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 을/를 object | noun | 밥을 먹어요 |
| modifier -을 | verb/adj stem | 먹을 밥 |
*밥을을 먹어요 is nonsense. 먹을 밥 is “rice to eat.”
Built-in frames you already half-know
Once you see modifier -을, several “chunks” unlock:
| Frame | Page |
|---|---|
| -을 것 같다 | -을 것 같다 |
| -을 수 있다 | -을 수 있다 |
| -을 거예요 | -을 것 |
They are not mysterious idioms first — they are this modifier + a noun (것/수) + a verb.
Practice rule
Ask: is the noun being described by something already true, happening now, or still ahead / open? Ahead → -을/-ㄹ.
Do not confuse it with
Taught alongside this
On the jabi learning path, this appears in 이번 일요일은 좀 어려울 것 같아요 (This Sunday is going to be a little difficult.) — Beginner Korean 2, Unit 20, on the theme of promise. These come with it:
Words used above
Quick check
No sign-up, no score saved — just see if it stuck.
1. Which means 'food (someone) will eat / is to eat'?
2. Is this the same 을 as in 밥을 먹어요?
3. 어려울 것 같아요 uses which -을 job?
Common questions
How does this sit next to -는 / -은?
-은/-는 (modifier) covers present action (-는) and past/adjective (-은/-ㄴ). This page is the prospective slot (-을/-ㄹ) for what is planned, expected, or not yet fixed.
Dictionary senses?
우리말샘 lists modifier -을 for making a prenominal form, including senses that mark conjecture, schedule, will, or possibility — not a settled fact. Beginner lines lean on that prospective reading.
ㄹ-final stems?
Keep ㄹ and add -ㄹ: 살다 → 살 집, 만들다 → 만들 음식. Do not invent *사을 집.
Why do I keep seeing -을 것 같다?
Because eul-geot-gatda is built on this modifier plus 것 같다. Learn -을 itself and that hedge becomes transparent.