Lesson 22. Many ways to say, “Shall we? Shall I?” | Verb-ㄹ/을까요?, -ㄹ/을래요?)

    1. Verb-ㄹ/을까(요)?

‘Verb-ㄹ/을까(요)’ is used when you are asking yourself a question or are unsure about something. It most commonly translates to: ‘I wonder…’

Ex. 주말에 뭐 할까? = I wonder what I should do on the weekend…

Ex. 아빠가 괜찮을까? = I wonder if dad will be okay…

When used in such context, the question of doing the verb is not directed at someone in particular.

However, it can also be used when:

a) Making a suggestion for us to do (Shall we~?)

Ex. 다 먹었으니까 이제 갈까요? = Now that we are done eating, shall we go?

Ex. 공부를 시작해 볼까? = Shall we start studying?

b) Asking if something is right/okay for me or someone to do (Shall I~?, Would it be okay if I~?)

Ex. 한국에 1년 더 있을까? = Shall I stay in Korea for a year more?

Ex. 이렇게 하면 괜찮을까요? = Would it be okay to do like this?

Ex. 몸이 편찮으시면 집에서 쉬시는 게 낫지 않을까요? If you are sick, wouldn’t it be better to stay home?

2. Verb-ㄹ/을래(요)?

‘Verb-ㄹ/을래’ is another grammar pattern that is used quite similarly as the ‘Verb-ㄹ/을까’ grammar i.e., to make suggestions. It can be translated as ‘Do you want to…?’ or ‘Would you like to…?’

Ex. 오늘은 등산 갈래요? = Would you like to go hiking?

Ex. 나랑 같이 밥 먹으러 갈래? = Would you like to go eat food with me?

Ex. 우리 집에 올래요? = Do you want to come to my house?

When both Verb-ㄹ/을까 and -ㄹ/을래 have the meaning of making suggestions, it is possible to use them interchangeably in some cases like 

Ex. 영화 볼까요? = Shall we watch a movie? (Do you think it’s a good idea?)

Ex. 영화 볼래요? = Do you want to watch a movie? (Inviting someone to watch a movie with me)

Both the above sentences convey practically the same meaning, and hence either of the two grammar structures can be used.

Ex. 햄버거 시킬까요? = Shall we order a hamburger?

or 햄버거 시킬래요? = Do you want to order a hamburger?

When both are used as suggestions, the subtle difference between the two forms would be that ‘Verb-ㄹ/을까’ is closer to asking if something is a good idea, while ‘verb-ㄹ/을래’ has more of the meaning of inviting someone to do something. Also, -ㄹ/을까 is usually used when suggesting for “us” to do something, whereas -ㄹ/을래 can be used when suggesting both “we” and “you” do something.