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“I think I’ll be late today” in Korean: 오늘 늦을 것 같아요
오늘 늦을 것 같아요
oneul neujeul geot gatayo
Meaning
I think I’ll be late today.
Usage note
늦다 means “to be late.” ~ㄹ 것 같아요 politely expresses a situation that is not yet certain: “it looks like ~.”
Romanization follows the Revised Romanization system and is a guide to pronunciation.
Practical guide
When to use it
Text a boss or a friend that you will be late. Add the reason and 죄송해요 so it doesn’t sound careless.
Watch out
늦을 것 같아요 is an estimate, while 늦었어요 means you are already late. To a boss, 늦을 것 같습니다 is more formal.
How to pronounce it
In natural speech, sounds link and shift across words. The table below reads each word separately, as it sounds when said on its own.
| Syllable | Letters (consonant + vowel + final) | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| 오늘 | ||
| 오 | ㅇ+ㅗ | o |
| 늘 | ㄴ+ㅡ+ㄹ | neul |
| 늦을 | ||
| 늦 | ㄴ+ㅡ+ㅈ | [느] neu |
| 을 | ㅇ+ㅡ+ㄹ | [즐] jeul |
| 것 | ㄱ+ㅓ+ㅅ | [걷] geot |
| 같아요 | ||
| 같 | ㄱ+ㅏ+ㅌ | [가] ga |
| 아 | ㅇ+ㅏ | [타] ta |
| 요 | ㅇ+ㅛ | yo |
A ㅇ at the start of a syllable is silent; at the end of a syllable it sounds like “ng”.
Sound changes in this phrase
- Linking: when a syllable ending in a consonant (patchim) is followed by a syllable that starts with a vowel, the consonant moves over to the next syllable. 늦을 → [느즐]
- Final-sound reduction: every final consonant is pronounced as one of seven sounds — ㄱ, ㄴ, ㄷ, ㄹ, ㅁ, ㅂ or ㅇ. 것 → [걷]
Speech style
Ends in -요. The everyday polite style, and a safe choice with shop staff, colleagues, strangers and anyone older than you.
Phrases that use the same word
Phrases with “늦을”
- 약속 시간에 좀 늦을 것 같아I think I’ll be a little late. (casual)
- 길이 막혀서 늦을 것 같아요Traffic is heavy, so I think I’ll be late
Phrases with “같아요”
- 길을 잃어버린 것 같아요I think I’m lost
- 병원에 가야 할 것 같아요I think I need to go to the hospital
- 마음 한구석이 짠해서 눈물이 날 것 같아요Something tugs at my heart and I’m close to tears
Quick self-check
Test yourself before you move on. Tap an answer.
Question 1 What does “오늘 늦을 것 같아요” mean?
Show the answer
Answer: I think I’ll be late today
Question 2 How do you say “I think I’ll be late today” in Korean?
Show the answer
Answer: 오늘 늦을 것 같아요 oneul neujeul geot gatayo
Reinforce what you learn with typing drills and quizzes.
Practice nowMore phrases for this situation
- 회의는 오후 두 시에 시작합니다The meeting starts at 2 p.m
- 이메일 보내 드리겠습니다I’ll send you an email
- 잠시만 기다려 주세요Please wait a moment
- 수업 시간에 모르는 단어가 있었어요There was a word I didn’t know in class
- 다시 한번 말씀해 주세요Could you say that once more, please?
- 도서관에서 공부하고 있어요I’m studying at the library
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