Expression dictionary — full article
Purpose & Intention · I will..., I shall..., I intend to... Quick Usage: Used only in the first person (speaker's intention).
V+(으)마 is a declarative ending used to express the speaker's strong intention or firm promise to the listener. While it conveys a resolute will, it carries a somewhat archaic or formal nuance, making it less frequently used in modern everyday conversation.
This ending is primarily used by the first-person speaker to declare their own future action or commitment. It emphasizes the speaker's strong will or promise, often with a sense of determination or even a warning. Due to its old-fashioned or formal nuance, it is more commonly encountered in historical dramas, literature, or by older generations for added emphasis. It can sometimes sound like a firm warning or a dramatic declaration depending on the context and tone.
V+(으)마 attaches to the stem of a verb.
If the verb stem ends in a final consonant (받침), add -으마.
If the verb stem ends in a final vowel or the consonant 'ㄹ', add -마.
V+(으)마 is distinct from other future or intention endings. While -(으)ㄹ게 is a common and polite way to express a first-person intention or promise, often with consideration for the listener, V+(으)마 is more declarative and less concerned with politeness, focusing purely on the speaker's resolute will. -(으)ㄹ 것이다 expresses a general future tense or probability, not necessarily a personal promise. -(으)려고 하다 expresses an intention, but without the same level of firm declaration to the listener that V+(으)마 carries.
Due to its somewhat dramatic and dated feel, learners are generally advised to recognize V+(으)마 when encountered in media or literature rather than actively using it in casual modern Korean conversations, where it might sound unnatural or overly formal.