Expression dictionary — full article
Purpose & Intention · Be thinking of, Be considering, Be contemplating, Might do, Plan to (tentatively)
The grammatical pattern (으)ㄹ까 하다 is used to express that the speaker is thinking of or considering doing something. It conveys a tentative intention or a plan that is not yet firm, often implying a degree of contemplation or a soft, undecided thought process.
This expression is attached to verb stems to indicate a tentative plan or consideration. It's suitable when you are mulling over an idea, weighing options, or have a soft intention that you haven't fully committed to yet. The nuance is softer and less definite than simply stating a future plan with -(으)ㄹ 거예요 or -려고 하다, suggesting that the speaker is still in the process of deciding or is open to other possibilities. It often translates to 'I'm thinking of doing X' or 'I might do X'.
The conjugation depends on the final consonant of the verb stem:
This expression is often used in casual conversation to share one's current thoughts or potential plans. It's less formal than stating a firm decision. While similar to -려고 하다 (to intend to), (으)ㄹ까 하다 carries a stronger nuance of consideration or hesitation, implying the decision isn't fully made yet. Think of it as 'I'm playing with the idea of...' rather than 'I'm going to...'. It can also be used to express a gentle suggestion or a self-reflection about what one might do.