V/A + -(으)ㄹ까 봐(서) – For Fear That / Worried That...

Conjugation & Pattern

• Present / Future: V/A stem without batchim/ㄹ batchim + -ㄹ까 봐(서) | With batchim + -을까 봐(서)
• Past: V/A + -았/었을까 봐(서) | Noun: N + 일까 봐(서)

Detailed Usage

Has two main uses: (1) Expressing worry or apprehension that an undesirable event might occur, prompting a precautionary action in the main clause; (2) Explaining a choice made on the assumption that it would be better (e.g., 택시가 더 빠를까 봐 택시를 탔어요).

Example Sentences

1. 1

   오후에 비가 올까 봐 우산을 챙겨 왔는데 비가 안 오네요.

   Ohue biga olkka bwa usaneul chaenggyeo wanneunde biga an oneyo.

   Worried that it might rain in the afternoon, I brought an umbrella, but it isn't raining.

2. 2

   부모님께서 걱정하실까 봐 아픈 것을 아직 말씀드리지 못했어요.

   Bumonimkkeseo geokjeonghasilkka bwa apeun geoseul ajik malsseumdeuriji mothaesseoyo.

   For fear that my parents might worry, I haven't been able to tell them I was sick.

3. 3

   버스를 타면 늦을까 봐 택시를 탔는데도 결국 지각했어요.

   Beoseureul tamyeon neujeulkka bwa taeksireul tanneundedo gyeolguk jigakhaesseoyo.

   Worried I might be late if I took the bus, I took a taxi, yet I ended up late anyway.