생각해 볼게요
The English phrase "i will think about it" is translated into Korean as 생각해 볼게요.
In many social contexts, 생각해 볼게요 can function as a soft, polite way to decline an offer or suggestion without saying a direct "no".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 생각하다 (to think), the auxiliary verb -어 보다 meaning "to try doing something" and the -ㄹ게요 ending which indicates a promise or intention.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 생각해 볼게요 uses a polite sentence ending suitable for most social situations, including speaking to strangers or colleagues. For close friends or people younger than you, use the informal 생각해 볼게.
Did you know?
- The auxiliary verb -어 보다 in this phrase literally means 'to see', suggesting that the speaker will 'try and see' what their thoughts yield.
- In Korean business culture, 생각해 볼게요 is often interpreted as a 'no' if it is not followed by a specific date or time for a follow-up answer.
- Korean has a concept called 'nunchi' or 'eye-measure', and 생각해 볼게요 is a prime example of using language to preserve the other person's 'chemyeon' or 'face'.
Examples in context
- 잠시 생각해 볼게요I'll think about it for a moment.
- 제안해주셔서 감사해요. 생각해 볼게요.je-an-hae-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-hae-yo. saeng-gak-hae bol-ge-yo.Thank you for the suggestion. I will think about it.
- 그 문제는 조금 더 생각해 볼게요.geu mun-je-neun jo-geum deo saeng-gak-hae bol-ge-yo.I will think about that problem a little more.
- 내일까지 생각해 볼게요.nae-il-kka-ji saeng-gak-hae bol-ge-yo.I will think about it by tomorrow.
Example conversation
Minji asks Dohyeon if he wants to go to a concert with her.
- 민지 Min-ji도현 씨, 이번 주말에 콘서트 갈래요?Do-hyeon ssi, i-beon ju-mal-e kon-seu-teu gal-lae-yo?Dohyeon, do you want to go to a concert this weekend?
- 도현 Do-hyeon좋은데, 일정 좀 생각해 볼게요.Jo-eun-de, il-jeong jom saeng-gak-hae bol-ge-yo.That sounds good, but I will think about my schedule.
- 민지 Min-ji알겠어요. 결정하면 꼭 알려주세요.Al-get-eo-yo. gyeol-jeong-ha-myeon kkok al-ryeo-ju-se-yo.I understand. Please let me know once you decide.
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 그럴게요.Ne, geu-reol-ge-yo.Yes, I will.
