What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 해볼게요 is a combination of 하다 (to do), the auxiliary verb -어 보다 (to try doing something) and the future intention ending -ㄹ게요 (I will).
Which one should you use?
Compared to the more assertive 하겠습니다 (I will do it), 해볼게요 sounds slightly more tentative, as if the speaker is expressing a willingness to attempt rather than a guaranteed result.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In casual speech with friends or people younger than you, you can drop the '요' to say 해볼게. You can also use 노력해볼게 or 노력해 볼게요. For highly formal settings, such as a business presentation or a job interview, 해 보겠습니다 is the appropriate version to use. Other formal ways to say 'I will try' include 노력하겠습니다 and 노력하겠어요.
How does it change in a sentence?
The ending -ㄹ게요 expresses a promise or a decision made by the speaker to the listener, making it a polite way to express intention.
How do you pronounce it?
haebolgeyo
Did you know?
- While 노력해볼게요 means 'I will try', Koreans often use it as a polite way to soften a 'no' or a 'maybe' when they feel pressured to agree to a request.
- The phrase -어 보다 in 해볼게요 literally translates to 'to see through an action', implying you want to 'see' if the action works.
- In professional settings, saying 해볼게요 can be risky because the -어 보다 part implies the outcome is uncertain. A boss may perceive this as a lack of confidence compared to the definitive 하겠습니다.
Examples in context
- 이 프로젝트에 최선을 다해 노력하겠어요.I will do my best and put in all my effort for this project.
- 많이 바빠도 노력해볼게!Even though I'm busy, I will try my best!
- 시도해 볼게요.I will give it a try.
- 한번 해볼게요.hanbeon haebolgeyo.I will try it once.
- 제가 한번 해볼게요.jega hanbeon haebolgeyo.I will try it myself.
- 열심히 해볼게요.yeolsimhi haebolgeyo.I will try my best.
Example conversation
At the office, Minji asks Jihun to help with a difficult task.
- 민지 Min-ji지훈 씨, 이 업무 좀 도와줄 수 있어요?Jihun ssi, i eommu jom dowajul su isseoyo?Jihun, can you help with this task?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 제가 한번 해볼게요.Ne, jega hanbeon haebolgeyo.Yes, I will try it.
- 민지 Min-ji고마워요, 잘 부탁해요.Gomawoyo, jal butakaeyo.Thank you, I'm counting on you.
- 지훈 Ji-hun걱정 마세요, 민지 씨.Geokjeong maseyo, Minji ssi.Don't worry, Minji.
