ㄹ/을까 봐
Hi, I’ve been learning 을까 하다 and found out that I can replace it with 봐 (I know that it also means to be worried) but is the meaning the same or it has a different nuance? Does it also translate as „I’m thinking of”?
+ I tried to look it up on naver and I found this weird 야 할까 봐 form which was mostly translated as „should” so could you explain to me how is it different from 야 되다 or 면 되요 for example? How is this form built and how can I translate it?

Question

ㄹ/을까 봐
Hi, I’ve been learning 을까 하다 and found out that I can replace it with 봐  (I know that it also means to be worried) but is the meaning the same or it has a different nuance? Does it also translate as „I’m thinking of”? 
+ I tried to look it up on naver and I found this weird 야 할까 봐 form which was mostly translated as „should” so could you explain to me how is it different from 야 되다 or 면 되요 for example? How is this form built and how can I translate it?

Answer

There two cases of -ㄹ까 봐, so it makes three similar looking phrase which are not all the same.

1. V-ㄹ까 하다 = I am thinking of V-ing (express an tentative plan).
2. V-ㄹ까 보다 = similar to #1, but sounds even more tentative, often with misgivings or concerns.
3. V-ㄹ까 봐 ... = lest I/they should V / for fear that ... / in case ... (a subordinate clause expressing a concern)

So #3 has an entirely different meaning, even though #2 and #3 can take the same from -ㄹ까 봐.

Examples:
1. 아이 학교 때문에 이사할까 해 = I'm considering moving because of the kid's school.
2. 아이 학교 때문에 이사할까 봐 = (same - slightly more tentative)
3. 아이가 다칠까 봐 천과 솜으로 된 장난감만 사고 있어 = I am only buying clothes and cotton made toys in case my boy gets hurt.

While #1 and #2 indicates the speaker's (tentative) intent, #3 shows what they fear and want to avoid.

Answers · 1

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