-(으)ㄹ세라
Used to indicate that the subject performs an action because they are worried or anxious that the situation in the first clause might occur.
Summary
Equivalent
For fear that..., Lest..., Worried that...
Also: -(으)ㄹ까 봐
Example
Worried that the children would be cold, I dressed them in thick clothes.
아이들이 추울세라 옷을 두껍게 입혔다.
Grammar rules
- It has a more literary or old-fashioned nuance compared to '-(으)ㄹ까 봐'.
- It often describes diligent or careful actions taken to avoid a negative outcome.
Patterns
V/A (Verbs/Adjectives)
현재 (Present) · -(으)ㄹ세라
Example sentences
Worried that the children would be cold, I dressed them in thick clothes.
아이들이 추울세라 옷을 두껍게 입혔다.
I ate carefully for fear that food might get on my clothes.
옷에 음식이 묻을세라 조심스럽게 먹었다.
Lest I miss important content, I diligently wrote it down.
중요한 내용을 놓칠세라 열심히 받아 적었다.
Conversation
A: Why are you in such a hurry?
왜 그렇게 서두르세요?
B: I left early for fear of missing the train.
기차를 놓칠세라 일찍 나왔어요.
Practice
Fill in the blank
Select the correct 'worried that' phrase.
Quiet whispering.
Hurry to work.