-(으)ㄹ까봐
Used when the speaker performs an action in the second clause BECAUSE they are afraid or worried that the potential event in the first clause might happen.
Summary
Equivalent
Worried that... might / For fear that...
Also: -(으)ㄹ지 몰라서 (Not knowing if... might... - similar but less emphatic worry) · -(으)면 어쩌나 해서 (Worried that if... - more colloquial)
Example
I left early because I was worried I might be late.
늦을까봐 일찍 출발했어요.
Grammar rules
- The first clause expresses the feared possibility, and the second clause describes the precaution taken.
- The feared outcome has not yet happened — it is a potential undesired future scenario.
- It can also be used at the end of a sentence ('-(으)ㄹ까봐 걱정돼요') to express the worry alone, without a precautionary second clause.
시험에 떨어질까봐 너무 걱정돼요. (I'm so worried that I might fail the exam.)
Patterns
Verbs
Future Worry/Fear · Verb Stem + (으)ㄹ까봐/봐서
Adjectives
Future Worry/Fear · Adjective Stem + (으)ㄹ까봐/봐서
Example sentences
I left early because I was worried I might be late.
늦을까봐 일찍 출발했어요.
I prepared more food because I was worried there might not be enough.
음식이 부족할까봐 더 많이 준비했어요.
I ran here because I was afraid I'd miss the bus.
버스를 놓칠까봐 뛰어서 왔어요.
Conversation
A: Why did you order so much food?
왜 이렇게 음식을 많이 시켰어요?
B: I prepared plenty because I was worried a lot of people might come.
사람들이 많이 올까봐 넉넉하게 준비했어요.
Practice
Fill in the blank
Select the correct precautionary expression for a feared possibility.
Getting lost.
Getting sick.