How to Say 'I Think' in Korean to Soften Disagreement Politely
Learn the Korean patterns -geot gatayo and -ji anheul geot gatayo to disagree softly, so you can say 'I think that might not work' without sounding blunt.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
In Korean, disagreeing directly can sound abrupt, especially with people you do not know well. A simple 'That won't work' may come across as too strong. The polite solution is to wrap your opinion in a 'think' expression. The most useful pattern is -(으)ㄴ/는 것 같아요 (-(eu)n/neun geot gatayo), which literally means 'it seems like' or 'I think.' By adding this ending, you turn a flat statement into a gentle impression. In this lesson you will learn how to say 'I think that might not work,' 'I think it is a little difficult,' and similar soft disagreements. You will also learn the negative form -지 않을 것 같아요 (-ji anheul geot gatayo), which is perfect for saying something probably will not happen. This lesson focuses only on softening disagreement, not on agreeing.
By the end, you can…
- use -(으)ㄴ/는 것 같아요 to express a soft opinion or impression.
- disagree politely by saying something might not work or might be difficult.
- use -지 않을 것 같아요 to say I think something will not happen.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
그건 좀 어려울 것 같아요.
I think that might be a little difficult.
geu-geon jom eo-ryeo-ul geot ga-ta-yo
A gentle way to reject an idea or request without saying 'no' directly.
그건 잘 안 될 것 같아요.
I think that might not work well.
geu-geon jal an doel geot ga-ta-yo
Use when a plan or method seems unlikely to succeed.
제 생각에는 좀 무리인 것 같아요.
In my opinion, I think it is a bit too much.
je saeng-gak-e-neun jom mu-ri-in geot ga-ta-yo
Adds 'in my opinion' to make the disagreement clearly personal and polite.
시간이 없을 것 같아요.
I think there might not be enough time.
si-gan-i eop-seul geot ga-ta-yo
A practical reason-based soft disagreement about scheduling.
다시 생각해 보는 게 좋을 것 같아요.
I think it might be better to think about it again.
da-si saeng-gak-hae bo-neun ge jo-eul geot ga-ta-yo
Suggests reconsidering without directly criticizing the other person's idea.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is -(으)ㄴ/는 것 같아요. With action verbs, attach 는 것 같아요: 하다 (hada, 'to do') becomes 하는 것 같아요 (haneun geot gatayo, 'I think [someone] does it'). With descriptive verbs, attach (으)ㄴ 것 같아요: 어렵다 (eoryeopda, 'to be difficult') becomes 어려운 것 같아요 (eoryeoun geot gatayo, 'I think it is difficult'). For future or probable situations, use -(으)ㄹ 것 같아요: 안 되다 (an doeda, 'to not work') becomes 안 될 것 같아요 (an doel geot gatayo, 'I think it will not work'). To make the negative softer, use -지 않을 것 같아요: 없지 않을 것 같아요 is unnatural, but 시간이 없을 것 같아요 (sigani eopseul geot gatayo) is natural. The ending 같아요 already includes polite -요, so it is safe in most everyday situations.
When to use it
Use these patterns when you want to disagree with a suggestion, plan, or opinion without sounding harsh. For example, if a coworker suggests a meeting at 8 a.m., you can say 아침 8시는 좀 어려울 것 같아요 (achim yeodeol si-neun jom eoryeoul geot gatayo, 'I think 8 a.m. might be a little difficult'). If a friend proposes an expensive trip, you can say 지금은 무리일 것 같아요 (jigeum-eun muriil geot gatayo, 'I think it is too much right now'). This pattern is also useful when you are not completely sure: 그 방법은 잘 모르겠지만, 안 될 것 같아요 (geu bangbeob-eun jal moreugessjiman, an doel geot gatayo, 'I am not sure about that method, but I think it will not work'). Avoid using it for strong, factual disagreement where you are certain; in those cases, a direct statement may be more appropriate.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
내일 회의를 아침 7시에 할까요?
Shall we have the meeting at 7 a.m. tomorrow?nae-il hoe-ui-reul a-chim il-gop si-e hal-kka-yo?아침 7시는 좀 어려울 것 같아요.
I think 7 a.m. might be a little difficult.a-chim il-gop si-neun jom eo-ryeo-ul geot ga-ta-yo그럼 10시는 어때요?
Then how about 10 o'clock?geu-reom yeol si-neun eo-ttae-yo?네, 10시가 좋을 것 같아요.
Yes, I think 10 o'clock would be good.ne, yeol si-ga jo-eul geot ga-ta-yoA little context goes a long way
In Korean, indirectness is often a sign of respect, not weakness. Using -것 같아요 with a soft tone helps protect the other person's feelings, especially with superiors, elders, or new acquaintances. Among close friends, you can drop 요 and say 것 같아, but with anyone older or in a formal setting, keep the polite -요 ending. Also, adding 좀 (jom, 'a little') before the adjective makes the disagreement even gentler.
One thing to watch for
Learners often say 안 돼요 (an dwaeyo, 'It does not work') as a direct translation of 'That won't work.'
Try this instead: 안 돼요 can sound blunt or even rude in polite disagreement. Instead, use 안 될 것 같아요 (an doel geot gatayo, 'I think it might not work') to soften the statement. For example, 그 계획은 안 될 것 같아요 (geu gyehoek-eun an doel geot gatayo) is much more polite than 그 계획은 안 돼요.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you politely say 'I think that might be a little difficult' in Korean?
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그건 좀 어려울 것 같아요.
This uses the descriptive verb 어렵다 with -(으)ㄹ 것 같아요 for a probable future situation, plus 좀 to soften it. You could also say 그건 좀 어려운 것 같아요 if you mean it seems difficult right now.
2Change the direct sentence 안 돼요 (It does not work) into a soft disagreement.
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안 될 것 같아요.
Adding -(으)ㄹ 것 같아요 turns the blunt statement into 'I think it might not work.' You can also say 잘 안 될 것 같아요 to mean 'I think it might not work well.'
3What is the difference between 어려운 것 같아요 and 어려울 것 같아요?
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어려운 것 같아요 means 'I think it is difficult' (current impression), while 어려울 것 같아요 means 'I think it will be difficult' (future or probable).
The ending -(으)ㄴ 것 같아요 describes a present state, and -(으)ㄹ 것 같아요 describes a future or likely situation. Both are polite and useful for softening disagreement.
To disagree politely in Korean, wrap your opinion in -것 같아요: 그건 좀 어려울 것 같아요. It keeps your tone soft, respectful, and clear.
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