-(으)ㄹ걸(요) has two main uses: expressing regret about past choices, or making suppositions about present/future.
Regret - 갈걸 (I should have gone) - wish I had done differently
Supposition - 올걸요 (I bet they will come) - confident guess
Mild assertion - Softer than direct statements
I should have brought an umbrella.
Context determines whether it expresses regret or supposition.
Regret vs Supposition
- 1st person + past situation = regret (갈걸 = I should have gone)
- 3rd person or future = guess (올걸요 = I bet they will come)
Often trailing off
- 그렇게 할걸... (I should have done that...)
- Implies unspoken continuation
요 for politeness
- 걸 (casual)
- 걸요 (polite casual)
I should have studied harder.
They have probably arrived by now.
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