Korean grammar patterns › Level 3
-(으)ㄹ 텐데
would/should probably … (expectation, often with concern)
Level 3 · TOPIK II · intermediate
How to use it
States the speaker's expectation or guess as background for what follows (advice, worry, contrast). At the end of a sentence, -(으)ㄹ 텐데(요) expresses worry or a wish: 비가 오면 안 될 텐데요.
Forming it
| 바쁘다 | → 바쁠 텐데 |
| 춥다 | → 추울 텐데 |
| 오다 | → 올 텐데 |
| 학생 | → 학생일 텐데 |
Examples
많이 피곤할 텐데 오늘은 일찍 쉬세요.
You must be very tired, so rest early today.
시간이 좀 더 있으면 좋을 텐데 아쉬워요.
It would be nice to have a bit more time; it's a pity.
Compared with similar patterns
-(으)ㄹ 테니까 gives an intention or guess as a firm reason for a request. -(으)ㄴ/는데 gives background without the sense of expectation.