Unforeseen Possibilities In Korean: 을 거라고는 생각조차 못 했다

In Korean, the structure 을 거라고는 생각조차 못 했다 is used when expressing a sentiment akin to ‘I hadn’t even considered’, or ‘I couldn’t have imagined.’

This structure breaks down into three main parts:

  1. 을 거라고‘so you’re/it’s going to… right?’
  2. 생각조차‘didn’t even/so much as think’
  3. 못 했다to not be possible

By integrating these parts, the speaker can reflect on past beliefs or assumptions that were proven different from reality.

Examples of 을 거라고는 생각조차 못 했다

처음에 한국으로 이사했을 때, 4년 동안 거기에 살 거라고는 생각조차 못 했어요.
When I first moved to Korea, I couldn't have imagined that I would live there for four years.
여행을 계획할 때는 사우디 밖으로 나갔다가 돌아오기 위해 돈을 내야 될 거라고는 생각조차 못 했어요.
I hadn't even considered that you would have to pay to exit and re-enter Saudi Arabia when you go on holiday.
처음에 이 블로그를 썼을 때는 다른 한국어를 배우는 사람이 읽을 거라고는 생각조차 못 했어요.
When I first wrote this blog I didn't even consider that other Korean learners would read it.
한국에 있으면서 아내를 만날 거라고는 생각조차 못 했어요.
I hadn't even considered that I was going to meet my wife while I was in Korea.
바레인 생활과 사우디 생활의 차이가 클 거라고는 생각조차 못 했어요.
I hadn't even considered that there would be so many differences between life in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
제가 청소년 때는 영국 밖에 정착하게 될 거라고는 생각조차 못 했어요.
When I was a teenager, I never considered that I would end up settling down outside the UK.

Conclusion

The 을 거라고는 생각조차 못 했다 structure plays a crucial role in communicating unexpected possibilities in Korean.

As learners grasp this pattern, they can aptly express surprise or the unforeseen nature of certain events and situations in their conversations.

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