-(으)ㄹ까 봐(서)
(for) fear that, in case
Level 4 · Connective
Explanation
Doing (or not doing) something out of fear that something might happen. Vowel or ㄹ stems take ㄹ까 봐, consonant stems 을까 봐; past -았/었을까 봐. No command or suggestion afterwards.
Examples
늦을까 봐 택시를 탔어요.
I took a taxi in case I was late.
잊어버릴까 봐 메모해 두었어요.
I wrote it down in case I forgot.
부모님이 걱정하실까 봐 말씀 안 드렸어요.
I didn't tell my parents for fear they'd worry.
TOPIK note
TOPIK II Reading 1–2; Listening 21–24 (reasons).