비가 올 것 같아요. vs 비가 올 지 몰라요. vs 비가 올 수도 있어요.
어떻게 뜻이 달라요?

1) 비가 올 것 같아요. = I think it's going to rain. = It will probably rain.
2) 비가 올 지 몰라요. = I don't know if it will rain. = It might rain.
3) 비가 올 수도 있어요. = There is a possibility that it will rain. = It could rain. = It might rain.

I tried to use the most literal translation first, but in the lessons I am reading, I also see the word "might" used to explain all of these expressions.

I feel that 1) is more probably than 2). In 1), the chance is very good. In 2), I don't know one way or the other. And 3) seems to be the same as 2.

How are they different?

감사합니다!

Question

비가 올 것 같아요. vs 비가 올 지 몰라요. vs 비가 올 수도 있어요.
어떻게 뜻이 달라요?

1) 비가 올 것 같아요. = I think it's going to rain. = It will probably rain.
2) 비가 올 지 몰라요. = I don't know if it will rain. = It might rain.
3) 비가 올 수도 있어요. = There is a possibility that it will rain. = It could rain. = It might rain.

I tried to use the most literal translation first, but in the lessons I am reading, I also see the word "might" used to explain all of these expressions.

I feel that 1) is more probably than 2). In 1), the chance is very good. In 2), I don't know one way or the other. And 3) seems to be the same as 2.

How are they different?

감사합니다!

Answer

They don't have any difference. They are rather, exactly the same expressions!

Answer

Thanks 현경이!

Answer

In my opinion 1)비 올 것 같아요 sounds most objective, it makes me imagine that the speaker is looking up to the sky or has just looked - so, based on your observation, you would say 비 올 것 같아요. And I'd assume you say it's going to rain very soon. 2)비 올 지도 몰라요 sounds slightly concerned, like "so you/we should get prepared in case it rains". 3)비 올 수도 있어요 sounds more certain than 2).

Answer

Haha, thanks. I would probably have the same trouble explaining the English difference between "It might rain", "It may rain", "It could rain", etc. Much of the explanation can only come from experience using them.

Can you tell me if all three of those sentence structures are used commonly and naturally in Korean? Can I safely interchange them?

Thanks!

Answer

what a hard question. i'm native. but i don't know clearly. wow....