Learn Korean: 알아서 + Verb

Let’s take a look at the Korean sentence pattern 알아서 + Verb. We say 내가 알아서 할게 to assure someone that we will take care of a problem, take responsibility for it, and do our best to resolve it. We use this pattern to give someone full freedom to do whatever he wants with something we ask him to do. For example, when I was cleaning my room, I came across photos of my ex-boyfriend. There was no reason for me to keep them. So I ask you (Please) Burn them with the nuance it’s up to you how to do it, I don’t mind. To burn in Korean is 태우다. To add the nuance please-do-it-for-me, we add 주다 to the 아/어/여 form of 태우다. It becomes 태워 주다. The verb comes after 알아서. The actual sentence is (네가) 알아서 태워 줘/태워 주라, etc. We also use this pattern to tell someone that he doesn’t have to worry or bother about something because we will take care of it. It may be a big problem or simple life choices. For example, we are at the café and I am buying you coffee. You are not a coffee person so you can’t decide what to drink. So I say I will order for you with the nuance I will decide and make sure it is something you’d like. To order food/drink in Korean is 시키다. To add the nuance I-will-do-it-for-you, we attach the (으)게(요) verb ending. We take the verb stem (시키) and attach ㄹ게요. If the verb stem ends in a consonant, use 을게요. The verb comes after 알아서 and to emphasize that it is “us” who will do it, we say 내가 or 제가. The actual sentence is 내가 알아서 시킬게 or 제가 알아서 시킬게요.

이걸 알아서 버려 줘.

Please throw this for me. (and it’s up to you where and how you dump it)

알어서 밥 만들어 줘.

Please make something (food). (I bought some groceries and it’s up to you what to do with them).

내가 알아서 고를게.

I will pick one for you. (if you can’t decide what to choose, let me do it)