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:
- 을 거라고 — 'so you're/it's going to... right?'
- 생각조차 — 'didn't even/so much as think'
- 못 했다 — to 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
When I first moved to Korea, I couldn't have imagined that I would live there for four years.
I hadn't even considered that you would have to pay to exit and re-enter Saudi Arabia when you go on holiday.
When I first wrote this blog I didn't even consider that other Korean learners would read it.
I hadn't even considered that I was going to meet my wife while I was in Korea.
I hadn't even considered that there would be so many differences between life in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
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.