Learn Hardcore Korean: wonrae oneureun jibeseo swigiro haesseo. - Originally, I planned to rest at home today.

verb stem (쉬-) + -기 (nominalizer) + -로 (as/for) + 하다 (do) → 쉬기로 하다. In past tense (했어), it means the decision was made earlier: a plan was in place.

Why is it past tense (했어) if the plan is about today?

The past tense marks the time of deciding, not the time of doing. It says, “earlier, a decision was made (regarding today).” If you say 쉬기로 해, you’re deciding now or stating a current decision.

How is -기로 하다 different from -(으)려고 하다 and -(으)ㄹ 거야/-(으)ㄹ 예정이다?

-기로 하다: a firm decision/arrangement (often with someone else). Past form = an established plan.
-(으)려고 하다: intention or attempt. Past (-려고 했어) often implies “I intended to, but...” or serves as a lead-in/explanation.
-(으)ㄹ 거야: a prediction or personal plan; more casual.
-(으)ㄹ 예정이다: “be scheduled/plan to,” formal/written.

Why is it 오늘은 and not just 오늘?

은/는 marks the topic and often adds a contrastive nuance: “as for today (as opposed to other days)”. Without it (오늘 집에서…), it’s still correct but less contrastive. Also, 오늘 ends with a consonant, so the topic particle appears as -은 → 오늘은.

What nuance does 원래 add? Does it always imply something changed?

원래 means “originally/by default/usually.” Here, it most likely means “originally,” which often implies a contrast (“but something else happened”). It can also mean “normally/usually” in general statements. You can also topicalize it: 원래는 오늘…. Having both 원래는 and 오늘은 is possible but stylistically heavy; most speakers topicalize just one.

Can I move 원래 or 오늘은 around?

Yes. Common, natural options include:

원래 오늘은 집에서 쉬기로 했어. (given)
오늘은 원래 집에서 쉬기로 했어.
원래는 오늘 집에서 쉬기로 했어. Korean word order is flexible; sentence adverbs (like 원래) and time expressions (like 오늘) typically appear early.

Why 집에서 and not 집에?

-에서 marks the place where an action occurs. Resting is an activity done at home → 집에서. -에 marks static location/existence or destination:

집에 있어 = “I’m at home.”
집에 가 = “Go home.”

Who is the subject here—“I” or “we”? How do I say it explicitly?

Korean often omits the subject; context supplies it. Here it’s likely “I” or “we.” To be explicit:

나는 원래 오늘은 집에서 쉬기로 했어.
우리는 원래 오늘 집에서 쉬기로 했어.

How do I make this polite or formal? What about honorifics?

Casual: …했어.
Polite: …했어요.
Formal: …했습니다. If the subject needs honorifics: 아버지는 집에서 쉬시기로 했어요.

How do I show that the plan changed?

Add a contrasting tail or connector:

원래 오늘은 집에서 쉬기로 했는데, 회사에 가게 됐어.
원래 오늘은 집에서 쉬기로 했었어, 근데 못 쉬었어. Using -했었어 emphasizes the decision existed in the (more distant) past and often suggests it didn’t hold.

What’s the difference between 쉬기로 했어 and 쉬려고 했어?

쉬기로 했어: a decision/arrangement was made.
쉬려고 했어: I intended/was going to rest (often implying it didn’t happen or functioning as background for a contrast: …했어(는데)).

Any pronunciation tips for this sentence?

원래 ≈ [월래]
오늘은 ≈ [오느른]
집에서 ≈ [지베서]
했어 ≈ [해써]
쉬 is like “shwi.” These are natural assimilation effects in casual speech.

Do I need a comma after 원래?

No. 원래 오늘은… is normally written without a comma. A comma can be added for rhetorical pause in writing, but it isn’t required.

Are there alternative ways to express the same idea?

원래 오늘은 집에서 쉬려고 했어. (focus on intention)
원래 오늘은 집에서 쉬는 날이었어. (it was my day off)
원래 오늘은 집에서 쉬기로 돼 있었어. (it had been arranged/scheduled)