~으려고/려고

The Korean grammatical structure ~으려고/려고 is a foundational connective ending used to express a speaker's intention, purpose, or plan for performing a specific action. In English, it is most frequently translated as 'in order to,' 'so as to,' or 'with the intention of.' This structure is essential for explaining the 'why' behind your actions in daily life, ranging from simple tasks like going to the store to buy milk to long-term goals like studying Korean to work in Seoul. It connects two clauses: the first clause describes the purpose or intention, and the second clause describes the action taken to fulfill that purpose.

Core Function

It functions as a purposive connective, linking a desired outcome with a physical or mental effort. Unlike simple cause-and-effect, it highlights the internal motivation of the subject.

Subjectivity

This form is deeply rooted in the speaker's (or the subject's) will. It is not used for natural phenomena or unintended consequences; it requires a conscious agent making a choice.

When you use ~으려고/려고, you are providing a window into your thought process. For example, if you say 'I am saving money to buy a car,' the 'buying a car' part is your intention, and 'saving money' is the action. In Korean, this becomes '차를 사려고 돈을 모아요.' It is one of the most common ways to justify behavior in social contexts, making it indispensable for intermediate learners who want to move beyond simple sentences and start describing complex motivations.

The usage of this phrase is ubiquitous in both spoken and written Korean. In spoken Korean, it often appears at the end of a sentence in the form ~으려고요 when answering a 'Why?' question. For instance, if someone asks why you are packing a suitcase, you might simply reply, '여행 가려고요' (Because I intend to go on a trip). This flexibility makes it a versatile tool for conversational fluency. Furthermore, it sets the stage for more advanced purposive structures like ~기 위하여 or ~고자, which carry different levels of formality and nuance.

In terms of social dynamics, using ~으려고/려고 shows a level of transparency. By explaining your intentions, you are being cooperative in conversation. It is less formal than ~기 위해, which is often found in speeches or news reports, and more versatile than ~으러, which is strictly limited to verbs of motion like 'go' or 'come.' Therefore, ~으려고/려고 is the 'workhorse' of purpose-driven language in Korean, suitable for almost any everyday situation where you need to explain your plans or reasons.

Common Contexts

Shopping (to buy), Education (to learn), Travel (to see), Health (to improve), and Socializing (to meet).

Finally, it is important to note that this structure implies a future-oriented goal. Even if the main action happened in the past, the intention was looking forward from that point in time. For example, 'I went to the library to study' (공부하려고 도서관에 갔어요) shows that at the moment you went to the library, your future goal was studying. This temporal relationship is key to mastering the logic of Korean verb endings.

Mastering the conjugation of ~으려고/려고 is relatively straightforward but requires attention to the final consonant (batchim) of the verb stem. The rule is split into two primary categories, with a few important irregular exceptions that every learner must memorize to speak naturally.

Rule 1: Verb Stems Ending in a Vowel

If the verb stem ends in a vowel, simply add -려고. For example: 가다 (to go) becomes 가려고; 사다 (to buy) becomes 사려고; 보다 (to see) becomes 보려고.

Rule 2: Verb Stems Ending in a Consonant

If the verb stem ends in a consonant (batchim), add -으려고. For example: 먹다 (to eat) becomes 먹으려고; 읽다 (to read) becomes 읽으려고; 입다 (to wear) becomes 입으려고.

However, the Korean language is famous for its irregular verbs, and ~으려고/려고 is no exception. There are three main irregular patterns to watch out for:

• ㄹ Irregular: If the stem ends in 'ㄹ', treat it like a vowel and just add -려고. For example, 만들다 (to make) becomes 만들려고, not 만들으려고.
• ㄷ Irregular: If the stem ends in 'ㄷ' and it is irregular, the 'ㄷ' changes to 'ㄹ' before adding -으려고. For example, 듣다 (to listen) becomes 들으려고.
• ㅂ Irregular: If the stem ends in 'ㅂ' and it is irregular, the 'ㅂ' changes to '우' before adding -려고. For example, 돕다 (to help) becomes 도우려고.

Beyond conjugation, there are strict syntactic rules regarding the surrounding sentence structure. One of the most critical rules is that the subject of the first clause (the intention) and the second clause (the action) must be the same. You cannot say 'I did X so that he would do Y' using this structure. For that, you would need ~게 or ~도록. For example, '내가 먹으려고 샀어' (I bought it so I could eat it) is correct, but '동생이 먹으려고 샀어' (I bought it so my brother could eat it) is grammatically incorrect in this context.

Another vital restriction involves the ending of the sentence. You cannot use imperative (command) or propositive (suggestion) endings with ~으려고/려고. This means you cannot say '가려고 하세요' (Please go in order to go) or '먹으려고 합시다' (Let's eat in order to eat). If you need to make a suggestion or command based on a purpose, you must use ~으러 or ~기 위해. This is a very common mistake for learners, so pay close attention to the final verb of your sentence.

Lastly, when using this in the middle of a sentence, the second clause usually contains an action verb that supports the intention. Common verbs include 가다 (go), 오다 (come), 사다 (buy), 전화하다 (call), and 공부하다 (study). If you want to end the sentence with the intention itself, you can use the form ~으려고 하다, which means 'to plan to' or 'to be about to.' This is a separate but closely related grammar point that expresses a future intention without necessarily stating the supporting action.

In the real world, ~으려고/려고 is a staple of natural conversation. You will hear it in coffee shops, offices, universities, and homes across Korea. Its primary role is to provide context for actions that might otherwise seem unexplained. Because Korean culture often emphasizes the 'why' behind social interactions, being able to articulate your intentions clearly is a key part of social etiquette and clarity.

In the Workplace

Employees use it to explain their tasks. '보고서를 제출하려고 일찍 왔습니다' (I came early to submit the report). It shows initiative and clear planning.

In Casual Socializing

Friends use it to coordinate plans. '너 주려고 선물 샀어' (I bought a gift to give to you). It adds a layer of thoughtfulness to the action.

One of the most frequent places you will encounter this is in response to the question '왜?' (Why?). While '때문에' (because) explains a cause, ~으려고/려고 explains a goal. If a mother asks her child why they are washing their hands, the child might say '밥 먹으려고요' (In order to eat). Here, the child isn't just giving a reason; they are stating their next intended step. This 'forward-looking' aspect is what makes the phrase so common in daily planning.

You will also hear this structure in media, particularly in K-Dramas and variety shows. Characters often use it to explain their secret motivations or 'schemes' (in a lighthearted way). For example, a character might say, '깜짝 놀라게 해 주려고 비밀로 했어' (I kept it a secret to surprise you). In this context, the grammar helps build narrative tension or emotional payoff by revealing the character's hidden intention.

In shopping environments, you'll hear it constantly. Customers explain what they are looking for: '선물하려고 하는데 추천해 주세요' (I intend to give this as a gift, so please recommend something). Here, the ~으려고 하는데 construction (intention + background information) is a very polite and natural way to start a conversation with a clerk. It provides the clerk with the necessary context to help the customer effectively.

Finally, in the digital world—texting on KakaoTalk or posting on social media—this grammar is often shortened to ~으려구/려구 in very casual, cute (aegyo) speech. While you shouldn't use this in formal writing, you will see it frequently in texts between close friends. For example, '맛있는 거 먹으려구!' (To eat something delicious!). Understanding these variations helps you navigate the spectrum of Korean social registers.

While ~으려고/려고 is a versatile tool, it is also a minefield of common errors for English speakers. Because the English 'to' or 'in order to' is so flexible, learners often try to apply that same flexibility to Korean, leading to ungrammatical sentences. Understanding these constraints is vital for moving from 'broken' Korean to natural fluency.

Mistake 1: Using Past Tense in the First Clause

Learners often try to say 'I went to the store because I wanted to buy...' by putting the first verb in the past tense. Wrong: '샀으려고 갔어요.' Right: '사려고 갔어요.' The intention itself is timeless; only the final verb of the sentence carries the tense.

Mistake 2: Using Imperative or Propositive Endings

This is perhaps the most common error. You cannot end a sentence with '-(으)세요' or '-자' if you used '~으려고' earlier. Wrong: '살을 빼려고 운동하세요.' Right: '살을 빼려면 운동하세요' or '살을 빼기 위해 운동하세요.'

Another frequent pitfall involves the 'Subject Identity' rule. In English, we can say 'I bought this so you could eat it.' In Korean, you cannot use ~으려고 for this. The person intending to eat must be the same person who bought it. If the subjects are different, you must use ~게 or ~도록. For example, '네가 먹게 샀어' (I bought it so you can eat it). Using ~으려고 here would imply that *you* (the speaker) intend to eat it, which changes the meaning entirely.

Learners also confuse ~으려고 with ~으러. While both express purpose, ~으러 is strictly used with verbs of movement (가다, 오다, 다니다). If you are going somewhere to do something, ~으러 is often more natural. However, ~으려고 is much broader. You can use ~으려고 with 'calling,' 'buying,' 'studying,' etc. A good rule of thumb: if the second verb isn't 'go' or 'come,' use ~으려고. If it is 'go' or 'come,' both work, but ~으러 is more specific to the destination.

Lastly, be careful with the spelling of ㄹ-irregular verbs. Many students write '만들으려고' because they see the consonant 'ㄹ'. However, in Korean grammar, 'ㄹ' often behaves like a vowel in these specific patterns. The correct form is '만들려고.' Similarly, for '듣다,' don't forget the 'ㄷ' to 'ㄹ' change: '들으려고.' These small spelling errors can make your writing look unpolished, even if your logic is correct.

By keeping these four rules in mind—same subject, no past tense in the first clause, no imperative endings, and correct irregular conjugation—you will avoid 90% of the mistakes that beginner and intermediate learners make with this grammar point.

Korean has several ways to express purpose and intention, and choosing the right one depends on the context, the formality, and the specific verbs being used. Understanding the differences between ~으려고/려고 and its alternatives is a hallmark of an advanced learner.

~으러 vs. ~으려고

~으러 is specifically for 'going' or 'coming' to do something. It is more restrictive. ~으려고 is more general and can be used with any action verb in the second clause. Example: '밥 먹으러 가요' (I'm going to eat) vs. '밥 먹으려고 요리해요' (I'm cooking to eat).

~기 위해(서) vs. ~으려고

~기 위해(서) is more formal and often used in writing, speeches, or when expressing a grand purpose. ~으려고 is more common in daily conversation. Also, ~기 위해(서) allows for different subjects in some contexts, whereas ~으려고 strictly requires the same subject.

Another alternative is ~고자. This is very formal and is typically seen in official documents, business emails, or formal presentations. For example, '알려드리고자 합니다' (I intend to inform you). You would almost never use this with friends. If ~으려고 is a t-shirt, ~기 위해 is a business suit, and ~고자 is a tuxedo.

There is also ~으려면, which means 'if you intend to.' This is often confused with ~으려고, but it functions as a conditional. While ~으려고 explains why you did something, ~으려면 sets a condition for a future result. For example, '한국어를 잘 하려면 매일 연습하세요' (If you intend to speak Korean well, practice every day). Note that ~으려면 can be followed by imperative endings, which makes it the perfect substitute when you want to give advice based on an intention.

Finally, consider ~도록. This is often used when the speaker wants to achieve a certain state or ensure a result, often involving another person. '아이들이 자도록 조용히 했어요' (I stayed quiet so the children could sleep). Unlike ~으려고, ~도록 focuses more on the result or the 'extent' of the action rather than just the speaker's internal plan. It is also the go-to choice when the subjects of the two clauses are different.

Summary Table

Grammar	Register	Best For...
~으려고	Neutral	Daily intentions
~으러	Neutral	Movement (go/come)
~기 위해	Formal	Official goals
~고자	V. Formal	Speeches/Writing

By learning these distinctions, you can tailor your Korean to the specific situation. Use ~으려고 with your friends when explaining why you're late or why you bought a certain snack, and switch to ~기 위해 when writing an essay or giving a presentation. This versatility is what makes a speaker sound truly proficient.