~으려고

The Korean grammar pattern ~으려고 is a versatile and essential connective ending used to express a speaker's intention, plan, or purpose for performing a specific action. In English, it is most commonly translated as 'in order to,' 'so as to,' or 'with the intention of.' This pattern is a cornerstone of intermediate Korean communication because it allows speakers to provide context and motivation for their behaviors, moving beyond simple statements of fact into the realm of personal agency and planning. When you use ~으려고, you are effectively telling your listener what was going on in your mind before or during the action described in the main clause of the sentence. It bridges the gap between a thought or a desire and the physical manifestation of that desire through an action.

Core Function

To indicate the purpose or objective of the action that follows in the second clause.

Subjectivity

It primarily reflects the speaker's internal will or plan, making it highly subjective and personal.

People use this pattern in a vast array of social situations. For instance, if you are seen at a library, someone might ask why you are there. You would respond using ~으려고 to explain your goal: 'I came here to study.' It is also frequently used when making excuses or providing justifications. If you are late to a meeting because you stopped to buy coffee for everyone, you would use this pattern to explain that your intention was benevolent. It is important to note that this pattern is specifically for actions that the subject has control over. You wouldn't typically use it for natural phenomena or things outside of human will, as it implies a conscious decision-making process.

Furthermore, ~으려고 is often found in the form ~으려고 하다, which translates to 'to plan to' or 'to intend to.' This variation is used when the speaker is stating a future intention without necessarily linking it to a specific current action. For example, '내년에 한국에 가려고 해요' (I am planning to go to Korea next year). This demonstrates the flexibility of the root meaning of intention. Whether it's a quick action like opening a window to let in fresh air or a long-term goal like saving money to buy a house, ~으려고 provides the linguistic structure to articulate the 'why' behind the 'what.'

In social dynamics, using ~으려고 can also show politeness or consideration. By explaining your intentions, you are being transparent with your interlocutor, which is a valued trait in Korean culture. Instead of just saying 'I am leaving,' saying 'I am leaving to catch the last bus' provides a reason that makes the departure seem less abrupt or rude. It provides a narrative thread to your actions, making them more understandable and relatable to those around you.

Common Contexts

Shopping (to buy), travel (to see), education (to learn), and health (to improve).

As you progress in your Korean studies, you will notice that ~으려고 is one of several ways to express purpose. However, its specific nuance of personal intention makes it unique. It doesn't carry the formal weight of ~기 위하여, nor is it restricted to verbs of motion like ~(으)러. It is the 'workhorse' of purposeful expression in everyday spoken and written Korean, bridging the gap between casual conversation and more structured explanations. Mastering it is a significant step toward achieving fluency and sounding more natural in your Korean interactions.

Using ~으려고 correctly requires understanding both its morphological conjugation and its syntactical limitations. The pattern is attached to the stem of a verb. The choice between ~으려고 and ~려고 depends entirely on whether the verb stem ends in a consonant (batchim) or a vowel. This is a common rule in Korean grammar designed to maintain a smooth flow of speech. If the verb stem ends in a consonant, you add ~으려고. For example, the verb '먹다' (to eat) becomes '먹으려고.' If the verb stem ends in a vowel or the consonant 'ㄹ', you add ~려고. For example, '가다' (to go) becomes '가려고,' and '살다' (to live) becomes '살려고.'

Conjugation Rule 1

Verb stem ending in a consonant + 으려고 (e.g., 읽으려고, 찾으려고).

Conjugation Rule 2

Verb stem ending in a vowel or 'ㄹ' + 려고 (e.g., 보려고, 만들려고).

One of the most critical rules to remember when using ~으려고 is that the first clause (the intention clause) cannot be in the past tense. Even if the entire action happened in the past, the tense is only expressed in the final verb of the sentence. For example, if you want to say 'I went to the store to buy bread,' you would say '빵을 사려고 가게에 갔어요.' Notice that '사려고' remains in its base form, while '갔어요' carries the past tense. This is because the intention exists at the moment the action is initiated, regardless of when that initiation occurred in time.

Another significant restriction involves the type of sentence the second clause can be. You cannot use ~으려고 with imperative sentences (commands) or propositive sentences (suggestions). This means you cannot say 'In order to study, go to the library' or 'In order to eat, let's go to the restaurant' using ~으려고. For these types of sentences, you must use other grammar patterns like ~(으)려면 or ~기 위해서. This is because ~으려고 focuses on the speaker's own internal intention or the subject's intention, which doesn't naturally pair with commanding or suggesting actions to others.

Syntactically, the clause ending in ~으려고 always comes first. It sets the stage for the action that follows. The subject of both clauses must be the same. You cannot say 'I did X so that he would do Y' using this pattern. It must be 'I did X so that I could do Y.' This reinforces the idea that ~으려고 is about the subject's own purposeful behavior. If the subjects are different, you would need to use patterns like ~게 or ~도록.

Irregular Verbs

Be careful with 'ㄷ' irregulars like '듣다' (to listen) which becomes '들으려고,' and 'ㅂ' irregulars like '돕다' (to help) which becomes '도우려고.'

Finally, in casual speech, the '고' at the end is sometimes dropped, leaving just ~으려 or ~려. This is very informal and usually happens when the speaker is in a hurry or speaking very naturally with close friends. However, for learners, it is best to stick with the full ~으려고 form to ensure clarity and correctness across all social contexts. Understanding these structural nuances ensures that your use of the pattern is not only grammatically accurate but also contextually appropriate, allowing you to express complex motivations with ease.

The pattern ~으려고 is ubiquitous in daily Korean life, appearing in everything from casual street conversations to scripted television dramas and even advertisements. It is perhaps one of the most 'human' grammar points because it deals so directly with motivations and plans. In a typical Korean household, you might hear a mother say to her child, '공부하려고 책상에 앉았니?' (Did you sit at your desk to study?). In this context, it's used to confirm the intention behind a visible action. It’s also very common in the workplace when colleagues explain why they are performing certain tasks, such as '보고서를 제출하려고 준비하고 있습니다' (I am preparing in order to submit the report).

Drama & Media

Characters often use it to reveal their secret plans or feelings to the audience in a monologue or to a confidant.

Shopping & Services

Used when explaining what you are looking for: '선물을 사려고 하는데요' (I'm planning to buy a gift...).

One of the most frequent places you will encounter this is in the form of ~으려고요 as a response to a 'why' question. If someone asks '왜 그렇게 열심히 해요?' (Why are you working so hard?), you might simply answer '성공하려고요' (In order to succeed). Adding the polite ending ~요 to ~으려고 allows it to stand alone as a complete sentence in spoken Korean. This is a very natural way to speak and is much more common than repeating the entire sentence structure. It feels spontaneous and direct, which is often the goal in conversational settings.

In K-pop lyrics, ~으려고 is often used to express the longing or effort one puts into a relationship. Phrases like '너를 잊으려고 노력했어' (I tried in order to forget you) or '너에게 가려고 달려가' (I run in order to go to you) are common. The pattern adds a layer of emotional weight, showing that the singer's actions are driven by a strong internal desire. This emotional resonance is why it's so prevalent in ballads and romantic songs. It transforms a simple action into a meaningful journey toward a goal.

You will also see this in instructional settings, like YouTube tutorials or cooking shows. A chef might say, '고기를 부드럽게 만들려고 설탕을 조금 넣습니다' (I am putting in a little sugar in order to make the meat tender). Here, it serves a functional purpose, explaining the logic behind a specific step in a process. It helps the viewer understand the 'secret' or the 'reason' why things are done a certain way. In these contexts, ~으려고 acts as a pedagogical tool, guiding the learner through the speaker's logic.

Public Announcements

Sometimes used in signs or announcements to explain the purpose of a rule: '환경을 보호하려고 일회용품 사용을 금지합니다' (To protect the environment, the use of disposables is prohibited).

Finally, when you are traveling in Korea, you will use this constantly. Whether you're at the subway station trying to find the right exit 'to go to Myeongdong' (명동에 가려고...) or at a restaurant asking for a menu 'to see the prices' (가격을 보려고...), this pattern is your primary tool for navigating the world through your intentions. It is a bridge between you and the Korean people, allowing you to explain not just what you are doing, but why you are doing it, which is the key to deeper communication and connection.

One of the most frequent pitfalls for English speakers learning ~으려고 is confusing it with the movement-based purpose marker ~(으)러. While both can be translated as 'to' or 'in order to,' they are not interchangeable. ~(으)러 can only be used with verbs of motion like 가다 (to go), 오다 (to come), or 다니다 (to attend/commute). For example, you can say '밥 먹으러 가요' (I'm going to eat), but you cannot say '밥 먹으러 요리해요' (I'm cooking to eat). For the latter, you must use ~으려고: '밥 먹으려고 요리해요.' Using ~(으)러 with a non-motion verb is a hallmark of a beginner mistake.

Mistake 1: Wrong Purpose Marker

Using ~(으)러 with non-motion verbs. Correct: 책을 읽으려고 샀어요. Incorrect: 책을 읽으러 샀어요.

Mistake 2: Tense Over-conjugation

Adding past tense to the first clause. Correct: 잤으려고 (X) -> 자려고 (O).

Another common error is trying to use ~으려고 in sentences that end with a command or a suggestion. This is a subtle but important grammatical constraint. In Korean, ~으려고 is considered a 'volitional' ending that focuses on the subject's intent, which clashes with the mood of an imperative or propositive sentence. If you want to say 'Study hard to pass the exam,' you cannot use ~으려고. Instead, you would use ~기 위해서 or ~(으)려면. For example, '시험에 합격하려면 열심히 공부하세요' is correct, whereas '시험에 합격하려고 열심히 공부하세요' sounds very awkward and grammatically incorrect to a native speaker.

Many students also forget the 'ㄹ' irregular rule. When a verb stem ends in 'ㄹ', such as 만들다 (to make) or 팔다 (to sell), you do not add the extra '으.' It should be 만들려고, not 만들으려고. This is a common phonetic error because the '으' sound often feels like a natural buffer, but in this specific case, it is omitted. Similarly, for 'ㄷ' irregulars like 듣다 (to listen), the 'ㄷ' changes to 'ㄹ' before adding '으려고,' resulting in 들으려고. Forgetting these irregular conjugations can make your Korean sound disjointed.

A more advanced mistake involves the 'subject-identity' rule. Both the intention (the first clause) and the action (the second clause) must be performed by the same person. You cannot say 'I am saving money so my sister can buy a car' using ~으려고. In English, 'so that' allows for different subjects, but ~으려고 is strictly for the same subject. If the subjects are different, you must use ~게 or ~도록. For example, '동생이 차를 살 수 있게 돈을 모아요' (I am saving money so that my sister can buy a car). This is a conceptual hurdle for many English speakers who are used to the flexibility of 'so that.'

Mistake 3: Different Subjects

Attempting to use ~으려고 when the subject of the first and second clause are different.

Lastly, avoid using ~으려고 with adjectives. Since it expresses an 'intention' or 'plan,' it inherently requires a verb that the subject can consciously perform. You cannot 'intend' to be tall or 'plan' to be cold in the way ~으려고 requires. If you want to say 'I am exercising to be healthy,' you would use the verb 'to become healthy' (건강해지다) rather than the adjective 'healthy' (건강하다). So, '건강해지려고 운동해요' is the correct way to express this. Being mindful of these nuances will help you use ~으려고 like a pro.

Korean has several ways to express purpose, and choosing the right one depends on formality, the type of verb used, and the desired nuance. The most common alternative to ~으려고 is ~기 위해서 (or ~기 위해). While ~으려고 is more common in daily speech and feels personal, ~기 위해서 is more formal and is often used in writing, speeches, or when describing a grand purpose. It can also be used with nouns (e.g., 성공을 위해 - for success). Unlike ~으려고, ~기 위해서 can be used in imperative and propositive sentences, making it more grammatically flexible in certain contexts.

~기 위해서

Formal and written. Used for grand goals or when the second clause is a command/suggestion. Example: 나라를 지키기 위해 군대에 갔어요.

~(으)러

Specifically for motion verbs (go, come). Much more restricted than ~으려고. Example: 영화 보러 가요.

Another similar pattern is ~(으)려면, which is a combination of ~으려고 and ~면 (if). It translates to 'if you intend to' or 'if you want to.' This is the go-to pattern when you want to give advice or a condition. For example, '한국말을 잘하려면 매일 연습하세요' (If you want to speak Korean well, practice every day). While ~으려고 states what you *are* doing for a purpose, ~(으)려면 sets the purpose as a condition for another action. This distinction is vital for giving directions or instructions effectively.

For more formal or literary contexts, you might encounter ~고자. This is very similar to ~으려고 but is almost exclusively found in official speeches, documents, or high-level academic writing. It sounds quite stiff in casual conversation. For example, '회의를 시작하고자 합니다' (I intend to start the meeting). Using ~고자 instead of ~으려고 in a casual setting would make you sound like a historical drama character or a very formal broadcaster.

Finally, there is ~게 and ~도록. These are often translated as 'so that' and are used when the speaker wants to achieve a certain state or result, often involving a different subject or a natural outcome. While ~으려고 focuses on the subject's active intention, ~게 and ~도록 focus more on the result or the effect of the action. For instance, '아이들이 잘 수 있게 조용히 하세요' (Please be quiet so that the children can sleep). Here, the focus is on the children's state of sleeping, not just the speaker's intention.

Comparison Table

~으려고: Personal, spoken, same subject.
~기 위해: Formal, written, noun-friendly.
~게/도록: Result-focused, different subjects allowed.

Understanding these alternatives allows you to fine-tune your Korean to the specific situation. Whether you are writing a formal essay, chatting with a friend, or giving advice, choosing the right 'purpose' marker will make your communication clearer and more sophisticated. Practice switching between these patterns to see how they change the 'feel' of your sentences.