Decided to / Planned to (-기로 하다)
기로 하다 when a plan is fixed, a promise is made, or a resolution is set.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use -기로 하다 to express a decision or a plan you have made, often after some thought.
- Attach -기로 하다 directly to the verb stem: 먹다 -> 먹기로 하다.
- Use it for personal decisions or mutual agreements: 내일부터 운동하기로 했어요.
- For negative plans, use -지 않기로 하다: 술을 마시지 않기로 했어요.
Overview
The Korean grammatical pattern -기로 하다 (기로 하다) translates fundamentally to “decided to,” “planned to,” or “agreed to.” Unlike a mere intention or a vague thought, -기로 하다 signifies a firm commitment or a definitive resolution, whether made personally or in agreement with others. It transforms an action from a possibility into a resolved course, indicating that a choice has been made and a path has been set. This pattern is indispensable for expressing future plans and commitments in daily Korean communication, reflecting a pivotal moment of decision.
At the B1 CEFR level, mastering -기로 하다 allows you to articulate clear plans, convey resolutions, and participate effectively in discussions about shared arrangements. It moves beyond simple future tense expressions to convey the preceding act of deciding, adding a layer of certainty and reliability to your statements. Culturally, expressing a clear decision or agreement is valued, as it sets expectations and demonstrates commitment, a key aspect of effective interpersonal communication in Korea.
Consider the difference between simply saying 주말에 영화 볼 거예요. (I will watch a movie on the weekend.) and 주말에 영화를 보기로 했어요. (I decided to watch a movie on the weekend.). The latter implies a definitive choice, perhaps tickets are bought or friends have agreed, making the plan concrete rather than just a prediction.
How This Grammar Works
-기로 하다 structurally, consider its components: a verb stem followed by the nominalizer -기, the particle -로, and finally the verb 하다. Each element plays a crucial role in conveying the pattern’s meaning of a committed decision.-기 (gi) attaches directly to a verb stem, transforming the action into an abstract noun. For instance, 가다 (gada, to go) becomes 가기 (gagi, the act of going). This grammatical function allows the action of the verb to be treated as a concept or an object, which can then be acted upon or directed towards.-로 (ro) is added. This particle typically indicates direction, means, or choice. In the context of -기로 하다, -로 signifies “towards” or “as a chosen path/option.” When combined with the nominalized verb, Verb Stem + -기로 literally means “towards the act of [verb].” This component highlights the idea that among various possibilities, one specific course of action has been selected.하다 (hada, to do) concludes the pattern. Thus, the full structure Verb Stem + -기로 하다 can be understood as “to do towards the act of [verb].” This implies that you are performing the act of committing to or choosing that particular action. The verb 하다 is the active agent that solidifies the decision.-기로 하다 is most frequently used in the past tense, as the act of making the decision has already happened, even if the action itself is slated for the future. For example, 내일 일찍 일어나기로 했어요. (Naeil iljjik ireonagiro haesseoyo, I decided to wake up early tomorrow.) — the decision to wake up early was made in the past, though the waking itself is in the future.매일 운동하기로 했어요. (Maeil undonghagiro haesseoyo, I decided to exercise every day.). Here, 운동하다 (undonghada, to exercise) becomes 운동하기 (undonghagi, the act of exercising), and the speaker is “doing towards the act of exercising,” thereby committing to it. This pattern conveys a level of conviction and finality that simpler future tense forms might lack, making it a powerful tool for expressing determined intentions and agreements.Formation Pattern
-기로 하다 is notably straightforward, offering a welcome simplicity compared to some other Korean conjugations. It attaches directly to the verb stem (the part of the verb remaining after removing the dictionary form ending -다), regardless of whether the stem ends in a vowel or a consonant. This pattern also famously ignores common irregular verb rules, such as the ㄹ (rieul) irregular, which can often simplify the process for learners.
-다 from the dictionary form of the verb.
가다 (to go) → 가-
먹다 (to eat) → 먹-
만들다 (to make) → 만들- (The ㄹ remains)
살다 (to live) → 살- (The ㄹ remains)
-기로 하다: Simply add -기로 하다 to the verb stem.
가- + -기로 하다 → 가기로 하다
먹- + -기로 하다 → 먹기로 하다
만들- + -기로 하다 → 만들기로 하다
살- + -기로 하다 → 살기로 하다
하다 component is then conjugated according to the desired tense, politeness level, and speech style. Since the act of making a decision typically occurs in the past, the past tense (-기로 했다 / -기로 했어요 / -기로 했습니다) is by far the most common conjugation. However, other tenses are used to convey specific nuances.
가다) | Romanization | Meaning |
-기로 했어 | 가기로 했어 | gagiro haesseo | (I/we) decided to go (casual) |
-기로 했어요 | 가기로 했어요 | gagiro haesseoyo | (I/we) decided to go (polite) |
-기로 했습니다 | 가기로 했습니다 | gagiro haetseumnida | (I/we) decided to go (formal) |
-기로 해요 (Suggestion/Rule/Ongoing Decision) | 가기로 해요 | gagiro haeyo | Let's decide to go / We decide to go |
-기로 할 거예요 (Predicting a future decision/commitment) | 가기로 할 거예요 | gagiro hal geoyeyo | (I/we) will decide to go |
Verb Stem + -(으)시기로 하다 | 가시기로 했습니다 | gasigiro haetseumnida | (Respected person) decided to go |
저는 앞으로 매일 한국어 공부를 하기로 했어요. (Jeoneun apeuro maeil hangugeo gongbureul hagiro haesseoyo. I decided to study Korean every day from now on.) — Here, 하다 (to do) becomes 하기로 했어요 in the past polite form.
우리 다음 달에 제주도로 여행 가기로 해요. (Uri daeum dare jejudo-ro yeohaeng gagiro haeyo. Let's decide to go on a trip to Jeju Island next month.) — Using the present tense -기로 해요 for a suggestion or mutual agreement.
교수님께서는 발표 주제를 바꾸시기로 하셨습니다. (Gyosunimkkeseoneun balpyo jujereul bakkusigiro hasyeotseumnida. The professor decided to change the presentation topic.) — The honorific -으시- is added to 바꾸다 (to change) to form 바꾸시기로 하셨습니다.
하다 is the verb that carries the tense and politeness marking, as it is the verb expressing the act of deciding. The preceding verb + -기 acts as the object of that decision.
When To Use It
-기로 하다 is versatile and can be applied in various contexts where a firm decision or agreement is being communicated. Its usage extends beyond simple future plans, emphasizing commitment and resolution. Understanding these specific scenarios will help you use the pattern accurately and naturally.- 1Expressing Personal Decisions and Resolutions: This is one of the most common applications. When you make a personal commitment or resolve to do something, especially for your future self,
-기로 하다is the appropriate choice. It conveys a stronger sense of determination than simply stating a future action.
새해에는 꼭 금연하기로 했어요.(Saehaeeneun kkok geumyeonhagiro haesseoyo. I decided to definitely quit smoking for the New Year.) – A personal resolution.이번 주말에는 집에서 쉬기로 했어.(Ibeon jumareneun jibeseo swigiro haesseo. I decided to rest at home this weekend.) – A personal plan that’s now fixed.저는 채식주의자가 되기로 결심했습니다.(Jeoneun chaesikjuuija-ga doegiro gyeolsimhaetseumnida. I resolved to become a vegetarian.) – A strong personal commitment, often combined with결심하다(to resolve).
- 1Communicating Mutual Agreements or Group Decisions: This is perhaps the most frequent and crucial use of
-기로 하다. When two or more people, a family, a team, or a company agree on a course of action, this pattern clearly states the collective decision. It implies consensus and a shared commitment.
우리 저녁 7시에 역 앞에서 만나기로 했어요.(Uri jeonyeok ilgop-sie yeok apeseo mannagiro haesseoyo. We decided to meet in front of the station at 7 PM.) – A mutual agreement between friends.회사에서 다음 달에 새로운 프로젝트를 시작하기로 결정했어요.(Hoesaseo daeum dare saeroun peurojekteureul sijakhagiro gyeoljeonghaesseoyo. The company decided to start a new project next month.) – A group decision, often used with결정하다(to decide).가족들이 이번 휴가에 강원도로 가기로 이야기했어요.(Gajokdeuri ibeon hyugae gangwondo-ro gagiro iyagihaesseoyo. The family talked and decided to go to Gangwon Province for this vacation.) – Indicating a discussion leading to an agreement.
- 1Establishing Rules, Principles, or Promises: When laying down a rule to be followed, a principle to adhere to, or making a promise, especially in the present tense (
-기로 해요), the pattern conveys a sense of obligation or a shared understanding of how things should be.
도서관에서는 조용히 하기로 해요.(Doseogwaneseoneun joyonghi hagiro haeyo. Let’s (agree to) be quiet in the library.) – A rule or mutual agreement about conduct.앞으로는 거짓말을 하지 않기로 약속했어요.(Apeuro-neun geojitmal-eul haji ankiro yaksokhaesseoyo. I promised not to lie anymore from now on.) – Making a promise, often explicitly with약속하다(to promise).다음에 또 만나면 제가 밥 사기로 할게요.(Daeume tto mannamyeon jega bap sagiro halgeyo. Next time we meet again, I’ll decide to buy you a meal.) – A polite promise or offer.
- 1Making Recommendations or Suggestions (Present Tense
~기로 해요): When used in the present tense, particularly in the polite informal form (-기로 해요), it can function as a gentle recommendation or a suggestion for a shared course of action, often implying “let’s agree to…” or “how about we decide to…”
오늘은 일찍 퇴근하기로 해요.(Oneureun iljjik toegunhagiro haeyo. Let’s decide to leave work early today. / How about we agree to leave work early today?) – A suggestion that requires mutual acceptance.
-기로 하다 is your go-to pattern for transforming an idea or a potential action into a definite, committed plan. Its common usage in the past tense (-기로 했어요) highlights that the decision-making event has already occurred, solidifying the plan for the future. This makes it an indispensable tool for clear and reliable communication in Korean.Common Mistakes
-기로 하다, primarily concerning negation, its application with adjectives, and confusion with other patterns expressing intention. Addressing these common pitfalls will enhance your accuracy and fluency.- 1Incorrect Negation: A frequent mistake is misplacing the negative particle
안(an) or the negative auxiliary지 않다(ji anta). The most natural and grammatically correct way to negate a decision with-기로 하다is to negate the verb itself before attaching-기로 하다.
- Correct and Standard: Use
Verb Stem + -지 않기로 하다.
지 않다 directly modifies the verb, and then this negated action (가지 않다, not to go) becomes the object of your decision.가지 않기로 했어요.(Gaji ankiro haesseoyo. I decided not to go.)늦지 않기로 약속했어요.(Neutji ankiro yaksokhaesseoyo. I promised not to be late.)이 과자를 먹지 않기로 했어요.(I gwajareul meokji ankiro haesseoyo. I decided not to eat this snack.)
- Less Common/Casual: Using
안 + Verb Stem + -기로 하다.
안 usually negates the entire predicate immediately following it. In this case, it might feel like you're negating the act of deciding rather than the intended action.- ⚠️
안 가기로 했어요.(An gagiro haesseoyo.) – Less natural than가지 않기로 했어요. - ⚠️
안 먹기로 했어요.(An meokgiro haesseoyo.) – Less natural than먹지 않기로 했어요.
Verb Stem + -지 않기로 하다 for clear and standard negation with this pattern.- 1Using with Adjectives:
-기로 하다can only attach to verb stems. You cannot directly attach it to an adjective stem because you cannot “decide to be” an adjective in the same way you “decide to do” an action. If you want to express a decision to become or get into an adjective state, you must first transform the adjective into a verb using the-(아/어)지다(a/eo-jida) auxiliary verb, which means “to become/get (adjective state).”
- Incorrect:
예쁘기로 했어요.(Yeppeugiro haesseoyo.) – You cannot decide to be pretty.예쁘다(yeppeuda, to be pretty) is an adjective. - Correct:
예뻐지기로 했어요.(Yeppeojigiro haesseoyo. I decided to become pretty.)
예쁘다 (pretty) becomes 예뻐지다 (to become pretty), which is a verb, and then -기로 했어요 attaches to 예뻐지-.행복하기로 했어요.(Haengbokhagiro haesseoyo. I decided to be happy.) - This is correct because행복하다(haengbokhada) is often used as a descriptive verb or can be seen as
Conjugation Table
| Verb | Stem | Pattern | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
|
가다
|
가
|
가기로 하다
|
Decided to go
|
|
먹다
|
먹
|
먹기로 하다
|
Decided to eat
|
|
공부하다
|
공부하
|
공부하기로 하다
|
Decided to study
|
|
자다
|
자
|
자기로 하다
|
Decided to sleep
|
|
읽다
|
읽
|
읽기로 하다
|
Decided to read
|
|
만나다
|
만나
|
만나기로 하다
|
Decided to meet
|
Meanings
This pattern expresses a decision or a resolution made by the speaker, or a mutual agreement reached with others.
Personal Decision
Expressing a resolution or choice made by the speaker.
“매일 아침 일찍 일어나기로 했어요.”
“한국어를 열심히 공부하기로 결심했어요.”
Mutual Agreement
Expressing a plan made between two or more people.
“우리 7시에 영화관 앞에서 만나기로 해요.”
“내일 같이 점심을 먹기로 했어요.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Verb + 기로 하다
|
가기로 했어요
|
|
Negative
|
Verb + 지 않기로 하다
|
가지 않기로 했어요
|
|
Past
|
Verb + 기로 했다
|
하기로 했어요
|
|
Suggestion
|
Verb + 기로 해요
|
하기로 해요
|
|
Question
|
Verb + 기로 했어요?
|
가기로 했어요?
|
|
Future
|
Verb + 기로 하겠다
|
하기로 하겠습니다
|
Formality Spectrum
가기로 했습니다. (General statement)
가기로 했어요. (General statement)
가기로 했어. (General statement)
가기로 함. (General statement)
Decision Flow
Personal
- 운동 Exercise
- 공부 Study
Social
- 약속 Appointment
- 만남 Meeting
Examples by Level
내일 친구를 만나기로 했어요.
I decided to meet a friend tomorrow.
오늘부터 운동하기로 했어요.
I decided to exercise starting today.
우리 7시에 영화관 앞에서 만나기로 해요.
Let's decide to meet in front of the theater at 7.
회의 시간을 2시로 변경하기로 결정했습니다.
We decided to change the meeting time to 2 o'clock.
그와 협력하지 않기로 최종 합의를 보았습니다.
We reached a final agreement not to cooperate with him.
우리가 애초에 약속했던 대로 진행하기로 하죠.
Let's proceed as we originally agreed.
Easily Confused
Both express future plans.
Both can talk about the future.
Both relate to plans.
Common Mistakes
가기로
가기로 했어요
안 가기로 했어요
가지 않기로 했어요
가기로 했다요
가기로 했어요
가기로 해요
가기로 했어요
먹기로 했어
먹기로 했어요
공부하기로 했지
공부하기로 했어요
만나기로 할 거야
만나기로 했어요
가기로 결정했어
가기로 했어요
안 하기로 했어
하지 않기로 했어요
가기로 했습니까?
가기로 했어요?
Sentence Patterns
저는 ___하기로 했어요.
우리 ___에서 만나기로 해요.
내일 ___하지 않기로 했어요.
이번 주말에 ___하기로 결정했어요.
Real World Usage
우리 7시에 보기로 함!
다음 주에 회의하기로 했습니다.
오늘부터 다이어트하기로 결심!
내일 아침에 일찍 출발하기로 했어요.
오늘은 집에서 먹기로 했어요.
이 회사에서 일하기로 결정했습니다.
Don't forget '하다'
Not for future predictions
Use for agreements
Politeness matters
Smart Tips
Use '하기로 했어요' instead of '결정했어요' for daily plans.
Use the question form '만나기로 했어요?' to confirm.
Add '오늘부터' for emphasis.
Use '하기로 했습니다' for business.
Pronunciation
Linking
The '기' and '로' are pronounced clearly, but '하기로' often flows together.
Statement
가기로 했어요 ↘
Firm statement of fact.
Question
가기로 했어요? ↗
Confirming a plan.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Giro' as 'Gear-o'. You are shifting your life's 'gear' into a new direction by deciding to do something.
Visual Association
Imagine a calendar on a wall. You take a red marker and circle a date, then write '기로 하다' next to it. The red circle represents the firm decision.
Rhyme
Decided to do, it's 'giro' for you.
Story
Min-su wanted to be healthy. He looked at his calendar. He wrote 'Exercise' on Monday. He said, '운동하기로 했어!' Now he is committed.
Word Web
Challenge
Write down 3 things you decided to do today using this grammar.
Cultural Notes
Making plans is a social glue. Using this grammar shows you are reliable.
In business, this is used to confirm agreements during meetings.
Often shortened to '하기로 함' in social media posts.
Derived from the noun '기' (act of doing) and the verb '하다' (to do).
Conversation Starters
주말에 뭐 하기로 했어요?
오늘 저녁에 뭐 먹기로 했어요?
내일 몇 시에 만나기로 했어요?
이번 프로젝트는 어떻게 하기로 했어요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
내일 친구를 ___ 했어요.
오늘부터 운동을 ___.
Find and fix the mistake:
나는 가기로.
먹기로 했어요.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
공부하기로 / 했어요 / 오늘부터
우리 내일 ___?
그는 담배를 ___ 했어요.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises내일 친구를 ___ 했어요.
오늘부터 운동을 ___.
Find and fix the mistake:
나는 가기로.
먹기로 했어요.
가기로 했어요
공부하기로 / 했어요 / 오늘부터
우리 내일 ___?
그는 담배를 ___ 했어요.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises피아노를 ___ 했어요. (배우다)
오늘은 ___ 했어요. (만나다 / negative)
Select the stronger commitment:
건강하기로 했어요. (Decided to be healthy)
영화를 / 내일 / 보기로 / 우리는 / 했어요
Choose the best Korean translation.
Match correctly.
Identify the grammatically wrong sentence.
여기서 ___ 해요. (만나다 / Present Tense)
어제 가기로 해요.
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
Usually, it's for your own decisions or mutual ones. For others, use '-기로 했다' to report their decision.
It can be formal or informal depending on the ending of '하다'.
It acts as the auxiliary verb to show the action of deciding.
Yes, '하기로 하겠다' is possible but sounds very formal.
You can say '하기로 했지만 마음이 바뀌었어요'.
Yes, very common in reports and emails.
'-기로 하다' is a grammar pattern; '결정하다' is a verb meaning 'to decide'.
No, it only works with verbs.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
ことにする (koto ni suru)
Grammatically identical structure.
decidir + infinitive
Korean uses a particle-based structure.
sich vornehmen
Korean is more direct.
décider de
Korean uses a suffix.
决定 (juédìng)
Korean is more flexible with tense.
قرر أن (qarrara an)
Korean structure is more compact.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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