Intending to do... (으)려고
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use -(으)려고 to express your intention or purpose for doing an action, like saying 'I am doing X to do Y'.
- Add -려고 to verb stems ending in a vowel: 가다 -> 가려고
- Add -으려고 to verb stems ending in a consonant: 먹다 -> 먹으려고
- Use with motion verbs like 가다 (go) or 오다 (come) to show destination purpose.
Overview
-(으)려고 is a fundamental Korean connective ending that expresses intention or purpose. It links an action or state described in the first clause to the action performed in the second clause, indicating that the latter is undertaken in order to achieve the former. At the A2 CEFR level, mastering -(으)려고 is crucial for articulating your motivations, plans, and the rationale behind your actions.
This pattern allows you to clearly communicate your volition. When you say 한국어를 배우려고 한국에 왔어요 (I came to Korea to learn Korean), 한국어를 배우려고 specifies the driving purpose behind your arrival. It answers the implicit question of "Why?" for the action in the main clause, making your communication more precise and goal-oriented.
Understanding this structure helps you move beyond simple statements to more complex expressions of causality driven by personal will.
How This Grammar Works
-(으)려고 functions as a connective ending that attaches directly to the verb stem of the preceding clause. This first clause, modified by -(으)려고, outlines the speaker's intention or purpose. The subsequent main clause then describes the action that the speaker performs to realize that intention.돈을 모으려고 일해요 (I work to save money). Here, 돈을 모으려고 (intending to save money) states the purpose, and 일해요 (I work) is the action taken to fulfill that purpose. The grammatical construction inherently implies a causal relationship rooted in the subject's will.-(으)려고, simply saying 돈을 모으고 일해요 (I save money and work) would imply two separate actions, not a purpose.-(으)려고 is that the subject of both clauses must be identical. This pattern is inherently egocentric, always centering on the singular will of the speaker or the identified subject. You cannot use -(으)려고 to express someone else's intention as the purpose for your own action, nor can you use it for your intention driving someone else's action.제가 한국어를 배우려고 친구가 저를 도왔어요 (My friend helped me so that I could learn Korean) is grammatically incorrect because the subject changes from 저 (I) in the first clause to 친구가 (my friend) in the second. For such situations, alternative patterns like -(으)도록 (as in 친구가 제가 한국어를 배우도록 도왔어요) or ~게 (친구는 제가 한국어를 배우게 도왔어요) would be required to indicate enablement or a result for a different subject.-(으)려고 itself does not carry tense. All tense marking (past, present, future) is exclusively applied to the main verb at the end of the entire sentence. The intention expressed by -(으)려고 remains in its base, untensed form, representing a timeless goal or purpose.책을 읽으려고 도서관에 갔어요 (I went to the library to read a book), 읽으려고 (intending to read) is untensed, while 갔어요 (went) signifies past tense. This means the intention itself is not bound by time, only the action taken to fulfill it.이다 (to be). If you wish to express an intention related to becoming a certain state, you must first transform the descriptive verb or copula into an action verb form, most commonly ~아/어지다 (to become) or 되다 (to become).예쁘려고 화장해요 (I put on makeup to be pretty) is incorrect because 예쁘다 (to be pretty) is descriptive. The correct form is 예뻐지려고 화장해요 (I put on makeup to become pretty), utilizing the action verb 예뻐지다.-(으)려고 is followed by 하다 (to do/try), as in -(으)려고 하다, it takes on a slightly different nuance. It can mean "to be about to do something" or "to intend to do something." For instance, 지금 막 나가려고 해요 (I'm just about to go out) signifies imminent action. It can also imply a stronger, more definite intention than -(으)려고 alone, sometimes even carrying a sense of effort or attempt.Formation Pattern
-(으)려고 is straightforward and depends on the final consonant (받침, _batchim_) of the verb stem. Always begin by removing the dictionary ending 다 from the verb. Remember, this pattern exclusively applies to action verbs.
-(으)려고 Form | Romanization | Translation |
려고 | 가다 (to go) | 가 | 가려고 | _garyeogo_ | intending to go |
ㄹ batchim | Add 려고 | 만들다 (to make) | 만들 | 만들려고 | _mandeullyeogo_ | intending to make |
으려고 | 먹다 (to eat) | 먹 | 먹으려고 | _meogeuryeogo_ | intending to eat |
-(으)려고. These changes are crucial for correct formation.
ㄷ Irregular Verbs: When a verb stem ending in ㄷ is followed by a vowel-initial ending, the ㄷ changes to ㄹ. Since -(으)려고 effectively starts with a vowel sound (으), this rule applies.
듣다 (to listen) → 들 (irregular stem) + 으려고 → 들으려고 (_deureuryeogo_) – intending to listen. (노래를 들으려고 이어폰을 꼈어요. – I put on earphones to listen to music.)
걷다 (to walk) → 걸 (irregular stem) + 으려고 → 걸으려고 (_georeuryeogo_) – intending to walk. (산책하려고 공원에 갔어요. – I went to the park to take a walk.)
ㅂ Irregular Verbs: When a verb stem ending in ㅂ is followed by a vowel-initial ending, the ㅂ changes to 우 (or occasionally 오). This 우/오 then combines with -(으)려고.
돕다 (to help) → 도우 (irregular stem) + 려고 → 도우려고 (_doulyeogo_) – intending to help. (친구를 도우려고 일찍 왔어요. – I came early to help my friend.)
눕다 (to lie down) → 누우 (irregular stem) + 려고 → 누우려고 (_nuuryeogo_) – intending to lie down. (피곤해서 누우려고 방에 들어갔어요. – I was tired, so I went into my room to lie down.)
춥다 (to be cold) do not directly use -(으)려고. You would say 따뜻해지려고 (to become warm) instead).
ㅅ Irregular Verbs: When a verb stem ending in ㅅ is followed by a vowel-initial ending, the ㅅ drops. This applies before -(으)려고.
낫다 (to recover/be better) → 나 (irregular stem) + 으려고 → 나으려고 (_naeuryeoryeo_) – intending to recover. (감기 나으려고 약을 먹었어요. – I took medicine to recover from a cold.)
잇다 (to connect) → 이 (irregular stem) + 으려고 → 이으려고 (_ieuryeogo_) – intending to connect. (두 건물을 이으려고 다리를 만들었어요. – They built a bridge to connect the two buildings.)
르 Irregular Verbs: When a verb stem ends in 르 and is followed by certain endings, the 르 changes. For -(으)려고, the 르 simply becomes ㄹ and 으려고 is added, but it behaves more like a standard consonant stem that takes 으려고.
모르다 (to not know) → 모르 + 으려고 → 모르려고 (_moreuryeogo_) – intending to not know. (While grammatically correct, expressing 'intending to not know' is an uncommon construct for 모르다. A more practical example: 선택을 서두르려고 하지 마세요. – Don't try to rush the decision.)
부르다 (to call/sing) → 부르 + 으려고 → 부르려고 (_bureuryeogo_) – intending to call/sing. (친구를 부르려고 전화를 걸었어요. – I called my friend to summon them.)
When To Use It
-(으)려고 whenever the action in your main clause is a deliberate effort to achieve a specific goal or intention. This pattern distinctly emphasizes the purposeful nature of the action and the subject's volition. It's particularly useful for explaining why an action was, is, or will be performed.- Expressing Personal Goals and Plans: This is the most frequent application. You can use it to articulate your aspirations, daily objectives, future aims, or the reasons behind your choices. It highlights the proactive nature of the subject.
- Formal (
합니다체):건강해지려고 매일 운동합니다.(I exercise daily to become healthy.) - Casual (
해체):한국에서 일하려고 한국어 공부하고 있어.(I'm studying Korean to work in Korea.) 돈을 모으려고 아르바이트를 시작했어요.(I started a part-time job to save money.)
- Explaining Decisions or Past Actions: When recounting events or justifying past behavior,
-(으)려고clarifies the original intent behind an action. It provides context for the historical event. - Formal:
새 차를 사려고 돈을 모았습니다.(I saved money to buy a new car.) - Casual:
친구가 보고 싶어서 만나려고 서울에 왔어.(My friend missed me, so I came to Seoul to meet them.) 졸업 작품을 만들려고 밤새 고민했어요.(I agonized all night to create my graduation project.)
- Inquiries about Purpose: While
-(으)려고explicitly states the speaker's or subject's intent, it frequently appears in questions when inquiring about another person's purpose or plan. It often combines with movement verbs or하다. 어디에 가려고 해요?(Where are you planning to go? / Where are you going for what purpose?)무엇을 하려고 여기에 왔어요?(What did you come here to do?)점심 뭐 먹으려고?(What are you planning to eat for lunch?)
- In combination with
하다(-(으)려고 하다): As noted, this form can mean "to be about to do something" or "to intend to do something." It implies a stronger or more immediate intention.막(just) often accompanies it for immediacy. 이제 막 숙제를 끝내려고 해요.(I'm just about to finish my homework.)그는 새로운 사업을 시작하려고 합니다.(He intends to start a new business.)친구가 저에게 전화하려고 하다가 말았어요.(My friend was about to call me, but then didn't.)
- Contrasting
-(으)려고with-(으)러: While both express purpose,-(으)러is specifically used when the main verb is a verb of movement (가다, 오다, 다니다, 돌아다니다, etc.), indicating the purpose _for going/coming_.-(으)려고is more general and can be used with _any_ action verb in the main clause, not just movement verbs. You wouldn't use-(으)러if the second clause isn't a movement verb. For example,책을 읽으러 도서관에 갔어요(I went to the library to read a book) is correct, but책을 읽으러 공부해요(I study to read a book) is incorrect; it should be책을 읽으려고 공부해요.
Common Mistakes
-(으)려고 due to its nuances and constraints. Recognizing these pitfalls can significantly improve your accuracy.- Incorrect Subject Identity: This is the most frequent mistake. Remember,
-(으)려고mandates that the subject of the first clause (intention) and the second clause (action) must be the same. You cannot use it to express that someone else's action is for your purpose, or your action is for someone else's purpose. - Incorrect:
제가 한국어를 배우려고 친구가 도와줬어요.(Incorrect: "I intend to learn Korean, so my friend helped me.") – Here, the subject shifts from제가(I) to친구가(my friend). The friend's action is not their intention to learn Korean. The friend helped so that I could learn. - Correct:
친구가 제가 한국어를 배우도록 도와줬어요.(My friend helped me so that I could learn Korean.) - Correct (Same Subject):
제가 한국어를 배우려고 매일 공부해요.(I study every day to learn Korean.)
- Using with Descriptive Verbs or Copula:
-(으)려고attaches only to action verbs. You cannot directly use it with adjectives or이다. - Incorrect:
행복하려고 돈을 많이 벌어요.(Incorrect: "I earn a lot of money to be happy.") –행복하다(to be happy) is a descriptive verb. - Correct:
행복해지려고 돈을 많이 벌어요.(I earn a lot of money to become happy.) –행복해지다is an action verb meaning "to become happy." - Incorrect:
학생이려고 열심히 공부해요.(Incorrect: "I study hard to be a student.") –학생이다is the copula. - Correct:
학생이 되려고 열심히 공부해요.(I study hard to become a student.) –되다is an action verb meaning "to become."
- Adding Tense to
-(으)려고: The connective ending-(으)려고itself remains untensed. All tense marking occurs on the final verb of the sentence. - Incorrect:
먹었으려고 식당에 갔어요.(Incorrect: "I went to the restaurant, intending to have eaten.") - Correct:
먹으려고 식당에 갔어요.(I went to the restaurant to eat.) – The past tense is solely on갔어요.
- Confusing
-(으)려고with-(으)러: While both express purpose, their usage contexts differ.-(으)러is exclusively for movement verbs, indicating the purpose for going/coming to a place.-(으)려고is for any action verb in the main clause, defining the broader intention. - Incorrect:
공부하러 책을 폈어요.(Incorrect: "I opened the book to study [as if the book is a destination]") - Correct:
공부하려고 책을 폈어요.(I opened the book to study.) - Correct (Movement):
공부하러 도서관에 갔어요.(I went to the library to study.)
- Overuse or Awkward Placement: While versatile, sometimes
-(으)려고can sound unnatural if overused or placed in an overly complex sentence structure. Ensure the relationship between intention and action is clear and direct. For very simple, immediate purposes, other constructions might be more natural, though-(으)려고remains grammatically sound.
Real Conversations
In authentic Korean communication, -(으)려고 appears frequently in both formal and casual settings. It's especially common in daily conversations, planning, and explaining actions. You'll find it in various registers, reflecting its utility.
- Casual Chat (친구와 대화):
- A: 주말에 뭐 하려고? (What are you planning to do this weekend?)
- B: 친구 만나려고 부산에 갈 거야. (I'm going to Busan to meet a friend.)
- A: 그래? 조심히 갔다 와! (Oh, really? Go and come back safely!)
- Work/Academic Setting (직장/학교):
- 이 프로젝트를 성공시키려고 밤낮으로 일했습니다. (I worked day and night to make this project successful.)
- 발표 자료 만들려고 회의실에 일찍 왔어요. (I came to the meeting room early to prepare the presentation materials.)
- Texting/Social Media (문자/SNS):
- 다이어트 하려고 샐러드 먹는 중. 배고파 ㅠㅠ (Eating salad to diet. So hungry TT)
- 새로운 취미 찾으려고 이것저것 알아보고 있어. (Looking into various things to find a new hobby.)
- 여행 계획 세우려고 지도 보고 있어! (Looking at a map to plan a trip!)
- Conversational Shortening: In very casual speech, especially when 하다 follows, -(으)려고 하다 might be shortened or implied, though less formally than the common -ㄹ게 or -자 for suggestions.
- 점심 뭐 먹으려고? (What are you going to eat for lunch?)
- 지금 출발하려고. (I'm about to leave now.)
Cultural Insight
-(으)려고 in Korean reflects a cultural emphasis on purpose and intentionality in actions. Explaining the why behind an action is often seen as a polite and logical way to communicate, especially when making requests or explaining absences. This grammatical pattern allows for clear and concise expression of such intentions, contributing to effective interpersonal communication.Quick FAQ
-(으)려고:- Q: Can
-(으)려고be used with있다/없다? - A: No,
있다(to have/exist) and없다(to not have/exist) are not action verbs. You cannot attach-(으)려고directly. If you want to express the intention to have something, you'd typically use가지려고(from가지다, to possess) or있게 되려고(to become in a state of having).
- Q: Is
-(으)려고interchangeable with~기 위해(서)? - A: Not entirely. Both express purpose. However,
~기 위해(서)tends to sound more formal and is often used for more significant, overarching goals or in written contexts. It can also be used when the subjects of the two clauses are different, which-(으)려고cannot.-(으)려고is generally more conversational and focuses on the subject's direct volition.
- Q: Can I use
-(으)려고with commands or suggestions? - A: Generally no.
-(으)려고expresses the speaker's (or sentence subject's) intention. Commands or suggestions target the listener. For instance,한국어를 배우려고 공부하세요(Study to learn Korean) sounds unnatural. You would typically use한국어를 배우려면 공부해야 해요(If you want to learn Korean, you must study) or simply한국어를 배우세요(Learn Korean).
- Q: What's the difference between
-(으)려고and-(으)러again? - A:
-(으)러is only used when the main verb is a verb of movement (e.g.,가다,오다,다니다), signifying the purpose of that movement.-(으)려고is a more general intention or purpose that can precede any action verb in the main clause, not just movement verbs.
- Q: Does
-(으)려고 하다always mean "about to"? - A: Not exclusively. It can mean "about to do" (imminent action) but also "to intend to do" (a plan or goal). The context, and sometimes adverbs like
막(just), will clarify the nuance. For example,새 집을 사려고 해요(I intend to buy a new house) vs.지금 막 집을 나서려고 해요(I'm just about to leave the house).
Formation of -(으)려고
| Verb Type | Ending | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Vowel Stem
|
-려고
|
가다 -> 가려고
|
Intending to go
|
|
Consonant Stem
|
-으려고
|
먹다 -> 먹으려고
|
Intending to eat
|
|
ㄹ-ending
|
-려고
|
만들다 -> 만들려고
|
Intending to make
|
|
ㄷ-irregular
|
-으려고
|
듣다 -> 들으려고
|
Intending to listen
|
|
ㅂ-irregular
|
-으려고
|
돕다 -> 도우려고
|
Intending to help
|
|
ㅎ-irregular
|
-려고
|
빨갛다 -> (N/A)
|
N/A (Adjective)
|
Common Shortened Forms
| Full Form | Shortened Form |
|---|---|
|
-(으)려고 하다
|
-(으)려 하다
|
Meanings
This grammar expresses the subject's intention or plan to perform the following action. It translates to 'in order to' or 'intending to'.
Future Intention
Expressing a plan to do something.
“운동하려고 옷을 샀어요.”
“책을 읽으려고 도서관에 가요.”
Purpose of Action
The reason behind an action.
“살을 빼려고 매일 달려요.”
“돈을 벌려고 열심히 일해요.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Stem + (으)려고
|
공부하려고 해요.
|
|
Negative
|
Stem + (으)려고 하지 않다
|
공부하려고 하지 않아요.
|
|
Question
|
Stem + (으)려고 해요?
|
공부하려고 해요?
|
|
Past
|
Stem + (으)려고 했다
|
공부하려고 했어요.
|
|
Future
|
Stem + (으)려고 할 것이다
|
공부하려고 할 거예요.
|
|
Polite
|
Stem + (으)려고 합니다
|
공부하려고 합니다.
|
Formality Spectrum
빵을 사려고 가게에 갑니다. (Daily errand)
빵을 사려고 가게에 가요. (Daily errand)
빵 사려고 가게에 가. (Daily errand)
빵 사러 가게 가. (Daily errand)
The Intentional Flow
Action
- 가다 Go
- 먹다 Eat
Result
- 목적 Goal
- 의도 Intention
Examples by Level
한국어를 배우려고 공부해요.
I study to learn Korean.
친구를 만나려고 가요.
I am going to meet a friend.
밥을 먹으려고 식당에 가요.
I am going to a restaurant to eat.
영화를 보려고 해요.
I intend to watch a movie.
살을 빼려고 운동을 시작했어요.
I started exercising to lose weight.
돈을 벌려고 아르바이트를 해요.
I work part-time to earn money.
무엇을 하려고 한국에 왔어요?
What did you come to Korea to do?
선물을 사려고 백화점에 가요.
I am going to the department store to buy a gift.
시험에 합격하려고 밤새 공부했어요.
I studied all night to pass the exam.
가족을 도우려고 열심히 일해요.
I work hard to help my family.
새 차를 사려고 돈을 모으고 있어요.
I am saving money to buy a new car.
좋은 인상을 남기려고 노력해요.
I try hard to leave a good impression.
더 나은 환경에서 살려고 이민을 결심했어요.
I decided to immigrate to live in a better environment.
문제를 해결하려고 회의를 소집했습니다.
I called a meeting to solve the problem.
기술을 습득하려고 전문 과정을 등록했어요.
I enrolled in a professional course to acquire skills.
오해를 풀려고 그에게 전화했어요.
I called him to clear up the misunderstanding.
자아를 실현하려고 예술을 시작했습니다.
I started art to realize my self-identity.
사회적 변화를 이끌어내려고 캠페인을 벌입니다.
We are launching a campaign to bring about social change.
효율성을 극대화하려고 시스템을 개편했어요.
We reorganized the system to maximize efficiency.
진실을 밝혀내려고 끝까지 조사할 것입니다.
I will investigate until the end to uncover the truth.
역사의 흐름을 바꾸려고 그들은 목숨을 걸었습니다.
They risked their lives to change the course of history.
인류의 번영을 도모하려고 이 프로젝트를 시작했습니다.
We started this project to promote the prosperity of humanity.
고정관념을 타파하려고 파격적인 시도를 했습니다.
I made unconventional attempts to break stereotypes.
본질을 탐구하려고 수년간 연구에 매진했습니다.
I devoted myself to research for years to explore the essence.
Easily Confused
Both show purpose, but -러 is only for motion verbs.
Both mean 'in order to'.
Used with adjectives to show purpose.
Common Mistakes
예쁘려고 화장해요.
예뻐지려고 화장해요.
먹려고 해요.
먹으려고 해요.
가려고 해요.
가려고 해요 (Correct).
공부하려고 가요.
공부하려고 가요 (Correct).
행복하려고 노력해요.
행복해지려고 노력해요.
가려고 했다.
가려고 했어요.
먹으려고 했다.
먹으려고 했어요.
건강하려고 운동해요.
건강을 위해 운동해요.
성공하려고 공부했어요.
성공을 위해 공부했어요.
돈을 벌려고 해요.
돈을 벌려고 해요 (Correct).
평화를 유지하려고 노력합니다.
평화 유지를 위해 노력합니다.
발전하려고 투자합니다.
발전을 위해 투자합니다.
이해하려고 합니다.
이해하려고 합니다 (Correct).
Sentence Patterns
저는 ___을/를 하려고 ___에 가요.
___을/를 배우려고 한국에 왔어요.
돈을 벌려고 ___을/를 해요.
___을/를 하려고 계획 중이에요.
Real World Usage
뭐 하려고?
경험을 쌓으려고 지원했습니다.
포장하려고 합니다.
사진을 찍으려고 멈췄어요.
운동하려고 시작한 인스타!
질문하려고 손을 들었어요.
No Commands!
The ㄹ Shortcut
Shortening it
Smart Tips
Put the purpose clause (Y) before the action clause (X).
Check the last letter of the verb stem. If it's a consonant, add -으-.
Use -(으)려고 for personal, immediate goals.
Use -(으)려고 하다 to express a plan.
Pronunciation
Consonant assimilation
When -려고 follows a consonant, it may sound like -려고요.
Rising
가려고 해요↗?
Are you intending to go?
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of '-(으)려고' as 'You-go' (려고) to do something. You go to do it!
Visual Association
Imagine a person walking with a giant arrow pointing to a goal. The arrow is labeled '-(으)려고'.
Rhyme
Vowel 려고, Consonant 으려고, Intentions clear, goals are near.
Story
Min-su wanted to eat. He said, '먹으려고 해요' (I intend to eat). He walked to the kitchen. He saw a cake. He was happy because he fulfilled his intention.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences about what you plan to do today using -(으)려고.
Cultural Notes
Koreans value clear intentions. Using this grammar helps show you are purposeful.
In business, using this shows you have a plan.
Friends use it to make plans.
Derived from the verb '하다' (to do) and the intent marker '-(으)려'.
Conversation Starters
주말에 무엇을 하려고 해요?
한국어를 왜 배우려고 해요?
오늘 저녁에 무엇을 먹으려고 해요?
이번 휴가에 어디에 가려고 해요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
저는 한국어를 (배우다) ___ 한국에 왔어요.
밥을 (먹다) ___ 식당에 가요.
Find and fix the mistake:
예쁘려고 화장해요.
운동을 해요. 살을 빼요. (Combine with -(으)려고)
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
A: 왜 한국에 왔어요? B: 한국어를 ___ 왔어요.
친구를 / 만나려고 / 카페에 / 가요.
-(으)려고 can be used with adjectives.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises저는 한국어를 (배우다) ___ 한국에 왔어요.
밥을 (먹다) ___ 식당에 가요.
Find and fix the mistake:
예쁘려고 화장해요.
운동을 해요. 살을 빼요. (Combine with -(으)려고)
돈을 벌려고 -> ?
A: 왜 한국에 왔어요? B: 한국어를 ___ 왔어요.
친구를 / 만나려고 / 카페에 / 가요.
-(으)려고 can be used with adjectives.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises유럽을 ____ 돈을 모으고 있어요.
시험에 / 합격하려고 / 공부를 / 열심히 / 했어요
I went home to sleep.
Choose the INCORRECT sentence:
Match the pairs:
음악을 들으려고 이어폰을 샀어요.
____ 택시를 탔어요.
예뻐 / 보이려고 / 필터를 / 사용했어요
Which fits an Instagram photo of a gym?
I am saving money to buy a house.
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
Almost any action verb. Avoid descriptive verbs (adjectives).
Use -려고 for vowel stems and -으려고 for consonant stems.
It is neutral and can be used in any register depending on the final verb.
Yes, e.g., '먹으려고 했어요' (I intended to eat).
-러 is only for motion verbs like 'go' or 'come'.
No, 'to be' is not an action verb.
Yes, it is one of the most common connective endings.
To explain your reasons and plans clearly.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
para + infinitive
Korean requires conjugation of the purpose verb, while Spanish uses the infinitive.
pour + infinitive
French is a prepositional phrase, while Korean is a verb suffix.
um...zu + infinitive
German syntax requires splitting the structure around the verb.
〜ために
Japanese uses a noun particle, while Korean uses a verb ending.
为了 (wèile)
Chinese places the purpose marker before the action, Korean places it after the verb stem.
li- (لـ)
Arabic uses a prefix, Korean uses a suffix.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Videos
Related Grammar Rules
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