Formal Intent: In Order To (-고자)
고자 for formal statements of intent where the subject remains consistent across the sentence.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use -고자 to express a formal, determined intent or purpose, often found in speeches, reports, or professional writing.
- Attach -고자 directly to the verb stem: 가다 -> 가고자.
- It is primarily used in formal settings, not casual conversation.
- The subject of the first clause must be the same as the second clause.
Overview
고자 (go-ja) is a formal Korean connective ending that expresses a strong intention or purpose. It translates most accurately to "in order to" or "with the intention of." This grammatical structure is a hallmark of formal discourse, signalling a deliberate and predetermined goal on the part of the speaker or writer. Its usage elevates the register of communication, making it suitable for professional, academic, journalistic, and official contexts.
While less common in everyday spoken Korean, mastering 고자 is crucial for learners at the B2 (Upper-Intermediate) level to convey gravitas and precision in their expressions of intent. It distinguishes mere desire from a well-considered objective.
Historically, 고자 stems from classical Korean and has retained its formal character throughout the evolution of the language. It inherently emphasizes the subject's volition and direct agency in achieving a stated purpose. Unlike more casual expressions of intent, 고자 implies a significant degree of commitment, foresight, and a clearly articulated objective that the subject actively seeks to realize.
This makes it a powerful tool for structuring arguments, outlining objectives, and establishing credibility and seriousness in formal communications. It frames the subsequent action as a direct means to fulfill the preceding stated intention.
How This Grammar Works
고자 involves connecting two clauses where the first clause states the purpose or intention, and the second clause describes the action taken to achieve that purpose. A critical and non-negotiable feature of 고자 is the single subject constraint: the grammatical subject of both the first clause (the intention) and the second clause (the action) must be identical. You cannot use 고자 if the action is performed so that someone else benefits or performs an action.고자 as an expression of internal, self-driven purpose.고자 attaches directly to the verb stem, signifying a future or present intention. Therefore, it is strictly incompatible with explicit past tense markers (e.g., -았/었-; 갔고자 is incorrect) or future/conjecture markers (e.g., -겠-; 가겠고자 is incorrect). The form 고자 itself intrinsically carries the meaning of intent or forward-looking action, rendering any additional tense markers redundant and grammatically erroneous.고자 primarily functions within declarative or interrogative sentences in formal contexts. It is rarely, if ever, found in imperative (command) or propositive (suggestion) forms. This restriction arises because 고자 centers on the speaker's or writer's own determined will or an inquiry into such will.성공하고자 노력합니다 (I strive in order to succeed), it would be highly unnatural and ungrammatical to construct phrases like 성공하고자 노력하세요! (Strive in order to succeed!) or 성공하고자 노력합시다! (Let's strive in order to succeed!). The grammatical focus remains on declaring or questioning a singular, self-driven intention, rather than directing or inviting others to act.고자 almost exclusively pairs with action verbs. It is generally not used with descriptive verbs (adjectives) directly because they express states rather than actions. If you wish to express an intention related to becoming a certain state, you must first transform the descriptive verb into an action verb using patterns like -아/어지다 (to become).예쁘고자 (in order to be pretty), while conceptually clear in English, is grammatically incorrect in Korean. The correct form would be 예뻐지고자 (in order to become pretty), employing the transformation from 예쁘다 (pretty) to 예뻐지다 (become pretty).사회에 봉사하고자 이 직업을 선택했습니다.(I chose this profession in order to serve society.)고객의 불편을 해소하고자 최선을 다하겠습니다.(We will do our best in order to resolve customer inconvenience.)정확한 정보를 전달하고자 신중히 검토하였습니다.(We reviewed it carefully in order to deliver accurate information.)
Formation Pattern
고자 is remarkably simple and consistent, positioning it among the easiest Korean connective endings to conjugate. It operates independently of batchim rules and does not require any intermediary particles or modifications to the verb stem's final consonant. You simply identify the verb stem and directly append 고자.
고자
-다).
-다 from the base form to extract the pure verb stem.
고자 directly to this isolated verb stem.
고자 because it attaches solely to the foundational stem. This consistency is a significant advantage for learners, ensuring predictability once the verb stem is correctly identified.
고자 Form | Romanization | Translation |
가다 (to go) | 가- | 가고자 (ga-go-ja) | ga-go-ja | In order to go |
읽다 (to read) | 읽- | 읽고자 (il-go-ja) | il-go-ja | In order to read |
하다 Verb | 연구하다 (to research) | 연구하- | 연구하고자 (yeon-gu-ha-go-ja) | yeon-gu-ha-go-ja | In order to research |
ㄷ | 듣다 (to listen) | 듣- | 듣고자 (deut-go-ja) | deut-go-ja | In order to listen |
ㅂ | 돕다 (to help) | 돕- | 돕고자 (dop-go-ja) | dop-go-ja | In order to help |
ㅅ | 낫다 (to recover/better) | 낫- | 낫고자 (nat-go-ja) | nat-go-ja | In order to recover |
ㄹ | 만들다 (to make) | 만들- | 만들고자 (man-deul-go-ja) | man-deul-go-ja | In order to make |
보이다 (to be seen) | 보이- | 보이고자 (bo-i-go-ja) | bo-i-go-ja | In order to be seen |
먹이다 (to feed) | 먹이- | 먹이고자 (meo-gi-go-ja) | meo-gi-go-ja | In order to feed |
고자 directly attaches to the verb stem without any changes, regardless of the stem's ending. This grammatical simplicity is a defining characteristic of this formal connective ending.
When To Use It
고자 is strategically employed in situations demanding a high degree of formality, clarity of purpose, and an authoritative or serious tone. Its usage signals to the audience that the speaker or writer is deliberate, well-prepared, and acting with significant intent. You should carefully consider the context and the desired communicative impact before choosing 고자.고자:- Official Statements and Public Announcements: Governments, corporate entities, and public organizations use
고자to articulate policies, institutional objectives, or significant actions. It conveys a collective, formalized intent that has been carefully considered. For example, a government agency might declare:국민들의 알 권리를 충족시키고자 이 정보를 공개합니다.(In order to satisfy the public's right to know, we are disclosing this information.)
- Academic Writing and Research Papers: In scholarly contexts such as theses, dissertations, research proposals, journal articles, and formal essays,
고자is instrumental in precisely stating the research objective, hypothesis, methodology, or the overall aim of the work. It imparts academic rigor and unambiguous intent. You might frequently encounter phrases like본 연구는 기존 이론의 한계를 극복하고자 새로운 접근 방식을 제안한다.(This study proposes a new approach in order to overcome the limitations of existing theories.)
- Business Presentations and Formal Reports: When outlining corporate goals, project proposals, strategic plans, or audit findings,
고자significantly enhances the professionalism of the communication. It clearly delineates the underlying purpose behind initiatives, decisions, or recommendations.글로벌 시장에서의 경쟁력을 강화하고자 신기술 개발에 투자하고 있습니다.(We are investing in new technology development in order to strengthen our competitiveness in the global market.)
- Job Interviews, Applications, and Professional Correspondence: In high-stakes professional interactions such as job interviews, cover letters, personal statements, or formal emails to superiors,
고자allows applicants or employees to express their career aspirations, reasons for applying, or professional intentions with conviction, respect, and seriousness. A job seeker might state:귀사의 혁신적인 문화에 동참하고자 지원했습니다.(I applied in order to participate in your company's innovative culture.)
- Legal and Administrative Documents: Contracts, legal briefs, official letters, policy directives, and administrative documents frequently utilize
고자to define purpose, clauses, or directives with utmost clarity and unambiguous intent, where misinterpretation must be avoided. For example,본 조항은 개인 정보 보호를 강화하고자 마련되었습니다.(This clause has been prepared in order to strengthen personal information protection.)
- Journalism and News Broadcasts: News anchors or reporters often use
고자when quoting or describing the intentions of public figures, institutions, or actions related to significant events. This usage lends an objective, authoritative, and formal tone to their reporting, especially for official declarations.정부는 경제 회복을 앞당기고자 추가 부양책을 발표할 예정입니다.(The government plans to announce additional stimulus measures in order to accelerate economic recovery.)
고자 in these contexts demonstrates not only advanced grammatical proficiency but also a deep understanding of the sociolinguistic nuances of formal Korean communication. It helps in projecting a credible, serious, and respectful image, aligning with cultural values placed on proper decorum and earnestness in professional and public interactions.Common Mistakes
고자, often due to its strict formality and contextual constraints. Understanding these common errors and their underlying grammatical or pragmatic reasons is critical for accurate and natural application of this ending.- Subject Mismatch: The Single Subject Rule Violation
고자 when the subjects of the two clauses are different. 고자 strictly requires that the actor performing the action and the one holding the intention are the same entity. If the purpose of an action is for someone else's benefit or so that a different entity can perform an action, 고자 is grammatically incorrect. For example, 제가 열심히 일하고자 가족이 행복하다 (I work hard in order for my family to be happy) is wrong because the subject of 일하고자 (제가) is different from the subject of 행복하다 (가족이). Instead, you would use structures like 제가 열심히 일해서 가족을 행복하게 해 드립니다 (I work hard to make my family happy) or 제가 열심히 일하는 것은 가족을 행복하게 하기 위해서입니다. Remember, 고자 expresses your singular, determined will.- Adding Tense Markers: Violation of Inherent Temporality
고자 inherently carries a future or present intentional meaning, making it incompatible with explicit tense markers. Incorrect forms such as 갔고자 (past tense + goja), 먹었고자 (past tense + goja), 공부하겠고자 (future/conjecture + goja), or 만들고자 했었다 (attempted to make in order to, past within past) are strictly ungrammatical. The verb stem must always be in its base, untensed form before attaching 고자. Always revert to the simple verb stem: 가고자, 먹고자, 공부하고자, 만들고자.- Usage with Descriptive Verbs (Adjectives): State vs. Action
고자 generally cannot attach directly to descriptive verbs (adjectives) because they denote states or qualities, not actions of intention. Attempting to say 예쁘고자 (in order to be pretty) or 행복하고자 (in order to be happy) is incorrect. To express an intention related to achieving a certain state, you must convert the descriptive verb into an action verb using the auxiliary construction -아/어지다 (to become). Thus, the correct forms would be 예뻐지고자 (in order to become pretty) or 행복해지고자 (in order to become happy). Even for states like health, 건강하고자 (in order to be healthy) becomes 건강해지고자 (in order to become healthy).- Informal Contexts and Casual Speech: Register Mismatch
고자 in casual conversations with friends, family, or close acquaintances will sound extremely unnatural, stiff, and often comical to native speakers. It creates a stark register mismatch, akin to delivering a presidential address in a casual chat. While grammatically correct, its social inappropriateness is a critical consideration. For instance, 친구를 만나고자 카페에 갑니다 (I go to the cafe in order to meet a friend) sounds like a robotic announcement or a highly formal declaration, not a casual plan. For casual intent, the much more common and appropriate expression is -(으)려고 (e.g., 친구 만나려고 카페에 가요). This distinction is a clear indicator of a learner's level of understanding of Korean sociolinguistic register.- Inappropriate in Imperative or Propositive Clauses: Directive Mismatch
하고자 clearly states one's own intention, its self-centric focus makes it unsuitable for giving commands or making suggestions to others. It feels awkward or incorrect when paired with imperative (-으세요, -십시오) or propositive (-읍시다, -자) endings. For example, 이 문제를 해결하고자 노력하세요 (Please make an effort in order to solve this problem) is unnatural because 하고자 expresses your internal drive, not a directive for others. A more natural and appropriate phrasing would be 이 문제를 해결하기 위해 노력하세요 or 이 문제 해결을 위해 노력해 주십시오. The nuance is that 고자 expresses a subjective, internal commitment, not an external command or proposal.- Overuse and Redundancy: Diminished Impact
고자, might be tempted to overuse it in situations where simpler or less formal expressions would be more appropriate. While 고자 is potent, its impact is diluted if applied indiscriminately. It should be reserved for moments when formal, deliberate intent is paramount. Overuse can make your writing or speech sound unnecessarily cumbersome, pedantic, or even affected. For many formal situations, -기 위해(서) serves as a less stiff, yet still respectful, alternative.Real Conversations
Despite its high formality, 고자 is not an archaic or unused form. It is a vibrant part of modern Korean, actively employed in specific formal spoken and written contexts to convey precision, respect, and clear objective. These examples showcase its natural usage in various professional, public, and academic communication scenarios.
1. Formal Business Meeting or Presentation Opening (Spoken):
안녕하십니까, 저는 오늘 이 자리에서 당사의 새로운 비전을 공유하고자 합니다. 고객 여러분의 성공적인 미래를 함께 만들어가고자 끊임없이 혁신할 것을 약속드립니다.
(Annyeonghasimnikka, jeoneun oneul i jari-eseo dangsa-ui saeroun bijyeon-eul gongyuhagoja hamnida. Gogaek yeoreobun-ui seonggongjeogin mirae-reul hamkke mandeul-eogagoja kkeuneom-si hyeoksinhal geos-eul yaksokdeurimnida.)
- Translation: "Good morning/afternoon, I am here today to share our company's new vision. We promise to innovate continuously in order to build a successful future with our customers."
- Insight: Here, the speaker uses 공유하고자 합니다 to formally state the primary purpose of their presence and 만들어가고자 약속드립니다 to articulate the driving intent behind the company's commitment, conveying professionalism and a clear agenda to the audience.
2. Official News Report or Public Announcement (Written/Spoken):
환경부는 국민 건강 증진을 도모하고자 미세먼지 저감 대책을 강화합니다. 지역 사회의 적극적인 참여를 유도하고자 다각적인 캠페인을 전개할 예정입니다.
(Hwan-gyeongbuneun gukmin geongang jeungjin-eul domohagoja misemeonji jeogam daesaek-eul ganghwahamnida. Jiyeok sahoe-ui jeokgeukjeogin chamyeo-reul yudohagoja dagakjeogin kaempein-eul jeongaehal yajeongimnida.)
- Translation: "The Ministry of Environment is strengthening fine dust reduction measures in order to promote public health. It plans to launch multifaceted campaigns in order to induce active participation from local communities."
- Insight: News reports often cite or paraphrase official governmental statements using 고자 to highlight the explicit intentions and policy objectives behind public actions, maintaining an objective and formal reporting style suitable for mass media.
3. Academic Thesis or Research Paper Introduction (Written):
본 연구는 도시 재생 사업이 지역 주민의 삶의 질에 미치는 영향을 심층적으로 분석하고자 한다. 이를 통해 지속 가능한 도시 발전 모델을 모색하고자 한다.
(Bon yeonguneun dosi jaesaeng saeop-i jiyeok jumin-ui salmui jil-e michineun yeonghyang-eul simcheungjeogeuro bunseokhagoja handa. Ireul tonghae jisok ganeunghan dosi baljeon model-eul mosaekhagoja handa.)
- Translation: "This study aims to deeply analyze the impact of urban regeneration projects on the quality of life for local residents. Through this, it seeks to explore sustainable urban development models."
- Insight: In academic writing, 하고자 한다 (intends to do / aims to do) is a standard construction used to articulate the research's specific aims, objectives, and methodologies with academic precision and intellectual seriousness, setting the scope for the entire work.
4. Formal Letter or Email (e.g., Job Application, Official Request) (Written):
귀사의 뛰어난 기술력과 미래 지향적인 비전에 깊이 공감하며, 저의 전문 지식과 경험을 바탕으로 귀사에 기여하고자 본 지원서를 제출합니다.
(Gwisaui ttuieonan gisullyeokgwa mirae jihyangjeogin bijeone gipi gonggamhamyeo, jeoui jeonmun jisikgwa gyeongheom-eul 바탕-euro gwisaoe giyeohagoja bon jiwonseoreul jechulhamnida.)
- Translation: "Deeply empathizing with your company's outstanding technology and future-oriented vision, I submit this application in order to contribute to your company based on my expertise and experience."
- Insight: Applicants use 고자 in formal correspondence to convey a strong, respectful, and professional intent to join or contribute to an organization. This demonstrates earnestness and aligns with the expected decorum in professional communication.
These examples demonstrate that while 고자 maintains its highly formal essence, it is a dynamic and essential part of the Korean language, actively employed in contexts where clarity of purpose, respect, and a serious tone are paramount. It is a testament to the language's capacity for nuanced expression based on social and situational register.
Quick FAQ
고자 always translated as "in order to"?고자 can also be understood as "with the intention of," "with the aim of," "so as to," or "desiring to." The underlying meaning consistently revolves around a deliberate purpose or a firm objective.고자 with 있다 (to be, to exist) or 없다 (to not be, to not exist)?고자 is not used directly with 있다 or 없다 because they primarily describe states of existence rather than actions of intention. However, if 있다 or 없다 function as part of a larger action verb phrase (e.g., 함께하다 meaningFormation of -고자
| Verb Stem | Suffix | Result | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
가
|
고자
|
가고자
|
가고자 합니다
|
|
먹
|
고자
|
먹고자
|
먹고자 합니다
|
|
공부하
|
고자
|
공부하고자
|
공부하고자 합니다
|
|
읽
|
고자
|
읽고자
|
읽고자 합니다
|
|
만들
|
고자
|
만들고자
|
만들고자 합니다
|
|
쓰
|
고자
|
쓰고자
|
쓰고자 합니다
|
Meanings
A formal connective ending used to express the purpose or intent behind an action, often implying a strong determination.
Formal Intent
Stating the purpose of an action in a professional context.
“성공하고자 열심히 공부했다.”
“이 자리를 빌려 감사의 말씀을 드리고자 합니다.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Verb Stem + 고자
|
공부하고자 합니다
|
|
Formal Intent
|
Verb Stem + 고자 하다
|
참석하고자 합니다
|
|
Past Intent
|
Verb Stem + 고자 했다
|
가고자 했습니다
|
|
Negative (Intent)
|
Verb Stem + 지 않고자 하다
|
하지 않고자 합니다
|
|
Question
|
Verb Stem + 고자 합니까?
|
가고자 합니까?
|
|
Short Answer
|
Verb Stem + 고자 합니다
|
네, 가고자 합니다
|
Formality Spectrum
가고자 합니다. (Expressing a plan.)
가려고 해요. (Expressing a plan.)
가려고 해. (Expressing a plan.)
갈 거야. (Expressing a plan.)
The Intentionality Map
Contexts
- Business Formal emails
- Academic Theses
- Public Speeches
Formal vs. Neutral Purpose
Can I use -고자?
Is it an action verb?
Examples by Level
공부하고자 합니다.
I intend to study.
가고자 합니다.
I intend to go.
말하고자 합니다.
I intend to speak.
일하고자 합니다.
I intend to work.
한국어를 배우고자 한국에 왔습니다.
I came to Korea to learn Korean.
이 책을 읽고자 합니다.
I intend to read this book.
도움을 드리고자 합니다.
I intend to offer help.
참석하고자 합니다.
I intend to attend.
더 나은 결과를 얻고자 최선을 다했습니다.
I did my best to achieve better results.
문제를 해결하고자 회의를 소집했습니다.
I called a meeting to solve the problem.
새로운 기술을 익히고자 교육을 신청했습니다.
I applied for training to learn new skills.
진실을 밝히고자 노력하고 있습니다.
I am striving to reveal the truth.
본인은 귀사의 발전에 기여하고자 지원하게 되었습니다.
I applied to contribute to your company's growth.
고객의 의견을 수렴하고자 설문조사를 실시합니다.
We are conducting a survey to collect customer feedback.
환경 보호를 실천하고자 일회용품을 줄이고 있습니다.
I am reducing disposables to practice environmental protection.
연구의 목적을 명확히 하고자 서론을 수정했습니다.
I revised the introduction to clarify the research purpose.
사회의 불평등을 해소하고자 정책적 대안을 제시합니다.
I propose policy alternatives to resolve social inequality.
전통 문화를 계승하고자 다양한 행사를 기획했습니다.
We planned various events to inherit traditional culture.
기술적 한계를 극복하고자 새로운 알고리즘을 도입했습니다.
We introduced a new algorithm to overcome technical limitations.
평화로운 공존을 도모하고자 대화를 시작했습니다.
We started a dialogue to promote peaceful coexistence.
인류의 번영을 도모하고자 과학적 탐구를 지속하고 있습니다.
We continue scientific inquiry to promote human prosperity.
언어의 미묘한 차이를 규명하고자 본 연구를 수행하였습니다.
I conducted this research to clarify the subtle differences in language.
역사적 과오를 바로잡고자 진상 규명 위원회가 발족되었습니다.
A truth commission was launched to rectify historical wrongs.
예술적 영감을 공유하고자 전시회를 개최하게 되었습니다.
I have come to host this exhibition to share artistic inspiration.
Easily Confused
Both express intent.
Both express purpose.
Both involve intent.
Common Mistakes
예쁘고자 합니다
예쁘려고 합니다
가고자 친구가 왔다
내가 가고자 식당에 갔다
먹고자 해요
먹고자 합니다
가고자 했다
가고자 합니다
공부하고자 친구를 만났다
공부하고자 도서관에 갔다
자고자 싶다
자고자 한다
가고자 가고 싶다
가고자 한다
행복하고자 노력한다
행복해지고자 노력한다
그가 가고자 내가 왔다
그가 가고자 그가 준비했다
말하고자 하는 바는
말하고자 하는 것은
가고자 할 것이다
가고자 한다
가고자 했었다
가고자 했다
가고자 하는 마음이 있다
가고자 한다
Sentence Patterns
저는 ___하고자 합니다.
___하고자 이 일을 시작했습니다.
___하고자 최선을 다하고 있습니다.
___하고자 하는 마음으로 여기에 왔습니다.
Real World Usage
귀사에서 일하고자 지원했습니다.
문의하고자 연락드립니다.
본 연구는 ~를 분석하고자 한다.
국민의 뜻을 받들고자 합니다.
최고의 서비스를 제공하고자 노력합니다.
이번 회의는 대안을 논의하고자 합니다.
Subject Consistency
No Adjectives
Formal Register
Politeness
Smart Tips
Use -고자 to sound professional.
Use -고자 to state your objective.
Use -고자 to define your research goal.
Use -고자 to express your motivation.
Pronunciation
Linking
The 'g' sound in -고자 is pronounced clearly.
Formal Statement
가고자 합니다 ↘
Falling intonation indicates a firm, professional statement.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Go-ja' as 'Go-to-do'. You are 'going to do' something very formally.
Visual Association
Imagine a person in a sharp suit standing at a podium. They are holding a microphone and saying '하고자' with a confident, serious expression.
Rhyme
When you want to sound professional and grand, use -고자 to make your purpose stand.
Story
Mr. Kim is a CEO. He wants to save his company. He stands before the board and says, 'I intend to save this company.' He uses -고자 to show his deep commitment.
Word Web
Challenge
Write three sentences about your future goals using -고자 and read them aloud in a formal tone.
Cultural Notes
Using -고자 in emails shows respect for the recipient's time and position.
It is standard in thesis writing to state the purpose of the research.
Politicians and leaders use it to sound authoritative.
Derived from the classical Korean intentive marker.
Conversation Starters
오늘 무엇을 하고자 합니까?
한국어를 배우고자 하는 이유는 무엇입니까?
미래에 어떤 일을 하고자 합니까?
이 프로젝트를 통해 무엇을 달성하고자 합니까?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
저는 한국어를 ___ 합니다.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
내가 가고자 친구가 왔다.
가려고 해요 -> ?
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
A: 왜 오셨어요? B: ___
하고자 / 합니다 / 연구 / 이 / 합니다
Can -고자 be used with adjectives?
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises저는 한국어를 ___ 합니다.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
내가 가고자 친구가 왔다.
가려고 해요 -> ?
먹다 -> ?
A: 왜 오셨어요? B: ___
하고자 / 합니다 / 연구 / 이 / 합니다
Can -고자 be used with adjectives?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises사람들을 ___ 봉사 활동을 시작했습니다.
성공했고자 노력합니다.
문제 해결을 / 모였습니다 / 하고자 / 우리나라는 (Wait, use simpler words)
소식을 ___ 이 자리에 섰습니다.
Match the pairs:
Which sentence sounds most professional?
더 좋은 세상을 ___ 노력합시다.
친구를 만나고자 커피숍에 가요.
In order to get a job...
Is this correct: '동생이 공부하고자 내가 조용히 했다'?
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
No, it sounds too formal and unnatural.
They have the same meaning, but -고자 is formal.
Because you cannot have an 'intent' to be an adjective.
No, just attach -고자 directly.
Only if you are being very formal or ironic.
The sentence will be incorrect.
Yes, in formal speeches or presentations.
Use -고자 했다.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
con el fin de
Korean attaches it directly to the verb.
afin de
French uses an infinitive structure.
um...zu
German is not as register-restricted as -고자.
〜ようとする
Japanese uses a slightly different auxiliary verb structure.
لـ (li-)
Arabic is a prefix, Korean is a suffix.
为了 (wèile)
Chinese uses a preposition, Korean uses a suffix.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
Because of Doing (Excuse): -느라고
Overview The Korean connective ending `-느라고` (neunago) is a highly specific grammatical construction used to express...
Going to Do Something (러/으러)
Overview In Korean, expressing the **purpose** for which an action is undertaken often requires precision. Among various...
Going to do... (-(으)러 가다/오다)
Overview The Korean grammar pattern `-(으)러 가다/오다` (Romanization: `-(eu)reo gada/oda`) is a fundamental A2-level co...
Korean Result Grammar: So That & Until (-도록)
Overview This guide introduces the Korean connective ending `도록` (pronounced `dorok`), a versatile grammatical tool cr...
Observing Changes & Results (-더니)
Overview `-더니` is an upper-intermediate (CEFR B2) Korean connective ending that expresses a direct observation made by...
