Explanation at your level:
You use 도록 to explain your goals. If you want to say 'I study so I can learn', you say '공부하도록'. It is a very helpful word for beginners who want to explain their reasons.
At this level, you start using 도록 to describe limits. 'I ran until I was tired' becomes '지치도록 달렸어요'. It adds detail to your stories about your day.
Now you can use 도록 in instructions. 'Make sure to arrive on time' is '늦지 않도록 하세요'. It is a key tool for giving polite advice and managing schedules.
You will notice 도록 in formal writing. It helps structure complex sentences where you need to clarify the intention behind a specific policy or action, making your writing sound sophisticated and precise.
In advanced contexts, 도록 is used to emphasize the extreme degree of a situation. It is often found in literature to describe emotional states, such as 'crying until the eyes were swollen'. It provides a nuanced way to express intensity.
At the mastery level, you understand the subtle interplay between 도록 and other causative structures. It allows for nuanced control over the narrative flow, distinguishing between intentional purpose and the natural result of an action.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Used for purpose.
- Used for degree.
- Attaches to verbs.
- Very versatile.
Welcome to the world of 도록! Think of this as your 'purpose-maker' in Korean. When you want to connect two ideas where the first one is the goal for the second, this is your go-to word.
It is incredibly common in daily life. Whether you are talking about setting an alarm so that you wake up on time, or running until you are out of breath, 도록 covers both the 'why' and the 'how much'. It makes your sentences sound natural and professional.
The particle 도록 has deep roots in Middle Korean. It evolved from a combination of the suffix '-도' (which implied a limit or degree) and the root '-록'.
Historically, it was used to define the boundaries of an action. Over centuries, it shifted from purely spatial or temporal limits to include the concept of 'intent'. It is fascinating how a simple grammatical marker can track the evolution of human logic from physical boundaries to abstract goals.
You use 도록 after a verb stem. It is very flexible and works in almost any register, from casual chats with friends to formal business reports.
Commonly, it pairs with verbs like 하다 (to do) or 되다 (to become). For example, '잊지 않도록 하세요' (Please make sure not to forget) is a classic phrase you will hear in offices and classrooms alike.
1. 닳도록: Literally 'until it wears out'. Used for something done repeatedly. 2. 지치도록: 'Until exhausted'. 3. 보도록 하다: 'To make sure to see/do'. 4. 울도록: 'Until crying'. 5. 익히도록: 'Until mastered'. These expressions emphasize the intensity of the action.
Grammatically, 도록 attaches directly to the verb stem. Unlike some other particles, it does not change based on the final consonant of the verb.
Pronunciation is straightforward: [do-rok]. The 'r' sound is a soft flap, similar to the 'dd' in the American English word 'ladder'. It flows smoothly into the next clause without a pause.
Fun Fact
It has been in the language since the 15th century.
Pronunciation Guide
Clear D, short O, rolled R, short O, K.
Similar to 'dough-rock' but with a flap R.
Common Errors
- Hard R instead of flap
- Dropping the K at the end
- Misplacing the stress
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to write
Easy to speak
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Purpose clauses
공부하려고
Degree clauses
지치도록
Negative purpose
않도록
Examples by Level
공부하도록 해요.
Let's study (so that we learn).
Purpose
먹도록 하세요.
Please eat.
Polite suggestion
자도록 해요.
Let's go to sleep.
Purpose
읽도록 하세요.
Please read.
Instruction
쓰도록 하세요.
Please write.
Instruction
걷도록 해요.
Let's walk.
Purpose
쉬도록 해요.
Let's rest.
Purpose
듣도록 해요.
Let's listen.
Purpose
지치도록 뛰었어요.
늦지 않도록 일찍 일어났어요.
잊지 않도록 적어두세요.
보도록 노력할게요.
잘 들리도록 크게 말하세요.
충분히 쉬도록 하세요.
다치지 않도록 조심하세요.
이해하도록 읽어보세요.
비가 오도록 기다렸어요.
문이 열리도록 밀었어요.
모두가 알도록 공지했어요.
눈물이 나도록 웃었어요.
목이 아프도록 노래했어요.
길을 잃지 않도록 지도를 봐요.
성적이 오르도록 공부해요.
약속을 지키도록 하세요.
그가 들어오도록 문을 열어두었다.
모두가 만족하도록 계획을 수정했다.
해가 뜨도록 밤을 새웠다.
사람들이 듣도록 마이크를 켰다.
실수가 없도록 다시 확인했다.
건강을 유지하도록 운동하세요.
상황이 개선되도록 노력 중이다.
오해가 없도록 설명해 주세요.
그는 숨이 차도록 산을 올랐다.
꽃이 피도록 봄을 기다렸다.
상대가 이해하도록 차근차근 말했다.
열정이 식지 않도록 마음을 다잡았다.
진실이 드러나도록 증거를 모았다.
모두가 편안하도록 배려했다.
성과가 나도록 최선을 다했다.
지루하지 않도록 재미있게 구성했다.
그는 평생을 바치도록 헌신했다.
역사가 기억하도록 기록을 남겼다.
운명이 바뀌도록 결단을 내렸다.
진심이 닿도록 편지를 썼다.
세상이 변하도록 목소리를 높였다.
고통이 잊히도록 시간을 보냈다.
영감이 떠오르도록 여행을 떠났다.
완벽하도록 세밀하게 다듬었다.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"닳도록 닳다"
To be worn out from overuse
책이 닳도록 읽었다.
neutral"목이 빠지도록"
Waiting very anxiously
목이 빠지도록 기다렸다.
casual"귀가 따갑도록"
To hear something so much it hurts
귀가 따갑도록 들었다.
casual"눈이 빠지도록"
Staring intensely
눈이 빠지도록 찾았다.
casual"배가 터지도록"
Until full to bursting
배가 터지도록 먹었다.
casual"지치도록"
Until completely exhausted
지치도록 놀았다.
neutralEasily Confused
Both mean purpose
위해 is for nouns
건강을 위해 vs 건강하도록
Both imply result
게 is softer
잘하게 vs 잘하도록
Both mean until
까지 is time/space
내일까지 vs 지치도록
Both imply intent
려고 is internal intent
가려고 vs 가도록
Sentence Patterns
Verb + 도록 + Verb
공부하도록 하세요.
Verb + 도록 + Adjective
지치도록 힘들다.
Verb + 지 않도록 + Verb
늦지 않도록 하세요.
Verb + 도록 + Noun
기억하도록 노력했다.
Verb + 도록 + Adverb
잘 들리도록 크게 말해.
Word Family
Related
How to Use It
9
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
It only attaches to action verbs.
위해 works with nouns, 도록 does not.
Tense is marked at the end of the sentence.
It can sound repetitive.
Ensure the meaning fits the sentence.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a goal post.
Native Speakers
Use it for advice.
K-pop
Listen for it in ballads.
Shortcut
Always follow a verb.
Say It Right
Soft R.
No Nouns
Don't add to nouns.
History
Old Korean roots.
Daily Goals
Use it in your diary.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Do (Do) + Rok (Rock) = Do it until you rock!
Visual Association
A person practicing guitar until their fingers rock.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences about your goals today using 도록.
Word Origin
Korean
Original meaning: Limit or extent
Cultural Context
None.
Translates to 'so that' or 'until'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- 잊지 않도록 하세요
- 확인하도록 하겠습니다
- 준비하도록 하겠습니다
At school
- 공부하도록 해요
- 잘 이해하도록 하세요
- 숙제하도록 하세요
At home
- 일찍 자도록 해
- 방을 치우도록 해
- 건강하도록 먹어
Travel
- 길을 잃지 않도록 조심하세요
- 일찍 도착하도록 하세요
- 잘 보도록 하세요
Conversation Starters
"What do you do to ensure you wake up on time?"
"How do you study so that you remember things?"
"What do you do until you are exhausted?"
"Why do you work hard?"
"How can we make this project better?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a goal you have.
Describe a time you worked until you were tired.
What are your habits to stay healthy?
How do you prepare for a trip?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsUsually no, it is for verbs.
It is neutral and versatile.
Use '않도록'.
The main verb is usually in the present form.
No, it's about purpose.
Yes, for degree.
Extremely.
Yes, very common.
Test Yourself
공부 ___ 하세요.
Purpose structure.
Which means 'until exhausted'?
Degree usage.
도록 can be used with nouns.
Only verbs.
Word
Meaning
Common collocation.
Standard order.
Score: /5
Summary
Use 도록 to connect your actions to your goals or to describe the intensity of an experience.
- Used for purpose.
- Used for degree.
- Attaches to verbs.
- Very versatile.
Memory Palace
Imagine a goal post.
Native Speakers
Use it for advice.
K-pop
Listen for it in ballads.
Shortcut
Always follow a verb.
Example
밤새도록 공부했어요.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
More business words
에 대한
A2Concerning or relating to; about, regarding.
~대하여
A2About, concerning, regarding.
대해서
A2Concerning or with regard to; about, regarding.
에 대해
A2About; regarding.
풍요롭다
A2To be abundant, prosperous, or rich.
관철하다
B2To carry through, achieve, or persist in one's will or goal until it is accomplished, despite difficulties.
~에 따라
B1According to, depending on; as stated by or determined by.
에 따라
A2According to; in accordance with.
에 의하면
B1According to; as stated by or reported by.
계좌번호
A2A unique identifier for a bank account.
