In Korean, expressing purpose often involves the grammar patterns ‘-(으)려면’ and ‘-(으)려고’. Although they may look similar, they serve different roles in a sentence. ‘-(으)려면’ is used to state conditions for achieving a goal, while ‘-(으)려고’ expresses one’s intention or plan. Understanding how to use these expressions correctly will help you speak Korean more naturally and clearly. This post explains the difference between ‘-(으)려면’ vs. ‘-(으)려고’ with clear examples and practical tips.
Contents
1. Definition
‘-(으)려면’
This pattern means “if (someone) wants to/intends to…”. It sets a condition to achieve a goal or purpose.
English equivalent: “If you want to…”, “In order to…”
‘-(으)려고 (하다)’
This structure is used to express intention or purpose directly.
English equivalent: “to try to…”, “intend to…”, “in order to…”
2. Form (Structure)
1. -(으)려면
Attach to the verb stem.
- Ends in consonant (except ㄹ) → -으려면
- Ends in vowel or ㄹ → -려면
2. -(으)려고 하다
Attach to the verb stem.
- Ends in consonant (except ㄹ) → -으려고 하다
- Ends in vowel or ㄹ → -려고 하다
| Verb Ending | -(으)려면 | -(으)려고 하다 |
| Vowel / ㄹ | 가려면 (if you want to go) | 가려고 하다 (try to go) |
| Consonant (except ㄹ) | 먹으려면 (if you want to eat) | 먹으려고 하다 (try to eat) |
3. Meaning & Usage
1) ‘-(으)려면’: If you want to / In order to
Examples:
- 한국에서 일하려면 한국어를 잘해야 해요.
(If you want to work in Korea, you need to be good at Korean.) - 운동을 하려면 편한 옷이 필요해요.
(If you want to exercise, you need comfortable clothes.) - 성공하려면 노력이 필요해요.
(If you want to succeed, you need to make an effort.) - 좋은 성적을 받으려면 열심히 공부해야 해요.
(If you want good grades, you have to study hard.) - 외국어를 배우려면 꾸준히 연습해야 해요.
(If you want to learn a foreign language, you must practice consistently.)
2) ‘-(으)려고 (하다)’: To intend to / Try to
Examples:
- 오늘 일찍 자려고 해요.
(I’m planning to sleep early today.) - 친구를 만나려고 했어요, 하지만 못 만났어요.
(I tried to meet my friend, but I couldn’t.)
(Also possible: I intended/planned to meet my friend, but I couldn’t.) - 여행을 가려고 비행기표를 예매했어요.
(I bought plane tickets because I’m planning to travel.) - 공부를 열심히 하려고 결심했어요.
(I decided to study hard.) - 한국 문화를 이해하려고 책을 읽고 있어요.
(I’m reading books to understand Korean culture.)
4. Key Points to Remember
- -(으)려면 is used for conditions: “If you want to do X, you must do Y.”
- -(으)려고 (하다) is used for intentions or plans: “I plan to do X” or “in order to do X.”
- Both patterns are only used with verbs.
- Use simple, everyday verbs for practical communication.
5. Practice Exercises
- 한국 요리를 (배우다) _____ 요리 학원에 등록했어요.
(I registered for a cooking class to learn Korean cuisine.) - 서울에 (가다) _____ 기차표를 예약해야 해요.
(You need to book a train ticket if you want to go to Seoul.) - 매일 운동을 (하다) _____ 시간을 만들어야 해요.
(You need to make time if you want to work out every day.) - 회사를 (옮기다) _____ 해요.
(I’m planning to change jobs.) - 그 책을 (이해하다) _____ 다시 읽어야 해요.
(You need to read that book again if you want to understand it.) - 유학을 (가다) _____ 준비하고 있어요.
(I’m preparing to study abroad.) - 돈을 (절약하다) _____ 외식을 줄이고 있어요.
(I’m eating out less to save money.) - 대학에 (들어가다) _____ 성적이 좋아야 해요.
(You need good grades if you want to enter a university.) - 건강해지기 위해 매일 산책을 (하다) _____ 있어요.
(I’m taking a walk every day to become healthier.) - 자격증을 (따다) _____ 열심히 공부 중이에요.
(I’m studying hard to get a certificate.)
6. Answers
- 배우려고
- 가려면
- 하려면
- 옮기려고
- 이해하려면
- 가려고
- 절약하려고
- 들어가려면
- 하려고
- 따려고
7. Common Mistakes and Tips
⚠️ Mistake 1: Mixing conditional and intention forms
Incorrect: 외국어를 배우려고 매일 연습해야 해요. ❌
Correct: 외국어를 배우려면 매일 연습해야 해요. ✅
💡 Tip: Use ‘-(으)려면’ when you are stating what needs to be done to achieve a goal or result.
⚠️ Mistake 2: Using ‘-(으)려고 하다’ with adjectives
Incorrect: 예쁘려고 해요. ❌ (I try to be pretty.)
Correct: 예뻐지려고 해요. ✅ (I try to become pretty.)
💡 Tip: This grammar pattern should only be used with verbs. If you want to use an adjective, change it to a verb form when possible.
⚠️ Mistake 3: Omitting ‘하다’ in ‘-(으)려고 하다’
Incorrect: 오늘 일찍 자려고요. ❌
Correct: 오늘 일찍 자려고 해요. ✅
💡 Tip: Always include the verb ‘하다’ when using this structure to clearly show intention or plan.
Understanding the difference between ‘-(으)려면’ and ‘-(으)려고 (하다)’ helps learners clearly express conditions and intentions in Korean. While they both relate to purpose, one introduces a condition to achieve a goal, and the other states the goal itself. With consistent practice, these forms will become a natural part of your Korean expression.