The Korean grammar pattern ‘-기 위해서’ is an essential structure for expressing purpose and intention. Learners often encounter ‘-기 위해서’ in both spoken and written contexts when describing goals or reasons behind actions. Mastering ‘-기 위해서’ will help you create more natural and meaningful sentences in Korean.
Contents
1. Definition
The grammar pattern ‘-기 위해서’ is used to express purpose or intention, similar to saying “in order to,” “for the purpose of,” or “so that” in English. It is formed by attaching -기 위해서 to the verb stem. The particle 서 is optional, and you may often see -기 위해 without it, especially in writing. This structure allows you to describe the reason or goal behind an action in a more formal way.
2. Form (Structure)
To form ‘-기 위해서,’ follow these steps:
- Take the verb stem.
- Add ‘-기’ to the verb stem.
- Attach ‘위해서.’
Example Table:
| Verb Stem | Add ‘-기’ | Complete Form |
| 가다 (to go) | 가기 | 가기 위해서 (in order to go) |
| 먹다 (to eat) | 먹기 | 먹기 위해서 (in order to eat) |
| 운동하다 (to exercise) | 운동하기 | 운동하기 위해서 (in order to exercise) |
3. Meaning & Usage
‘-기 위해서’ is used to express purpose or intention clearly in a sentence.
1. Expressing Purpose (Action)
‘-기 위해서’ is commonly used to indicate the purpose of an action.
- 좋은 대학에 가기 위해서 열심히 공부해요. (I study hard in order to get into a good university.)
- 건강을 유지하기 위해서 매일 운동해요. (I exercise every day to stay healthy.)
- 한국어를 배우기 위해서 한국에 왔어요. (I came to Korea to learn Korean.)
- 시험을 잘 보기 위해서 열심히 준비했어요. (I prepared hard to do well on the exam.)
- 돈을 모으기 위해서 아르바이트를 하고 있어요. (I am working part-time to save money.)
2. Expressing Purpose (Nouns)
When referring to a noun, use ‘-을/를 위해서.’ However, this section will focus on the usage of ‘-기 위해서’ with verbs.
(Note: For nouns, ‘-을/를 위해서’ is used, but since this section is about ‘-기 위해서,’ we’ll focus on verb-related examples.)
- However, to illustrate the concept of purpose with nouns, here are some examples using ‘-을/를 위해서’:
- 부모님을 위해서 선물을 샀어요. (I bought a gift for my parents.)
- 친구를 위해서 저녁을 준비했어요. (I prepared dinner for my friend.)
- 회사를 위해서 열심히 일해요. (I work hard for the company.)
- 환경을 위해서 비닐 사용을 줄여요. (I reduce plastic use for the environment.)
- 사회를 위해서 봉사 활동을 해요. (I do volunteer work for society.)
3. Personal Improvement and Goals
‘-기 위해서’ can be used to express efforts towards personal improvement or achieving goals.
- 실력을 향상시키기 위해서 매일 연습해요. (I practice every day to improve my skills.)
- 성공하기 위해서 많은 노력을 해야 해요. (You have to put in a lot of effort in order to succeed.)
- 체력을 기르기 위해서 매일 조깅을 해요. (I jog every day to build stamina.)
- 유학을 가기 위해서 영어를 열심히 공부했어요. (I studied English hard to go abroad for study.)
- 건강한 생활을 하기 위해서 아침을 잘 챙겨요. (I take care of my breakfast to live a healthy life.)
4. Social and Environmental Contributions
This structure can also be used to express actions taken for social or environmental benefits.
- 환경을 보호하기 위해서 재활용을 실천해요. (I practice recycling to protect the environment.)
- 사회를 위해 봉사 활동을 하기 위해서 시간을 내요. (I make time to do volunteer work for society.)
- 지역 사회를 발전시키기 위해서 다양한 프로젝트에 참여해요. (I participate in various projects to develop the local community.)
- 동물 보호를 위해 기부하기 위해서 돈을 모으고 있어요. (I am saving money to donate for animal protection.)
- 자연을 보존하기 위해서 에너지를 절약해요. (I conserve energy to preserve nature.)
5. Daily Life Decisions
‘-기 위해서’ can be used in everyday decisions to express purpose.
- 아침을 먹기 위해서 일찍 일어나요. (I wake up early to eat breakfast.)
- 출근하기 위해서 일찍 준비해요. (I prepare early to go to work.)
- 저녁을 먹기 위해서 식당에 가요. (I go to a restaurant to eat dinner.)
- 영화를 보기 위해서 극장을 방문해요. (I visit the theater to watch a movie.)
- 친구를 만나기 위해서 카페에 가요. (I go to a café to meet a friend.)
4. Key Points to Remember
- Attach -기 위해서 only to verbs, not adjectives.
- For nouns, use 을/를 위해서.
- 서 can be omitted without changing meaning.
- Often used in formal or polite speech.
- Indicates a clear purpose or intention behind an action.
5. Practice Exercises
- 한국어를 ____ 매일 공부해요.
(I study Korean every day in order to learn it.) - 건강을 ____ 매일 운동해요.
(I exercise every day in order to maintain my health.) - 시험을 ____ 열심히 준비했어요.
(I prepared hard for the exam in order to achieve a good score.) - 친구를 ____ 서울에 갔어요.
(I went to Seoul in order to meet my friend.) - 문제를 ____ 전문가와 상담했어요.
(I consulted an expert in order to solve the problem.) - ____ 많은 노력을 했어요.
(I put in a lot of effort in order to succeed.) - 꿈을 ____ 매일 노력해요.
(I work hard every day in order to achieve my dream.) - 체력을 ____ 매일 조깅을 해요.
(I jog every day in order to build stamina.) - 실력을 ____ 매일 연습해요.
(I practice every day in order to enhance my abilities.) - 좋은 직장을 ____ 열심히 일해요.
(I work hard in order to get a good job.)
6. Answers
- 배우기 위하여
- 유지하기 위하여
- 준비하기 위하여
- 만나기 위하여
- 해결하기 위하여
- 성공하기 위하여
- 이루기 위하여
- 기르기 위하여
- 향상시키기 위하여
- 얻기 위하여
7. Common Mistakes and Tips
⚠️ Mistake 1: Using ‘-위해서’ without ‘-기.’
Incorrect: 한국어를 배우위해서 ❌
Correct: 한국어를 배우기 위해서 ✅ (In order to learn Korean)
💡 Tip: Always add ‘-기’ after the verb stem before attaching ‘위해서.’
⚠️ Mistake 2: Applying ‘-기 위해서’ with nouns or adjectives instead of verbs.
Incorrect: 행복한 하기위해서 ❌
Correct: 행복하게 하기 위해서 ✅ (In order to make someone happy)
💡 Tip: Use this structure only with verbs; adjectives require transformation into adverbial forms.
⚠️ Mistake 3: Using ‘-기 위해서’ in casual conversations where simpler expressions are more appropriate.
Incorrect: 너를 사랑하기 위해서 이 노래를 불러. ❌
Correct: 너를 사랑해서 이 노래를 불러. ✅ (I sing this song because I love you.)
💡 Tip: ‘-기 위해서’ sounds formal and is typically used in written or structured speech. For casual conversations, use simpler expressions like ‘-아/어서‘ or ‘-(으)니까.’
‘-기 위해서’ is an essential grammar pattern for expressing purpose and intention in Korean sentences, making it invaluable for learners aiming for fluency.