Many Korean learners struggle with the difference between ‘-게 하다’ and ‘-도록 하다’. Both grammar patterns are used to express making someone do something or ensuring an action happens, but they are used in slightly different contexts. In this post, you’ll learn how to use ‘-게 하다’ vs. ‘-도록 하다’ in Korean through clear explanations and real-life examples.
Contents
1. Definition
‘-게 하다’ means “to make/let someone do something” or “to make something/someone become a certain way.”
- With verbs: “make/let someone do something” (make/let + someone + verb)
- With adjectives: “make something/someone become (adjective)” (make + someone/something + adjective)
‘-도록 하다’ means “to ensure/make sure someone does something” or “so that something is done.” It is used to express purpose, intention, or instruction. In English, it corresponds to “make sure to,” “so that,” or “in order to.”
2. Form (Structure)
-게 하다: verb/adjective stem + 게 하다
-도록 하다: verb stem + 도록 하다
Form Table
| Expression | Structure | English Equivalent | Example |
| -게 하다 | verb/adjective stem + 게 하다 | make/let someone do/make adj. | 기쁘게 하다 (make someone happy) |
| -도록 하다 | verb stem + 도록 하다 | make sure to/so that | 잊도록 하다 (make sure someone forgets) |
3. Meaning & Usage
1. ‘-게 하다’ with Verbs (Causative: make/let someone do)
- 엄마가 아이를 울게 했어요. (Mom made the child cry.)
- 선생님이 학생을 많이 웃게 했어요. (The teacher made the students laugh a lot.)
- 그는 나를 기다리게 했어요. (He made me wait.)
- 저는 아이가 스스로 하게 했어요. (I let the child do it on their own.)
- 친구가 저를 도와주게 했어요. (My friend let me help.)
2. ‘-게 하다’ with Adjectives (Causative: make something/someone become [adjective])
- 그 소식이 저를 슬프게 했어요. (The news made me sad.)
- 이 영화가 저를 행복하게 했어요. (This movie made me happy.)
- 날씨가 기분을 좋게 해요. (The weather makes me feel good.)
- 그의 말이 저를 화나게 했어요. (His words made me angry.)
- 음악이 방을 조용하게 만들었어요. (The music made the room quiet.)
3. ‘-도록 하다’ (Purpose/Intention: so that/make sure to)
- 의사가 하루에 세 번 약을 먹도록 했어요. (The doctor told me to take the medicine three times a day.)
- 저는 아이가 일찍 자도록 했어요. (I made sure the child went to bed early.)
- 선생님이 학생들에게 조용히 하도록 했어요. (The teacher asked the students to be quiet.)
- 친구가 제가 포기하지 않도록 도와줬어요. (My friend helped me not to give up.)
- 직원들이 실수하지 않도록 안내했어요. (I gave instructions so that the staff wouldn’t make mistakes.)
4. Key Points to Remember
- ‘-게 하다’ can be used with both verbs and adjectives for direct causation or to make someone/something become a certain way.
- ‘-도록 하다’ is used only with verbs, for instructions, recommendations, or ensuring a purpose or result.
- ‘-도록 하다’ is often more formal and polite, suitable for instructions or professional contexts.
5. Practice Exercises
Fill in the blanks with either ‘-게 하다’ or ‘-도록 하다’. (English translation provided in parentheses)
- 그 소식이 저를 _________.
(The news made me sad.) - 엄마는 아이가 방을 깨끗하게 _________.
(Mom had the child clean the room.) - 저는 아이가 매일 일기를 _________.
(I make sure the child writes a diary every day.) - 친구가 저를 _________.
(My friend made me laugh.) - 날씨가 기분을 _________.
(The weather made me feel good.) - 저는 아이가 TV를 오래 _________ 말했어요.
(I told the child not to watch TV for too long.) - 회사는 실수가 없도록 _________.
(The company ensures no mistakes are made.) - 선생님은 학생들이 숙제를 _________.
(The teacher makes the students do homework.) - 음악이 방을 _________만들었어요.
(The music made the room quiet.) - 의사가 제가 술을 _________조언했어요.
(The doctor advised me not to drink.)
6. Answers
- 슬프게 했어요
- 청소하게 했어요
- 쓰도록 했어요
- 웃게 했어요
- 좋게 했어요
- 보지 않도록
- 주의하도록 했어요
- 하게 했어요
- 조용하게
- 마시지 않도록
7. Common Mistakes and Tips
⚠️ Mistake 1: Using ‘-도록 하다’ with adjectives
Incorrect: 그 소식이 저를 슬프도록 했어요. ❌ (The news made me sad.)
Correct: 그 소식이 저를 슬프게 했어요. ✅ (The news made me sad.)
💡 Tip: Use ‘-게 하다’ with adjectives to express “make someone/something (adjective).”
⚠️ Mistake 2: Using ‘-게 하다’ for general instructions or recommendations
Incorrect: 의사가 약을 먹게 했어요. ❌ (The doctor made me take medicine.)
Correct: 의사가 약을 먹도록 했어요. ✅ (The doctor told me to take medicine.)
💡 Tip: Use ‘-도록 하다’ for instructions, advice, or recommendations.
⚠️ Mistake 3: Mixing the two in formal writing or reports
Incorrect: 직원들이 실수를 하지 않게 했습니다. ❌ (The staff were made not to make mistakes.)
Correct: 직원들이 실수하지 않도록 했습니다. ✅ (It was ensured that the staff did not make mistakes.)
💡 Tip: ‘-도록 하다’ is more formal and suitable for professional or instructional contexts.
By understanding the difference between ‘-게 하다’ and ‘-도록 하다’, and knowing that ‘-게 하다’ can be used with both verbs and adjectives, learners can express causation and purpose more accurately and naturally in Korean. Practice with real-life examples and be mindful of common mistakes to use these patterns confidently in various situations.