If you’re learning Korean and want to express decisions, make polite suggestions, or give instructions naturally, the grammar pattern ‘-도록 하다’ is essential. In this post, you’ll learn how to use ‘-도록 하다’ in Korean conversations, with clear examples and practice to help you understand its meaning and usage.
Contents
1. Definition
‘-도록 하다’ is used to express:
- an intention or decision to do something,
- a suggestion or recommendation, or
- an instruction for someone to do something.
English equivalents include:
“try to…”, “make sure to…”, “let’s…”, “decide to…”, and “have someone do…” depending on context.
2. Form (Structure)
Verb stem + 도록 하다
You conjugate 하다 according to tense and politeness level.
Conjugation Table with Examples
| Verb Type | Verb | Conjugated Form |
| Regular | 공부하다 | 공부하도록 하다 (to make sure to study / try to study) |
| Regular | 먹다 | 먹도록 하다 (to make sure to eat / try to eat) |
| Regular | 돕다 | 돕도록 하다 (to try to help) |
| Negative | 가지 않다 | 가지 않도록 하다 (to make sure not to go / avoid going) |
| Past Tense | 결심하다 | 결심하도록 했다 (made sure to decide / tried to decide) |
3. Meaning & Usage
1. Giving Instructions or Recommendations
Used to politely tell someone to do something or advise them to do so.
- 일찍 자도록 하세요. (Please make sure to sleep early.)
- 건강을 위해 매일 운동하도록 하세요. (Please make sure to exercise daily for your health.)
- 수업에 늦지 않도록 하세요. (Please make sure not to be late for class.)
- 질문이 있으면 바로 말하도록 하세요. (Please make sure to speak up if you have any questions.)
- 조심하도록 하세요. (Please be careful.)
- 약을 꼭 먹도록 하세요. (Please make sure to take your medicine.)
- 숙제를 오늘 안에 끝내도록 하세요. (Please make sure to finish your homework today.)
- 실수하지 않도록 하세요. (Please make sure not to make mistakes.)
📌 Notes: ‘-도록 하세요’ is used in formal or polite situations, such as instructions from teachers, parents, or supervisors. It sounds softer and more respectful than direct commands. The negative form ‘-지 않도록 하세요’ is commonly used to advise avoiding certain actions or mistakes.
2. Expressing Personal Determination or Decision
Used when the speaker expresses their own resolution or decision.
- 앞으로는 실수하지 않도록 하겠습니다. (I’ll make sure not to make mistakes from now on.)
- 이번에는 꼭 합격하도록 할게요. (I’ll make sure to pass this time.)
- 건강을 지키기 위해 채소를 더 먹도록 하겠어요. (I’ll try to eat more vegetables to stay healthy.)
- 다음부터는 시간을 잘 지키도록 하겠습니다. (I’ll make sure to be punctual next time.)
- 더 열심히 하도록 하겠습니다. (I’ll try harder.)
- 앞으로 더 열심히 공부하도록 하겠습니다. (I’ll try to study harder from now on.)
📌 Notes: This form is useful for expressing promises, resolutions, or intentions, especially in formal speeches, interviews, or polite conversations. The ending ‘-도록 하겠습니다’ is more formal and polite, while ‘-도록 할게요’ is slightly more casual and friendly.
3. Making Suggestions or Decisions Together
Often used to suggest doing something, especially in group or polite contexts.
- 회의는 내일 하도록 하죠. (Let’s have the meeting tomorrow.)
- 그 문제는 나중에 이야기하도록 하죠. (Let’s talk about that issue later.)
- 오늘은 일찍 끝내도록 하자. (Let’s finish early today.)
- 점심은 밖에서 먹도록 할까? (Shall we eat lunch outside?)
- 모두 참석하도록 합시다. (Let’s all make sure to attend.)
- 모두가 의견을 말하도록 합시다. (Let’s all make sure to share our opinions.)
📌 Notes: Expressions like ‘-도록 하자’, ‘-도록 하죠’, and ‘-도록 합시다’ are used to make polite suggestions or decisions as a group. They are common in meetings, social gatherings, or when trying to reach consensus. The phrase ‘-도록 할까?’ is used to ask for someone’s opinion or propose an idea.
4. Key Points to Remember
- ‘-도록 하다’ attaches to the verb stem and changes with 하다 conjugation.
- It is used for instructions, personal decisions, or group suggestions.
- Context and subject determine whether it means instruction, intention, or suggestion.
- Mostly used in formal or polite speech.
- Do not confuse with ‘-게 하다’, which is used to make someone do something (causative).
5. Practice Exercises
Fill in the blank with the correct form of ‘-도록 하다’.
- 내일은 일찍 _____________ 하세요.
(Please make sure to wake up early.) - 회의에 _____________ 하겠습니다.
(I’ll make sure not to be late for the meeting.) - 건강을 위해 매일 물을 많이 _____________ 하세요.
(Please make sure to drink plenty of water every day.) - 학생들이 조용히 _____________ 하세요.
(Please make the students stay quiet.) - 다시는 그런 일이 _____________ 하겠습니다.
(I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.) - 숙제를 내일까지 _____________ 하세요.
(Please make sure to finish the homework by tomorrow.) - 너무 _____________하세요.
(Make sure you don’t get too tired.) - 시험 전에 복습을 철저히 _____________.
(Let’s thoroughly review before the test.) - 아이들이 혼자 _____________ 하세요.
(Make sure the kids don’t go alone.) - 중요한 내용은 잊지 않도록 _____________ 하세요.
(Write down important information so you don’t forget.)
6. Answers
- 일어나도록
- 늦지 않도록
- 마시도록
- 하도록
- 없도록
- 끝내도록
- 피곤하지 않도록
- 하도록 하자
- 가지 않도록
- 적도록
7. Common Mistakes and Tips
⚠️ Mistake 1: Using ‘-도록 하다’ in casual speech without adapting formality
Incorrect: 나 내일부터 운동하도록 해. ❌ (I’ll start working out from tomorrow.)
Correct: 내일부터 운동하도록 할게. ✅ (I’ll start working out from tomorrow.)
💡 Tip: When speaking casually, adapt the expression to more natural endings like ‘-할게’, ‘-하자’, or simply use ‘-도록 할게’ to match the tone.
📌 Note: In everyday conversation, native speakers often omit ‘-도록 하다’ entirely and just use the verb with a casual ending, such as ‘운동할게’ or ‘운동하자’, for a more natural sound.
⚠️ Mistake 2: Confusing ‘-도록 하다’ with ‘-게 하다’ (causative)
Incorrect: 엄마가 나를 공부하도록 했어. ❌ (Mom made me study.)
Correct: 엄마가 나를 공부하게 했어. ✅ (Mom made me study.)
💡 Tip: Use ‘-게 하다’ when talking about making someone do something. ‘-도록 하다’ is more about suggestion or resolution, not force.
📌 Note: In English, both sentences translate to “Mom made me study,” but in Korean, ‘-게 하다’ is strictly for causative meaning (making/forcing someone to do something), while ‘-도록 하다’ is used for advice, suggestion, or personal intention.
⚠️ Mistake 3: Using ‘-도록 하다’ with nouns instead of verbs
ncorrect: 회의는 오전 도록 하죠. ❌ (Let’s do the meeting in the morning.)
Correct: 회의는 오전에 하도록 하죠. ✅ (Let’s have the meeting in the morning.)
💡 Tip: This structure must always follow a verb stem. Use a verb that expresses the action clearly.
📌 Note: Be careful with spacing and particles in Korean. ‘오전 도록’ is incorrect because ‘-도록 하다’ should be attached to a verb stem, not a noun or time expression. Always use the appropriate particle and verb, such as ‘오전에 하도록’.
The pattern ‘-도록 하다’ is a versatile grammar structure used to make polite suggestions, give advice, express determination, or even make group decisions. Mastering it will help you speak more naturally in formal and semi-formal contexts.