Understanding how to express intention and purpose in Korean is essential for building natural sentences. Two common patterns that learners often encounter are ‘-(으)려고 하다’ and ‘-(으)려고’. Although they look similar, they have different meanings and functions. This guide will help you clearly distinguish between the two and use them correctly in daily conversation.
Contents
1. Definition
- ‘-(으)려고 하다’: This pattern means “intend to” or “plan to” in English. It expresses the subject’s intention or future action.
- ‘-(으)려고’: This is a connector meaning “in order to” or “so that,” and is used to show the purpose of the following action.
2. Form (Structure)
How to Attach
- If the verb stem ends with a vowel:
Use -려고 하다 / -려고 - If the verb stem ends with a consonant (except ㄹ):
Use -으려고 하다 / -으려고 - If the verb stem ends with ㄹ:
Use -려고 하다 / -려고
(Do not add ‘으’; treat it like a vowel-ending verb.)
| Verb Stem Ending | Form | Example | English |
| No final consonant | -려고 하다 / -려고 | 가다 → 가려고 하다 | to intend to go |
| – | – | 가다 → 가려고 | in order to go |
| Final consonant (not ㄹ) | -으려고 하다 / -으려고 | 먹다 → 먹으려고 하다 | to intend to eat |
| – | – | 먹다 → 먹으려고 | in order to eat |
| Final consonant ㄹ | -려고 하다 / -려고 | 만들다 → 만들려고 하다 | to intend to make |
| – | – | 만들다 → 만들려고 | in order to make |
| – | – | 살다 → 살려고 하다 | to intend to live |
| – | – | 살다 → 살려고 | in order to live |
3. Meaning & Usage
‘-(으)려고 하다’: Expressing Intention or Plan
‘-(으)려고 하다’ is used to express the subject’s intention, plan, or attempt. This form can be used independently as a complete sentence and often refers to a decision the speaker is considering, planning, or about to act on.
Examples (-(으)려고 하다):
- 주말에 여행을 가려고 해요.
(I plan to go on a trip this weekend.) - 이제 운동을 시작하려고 합니다.
(I intend to start exercising now.) - 친구한테 연락하려고 했어요.
(I was going to contact my friend.) - 오늘 저녁은 집에서 먹으려고 해요.
(I’m planning to eat at home tonight.) - 그 책을 다시 읽어보려고 해요.
(I’m thinking of reading that book again.)
‘-(으)려고’: Expressing Purpose
‘-(으)려고’ is used to indicate the purpose of an action. It is a connective grammar form that must be followed by another verb. The first action is done in order to accomplish the second action. ‘-(으)려고’ cannot be used at the end of a sentence.
Examples (-(으)려고)
- 책을 사려고 서점에 갔어요.
(I went to the bookstore to buy a book.) - 친구를 도와주려고 일찍 왔어요.
(I came early to help my friend.) - 사진을 찍으려고 카메라를 챙겼어요.
(I packed the camera to take pictures.) - 한국어를 배우려고 한국에 왔어요.
(I came to Korea to learn Korean.) - 건강해지려고 매일 운동해요.
(I exercise every day to stay healthy.)
4. Key Points to Remember
- ‘-(으)려고 하다’ focuses on the subject’s intention or plan (usually the speaker or writer).
- ‘-(으)려고’ expresses the reason or purpose for the following action and must connect two verbs.
- Only verbs can be used with both patterns; adjectives are not allowed.
- ‘-(으)려고’ must always be followed by another verb and cannot be used alone or at the end of a sentence.
- Do not use ‘-(으)려고 하다’ to describe someone else’s intention unless quoting or reporting their words.
5. Practice Exercises
Choose the correct form between ‘-(으)려고 하다’ and ‘-(으)려고’.
- 친구를 _____ 전화했어요. (I called to meet my friend.)
- 내일은 일찍 _____ 해요. (I intend to wake up early tomorrow.)
- 운동을 _____ 해요. (I’m planning to start exercising.)
- 책을 _____ 서점에 갔어요. (I went to the bookstore to read a book.)
- 한국어를 _____ 유학을 갔어요. (I went abroad to study Korean.)
- _____ 했는데 전화가 왔어요. (I was trying to rest, but I got a call.)
- 친구에게 _____ 했지만 못 했어요. (I was planning to tell my friend but couldn’t.)
- 영화를 _____ 표를 샀어요. (I bought a ticket to watch a movie.)
- 외국에서 _____ 준비하고 있어요. (I’m getting ready to work abroad.)
- 저녁을 _____ 마트에 갔어요. (I went to the mart to cook dinner.)
6. Answers
- 만나려고
- 일어나려고
- 시작하려고 하다
- 읽으려고
- 공부하려고
- 쉬려고 하다
- 말하려고 하다
- 보려고
- 일하려고 하다
- 만들려고
7. Common Mistakes and Tips
⚠️ Mistake 1: Using ‘-(으)려고’ alone without a following verb
Incorrect: 친구를 만나려고. ❌ (To meet a friend.)
Correct: 친구를 만나려고 전화했어요. ✅ (I called to meet a friend.)
💡 Tip: ‘-(으)려고’ must be followed by another verb to complete the meaning. It cannot be used at the end of a sentence.
⚠️ Mistake 2: Mixing ‘-(으)려고 하다’ with a second verb incorrectly
Incorrect: 친구를 만나려고 하다 전화했어요. ❌
Correct: 친구를 만나려고 전화했어요. ✅ (I called to meet a friend.)
💡 Tip: Use only ‘-(으)려고’ before another verb. Do not use ‘-(으)려고 하다’ as a connector.
⚠️ Mistake 3: Using adjectives with either pattern
Incorrect: 예쁘려고 해요. ❌ (I try to be pretty.)
Correct: 예뻐지려고 노력해요. ✅ (I try to become pretty.)
💡 Tip: Use only verbs. If you want to use an adjective, change it to a verb form (for example, ‘예뻐지다’ for “to become pretty”).
Understanding the subtle difference between ‘-(으)려고 하다’ and ‘-(으)려고’ is essential for expressing intention and purpose clearly in Korean. One expresses personal plans or attempts, while the other links actions through purpose. By mastering both, learners can express themselves more naturally and fluently in both spoken and written Korean.