If you’re learning Korean and want to express purpose or intention, the grammar pattern ‘-(으)려고’ is essential. Common in everyday conversation, this structure is used to show why someone does something—similar to “in order to” or “to try to” in English. In this post, you’ll learn how to use ‘-(으)려고’ naturally with practical examples, easy-to-understand explanations, and helpful tips for avoiding common mistakes.
Contents
1. Definition
The pattern ‘-(으)려고’ is attached to a verb to indicate why someone does something — their intention or goal.
English equivalent: “in order to”, “for the purpose of”, “to try to”
📍 Note: This grammar pattern is different from ‘-(으)려고 하다’, which is used to express someone’s intention or attempt to do something.
- ‘-(으)려고’ simply shows purpose,
- while ‘-(으)려고 하다’ often describes the act of planning or trying to do something.
👉 ‘-(으)려고 하다’ – Used to express intention or an attempt to do something, often implying planning or trying.
Read the full guide →
2. Form (Structure)
It attaches to verb stems only, and the ending varies depending on whether the verb stem ends in a consonant or vowel.
Structure:
- Verb stem + 으려고: if the verb stem ends in a consonant
- Verb stem + 려고: if the verb stem ends in a vowel or ends in the consonant ㄹ
Form Table
| Rule | + 으려고 / 려고 | Example |
| Ends in consonant | + 으려교 | 먹다 (to eat) → 먹으려고 (in order to eat) |
| Ends in vowel | +려고 | 가다 (to go) → 가려고 (in order to go) |
| Ends in ㄹ | +려고 | 만들다 (to make) → 만들려고 (in order to make) |
3. Meaning & Usage
1. Expressing intention to do something
This usage shows the purpose or intention behind an action. ‘-(으)려고’ is used when someone does something with a specific goal or reason in mind.
- 운동하려고 일찍 일어났어요. (I woke up early to exercise.)
- 공부하려고 도서관에 갔어요. (I went to the library to study.)
- 친구를 만나려고 밖에 나갔어요. (I went outside to meet a friend.)
- 한국어를 배우려고 학원에 등록했어요. (I enrolled in an academy to learn Korean.)
- 요리하려고 시장에서 재료를 샀어요.(I bought ingredients at the market to cook.)
2. Showing planned actions or attempts
This usage expresses someone’s effort or attempt to do something, or a plan that is being made.
- 문제를 해결하려고 노력했어요. (I tried to solve the problem.)
- 일찍 자려고 했는데 잠이 안 왔어요. (I tried to sleep early, but I couldn’t.)
- 조용히 하려고 했어요. (I tried to be quiet.)
- 쉬려고 집에 왔어요. (I came home to rest.)
- 운동을 시작하려고 해요. (I’m trying to start exercising.)
3. ‘-(으)려고 하다’ to say “about to do” or “trying to do”
This form is often used to talk about actions that are about to happen soon or someone’s intention to do something in the near future.
- 지금 밥을 먹으려고 해요. (I’m about to eat now.)
- 나가려고 해요. (I’m about to go out.)
- 전화하려고 했어요.(I was about to call.)
- 이야기하려고 해요.(I’m trying to talk.)
- 사려고 했어요.(I was trying to buy it.)
4. Key Points to Remember
- Only verbs can be used with ‘-(으)려고’.
- It expresses purpose, intent, or effort.
- Often used with ‘하다’ to show future or present plans.
- Cannot be used with imperative or propositive forms.
- Not used with adjectives.
5. Practice Exercises
Fill in the blanks using the correct form of ‘-(으)려고’:
- 책을 ________ 도서관에 갔어요. (I went to the library to read a book.)
- 운동을 ________ 체육관에 갔어요. (I went to the gym to exercise.)
- 저녁을 ________ 시장에 갔어요. (I went to the market to cook dinner.)
- 한국어를 ________ 유튜브를 봤어요. (I watched YouTube to learn Korean.)
- 친구를 ________ 카페에 갔어요. (I went to a cafe to meet a friend.)
- 공부를 ________ 방에 들어갔어요. (I went into the room to study.)
- 휴대폰을 ________ 가게에 갔어요. (I went to the store to buy a phone.)
- 사진을 ________ 공원에 갔어요. (I went to the park to take pictures.)
- 운동화(를) ________ 백화점에 갔어요. (I went to the department store to buy sneakers.)
- 이메일을 ________ 컴퓨터를 켰어요. (I turned on the computer to send an email.)
6. Answers
- 읽으려고
- 하려고
- 만들려고
- 배우려고
- 만나려고
- 하려고
- 사려고
- 찍으려고
- 사려고
- 보내려고
7. Common Mistakes and Tips
⚠️ Mistake 1: Using adjectives with ‘-(으)려고’
Incorrect: 예쁘려고 화장을 했어요. ❌ (I put on makeup to be pretty.)
Correct: 예뻐 보이려고 화장을 했어요. ✅ (I put on makeup to look pretty.)
💡 Tip: ‘-(으)려고’ is only used with verbs, not adjectives. If you want to express an adjective meaning, use a related verb form.
⚠️ Mistake 2: Using ‘-(으)려고’ with imperative or propositive forms
Incorrect: 조용히 하려고 하세요. ❌ (Be quiet to…)
Correct: 조용히 하세요. ✅ (Please be quiet.)
💡 Tip: ‘-(으)려고’ cannot be used in imperative or propositive sentences because it expresses the speaker’s intention or purpose, not a command or suggestion.
⚠️ Mistake 3: Forgetting to use ‘-으려고’ after consonants (except ‘ㄹ’)
Incorrect: 먹려고 아침을 준비했어요. ❌ (I prepared breakfast to eat.)
Correct: 먹으려고 아침을 준비했어요. ✅ (I prepared breakfast to eat.)
💡 Tip: Always use ‘-으려고’ after verb stems ending in a consonant (except ‘ㄹ’). Use ‘-려고’ after vowels or ‘ㄹ’.
The Korean grammar pattern ‘-(으)려고’ is a fundamental expression used to talk about one’s purpose or intention. As a beginner-level structure, it helps learners build meaningful and goal-oriented sentences in daily life. Mastering this pattern will allow you to better explain your plans, reasons, and actions in Korean conversations.