The Korean grammar pattern ‘-(으)려 하다’ is frequently used in everyday conversations to describe what someone is about to do or thinking of doing. It often appears when people talk about future actions, planned activities, or efforts they’re making. In this guide, you’ll learn how to recognize and correctly use ‘-(으)려 하다’ through clear explanations, easy-to-follow rules, and natural example sentences based on real-life situations.
Contents
1. Definition
‘-(으)려 하다’ means “to intend to,” “to try to,” or “to be about to” in English. It is similar in meaning to “plan to do something” or “attempt to do something.”
It is often used with verbs and sometimes conveys an action that is not yet completed or is in the process of being attempted
2. Form (Structure)
Attach ‘-(으)려 하다’ to the verb stem.
Conjugation Rules Table
| Verb Stem Ending | Rule | Example |
| Ends in a vowel | Add -려 하다 | 가다 (to go) → 가려 하다 (to try to go) |
| Ends in a consonant (except ㄹ) | Add -으려 하다 | 먹다 (to eat) → 먹으려 하다 (to try to eat) |
| Ends in ㄹ | Drop ㄹ + add -려 하다 | 살다 (to live) → 살려 하다 (to try to live) |
3. Meaning & Usage
1. To express intention or plan to do something soon
Often used in more formal or written Korean to express one’s plan or intention.
In everyday spoken Korean, -(으)려고 하다 is generally more common for this meaning.
- 지금 나가려 해요. (I’m planning to go out now.)
- 주말에 여행을 가려 해요. (I’m planning to go on a trip this weekend.)
- 책을 읽으려 했는데 전화가 왔어요. (I was going to read a book, but I got a call.)
- 친구에게 연락하려 했어요. (I was going to contact my friend.)
- 수영을 배우려 해요. (I’m planning to learn to swim.)
2. To express attempt or effort to do something
Used when someone tried or made an effort to perform an action. The attempt may or may not have been successful.
- 말을 하려 했지만 너무 긴장했어요. (I tried to speak, but I was too nervous.)
- 그 문제를 해결하려 했어요. (I tried to solve the problem.)
- 일찍 일어나려 해도 힘들어요. (Even if I try to wake up early, it’s hard.)
- 친구를 도우려 했어요. (I tried to help my friend.)
- 실수하지 않으려 했어요. (I tried not to make a mistake.)
3. To express about to do something (imminent action)
Indicates that an action is just about to happen, or emphasizes the moment just before starting it.
- 버스를 타려 하는데 사람이 많아요. (I’m about to get on the bus, but there are too many people.)
- 자려는데 누가 문을 두드렸어요. (I was about to sleep when someone knocked.)
- 전화하려던 참이에요. (I was just about to call.)
- 출발하려는 순간에 비가 왔어요. (It started raining just as I was about to leave.)
- 쓰레기를 버리려던 참이었어요. (I was just about to take out the trash.)
4. Key Points to Remember
- Only used with verbs — not with adjectives directly.
→ However, it can be used with adjectives that have been converted into action verbs using -아/어지다 (e.g. 건강해지려 해요 “I’m trying to become healthy”, 즐겁게 지내려 해요 “I’m trying to live joyfully”). - Can be conjugated in past, present, or future tenses.
- Can be combined with other expressions like ‘-고 있다’, ‘-던 참이다’, and ‘-다가’ for more nuanced meanings.
- Often confused with ‘-(으)려고 하다’ and ‘-(으)ㄹ 것 같다’, but -(으)려 하다 carries a more formal or written tone, and often a stronger nuance of imminence or a deliberate attempt.
5. Practice Exercises
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of ‘-(으)려 하다’.
- 지금 집에 (가다) ______ .
(I’m planning to go home now.) - 친구를 (만나다) ______ .
(I’m trying to meet my friend.) - 시험을 (보다) ______ 참이에요.
(I was just about to take the exam.) - 문제를 (풀다) ______ .
(I tried to solve the problem.) - 숙제를 (하다) ______ 했는데 전화가 왔어요.
(I was going to do my homework when I got a call.) - 컴퓨터를 (끄다) ______ 순간에 정전이 됐어요.
(Just as I was about to turn off the computer, the power went out.) - 산책을 (나가다) ______ 순간에 비가 왔어요.
(It started raining just as I was about to go for a walk.) - 약을 (먹다) ______ 했는데 물이 없었어요.
(I was trying to take medicine, but there was no water.) - 새로운 프로젝트를 (시작하다) ______ .
(I’m planning to start a new project.) - 운동을 (시작하다) ____________ 했지만 시간도 없고 너무 피곤했어요.
(I tried to start exercising, but I had no time and was too tired.)
6. Answers
- 가려 해요
- 만나려 해요
- 보려던 참이에요
- 풀려 했어요
- 하려
- 끄려는
- 나가려는
- 먹으려
- 시작하려 해요
- 시작하려
7. Common Mistakes and Tips
⚠️ Mistake 1: Using with adjectives
Incorrect: 건강하려 해요. ❌ (I try to be healthy.)
Correct: 건강해지려 해요. ✅ (I try to become healthy.)
💡 Tip: ‘-(으)려 하다’ is only used with verbs. If you want to use it with a descriptive verb (adjective), change it into an action verb form such as ‘-아/어지다’ (건강하다 → 건강해지다) or a process/action verb like ‘기뻐하다’.
⚠️ Mistake 2: Confusing with ‘-(으)려고 하다’
Incorrect: 먹으려고 계획이에요. ❌ (Planning to eat.)
Correct: 먹으려 해요. ✅ (Planning to eat.)
💡 Tip: Both ‘-(으)려 하다’ and ‘-(으)려고 하다’ can express intention, but:
- -(으)려 하다 → slightly more formal/written, focuses on the plan or imminent action.
- -(으)려고 하다 → more common in spoken Korean, often highlights the purpose or reason.
Avoid combining these patterns redundantly with nouns like ‘계획’ (e.g., “먹으려고 계획이에요” is unnecessary repetition).
⚠️ Mistake 3: Using with completed actions
Incorrect: 벌써 가려 해요. ❌ (He must have already gone.)
Correct: 벌써 간 것 같아요. ✅ (I think he already left.)
💡 Tip: ‘-(으)려 하다’ is for planned or imminent actions, not for actions already completed. Do not use it with adverbs of completion like ‘벌써’ or ‘이미’ to indicate something has happened — use expressions for conjecture or completion instead.
The grammar pattern ‘-(으)려 하다’ is essential for expressing plans, intentions, and attempts in Korean. It’s commonly used in both spoken and written Korean and helps convey not only future plans but also a sense of effort or imminence. Mastering this pattern will allow learners to express themselves more naturally and accurately.