-기 위해
In Order to, For the Purpose of
-기 위해 is attached to a verb stem to show the reason or purpose for doing something. It translates to 'in order to (do something)' or 'for the purpose of (doing something)'.
How It Works
-기 위해 is a key pattern for expressing purpose and intention in Korean. It clearly links an action to its intended outcome.
Formation:
1. Verbs: Take the verb stem (remove -다) and add -기 위해. The particle 서 can be added to make -기 위해서, with no change in meaning. 서 is often omitted in speech.
• 먹다 (to eat) → 먹기 위해(서)
• 가다 (to go) → 가기 위해(서)
2. Nouns: For nouns, you use the pattern Noun + 을/를 위해(서).
• 건강 (health) → 건강을 위해(서)
• 가족 (family) → 가족을 위해(서)
Usage:
This pattern is common in both written and spoken Korean, though it can sound slightly formal. In casual conversation, other patterns like -려고 or -러 are often used. The main clause can be in any tense (past, present, or future), but the verb in the -기 위해 clause is always in its base form.
-기 위해 is normally used with action verbs, and the main clause says what you do on purpose. With an adjective, say what you will become instead: 행복해지기 위해 (in order to become happy).
For example, in the sentence "한국어를 배우기 위해 한국에 왔어요" (I came to Korea to learn Korean), the purpose is 'to learn Korean' (한국어를 배우기 위해), and the action taken is 'came to Korea' (한국에 왔어요).
Examples (5)
- 한국어를 배우기 위해 한국에 왔어요.
I came to Korea in order to learn Korean.
Word by Word: Korean language to learn for the purpose of to Korea came.
- 건강을 위해 매일 운동해요.
I exercise every day for my health.
Word by Word: Health for every day I exercise.
This example shows the pattern used with a noun (건강 - health), becoming -을/를 위해.
- 돈을 벌기 위해서 열심히 일하고 있어요.
I am working hard in order to earn money.
Word by Word: Money to earn for the purpose of diligently am working.
Here, -기 위해서 is used, which has the same meaning as -기 위해.
- 좋은 대학에 가기 위해 밤새 공부했어요.
I studied all night in order to get into a good university.
Word by Word: Good university to go for the purpose of all night studied.
- 시험에 합격하기 위해 최선을 다할 거예요.
I will do my best to pass the exam.
Word by Word: Exam in to pass for the purpose of my best will do.
Common Mistakes
Confusing purpose (-기 위해) with cause (-기 때문에).
Not Quite비가 오기 위해 우산을 가져왔어요.Better비를 맞지 않기 위해 우산을 가져왔어요.The incorrect sentence means 'I brought an umbrella in order for it to rain', which is illogical. -기 위해 expresses a purpose you want to achieve. The correct sentence uses the negative form (-지 않기 위해) to mean 'in order not to get wet from the rain'. If you want to state the cause, you should use -기 때문에: '비가 오기 때문에 우산을 가져왔어요' (I brought an umbrella because it's raining).
Using -기 위해 with a state instead of an action.
Not Quite돈이 많기 위해 열심히 일해요.Better돈을 많이 벌기 위해 열심히 일해요.-기 위해 is normally used with action verbs. 많다 (to be many) describes a state, so name an action such as 벌다 (to earn). To say 'in order to become happy', start from 행복해지다 (to become happy) and say 행복해지기 위해.
Learn This First
To express purpose with -기 위해, you first need to understand the -기 nominalizer.
Related Patterns
- -(으)려고In Order to, So That
Both express intention ('in order to'). -기 위해 is generally more formal and emphasizes the purpose more strongly. -려고 is more common in casual conversation.
- -(으)러In Order to
Also means 'in order to', but -러 is specifically used when the main verb is a verb of movement, like 가다 (to go) or 오다 (to come). -기 위해 can be used with any verb in the main clause.
- -기 때문에Because
This is a point of contrast. -기 위해 expresses a future purpose or goal, while -기 때문에 expresses a present or past cause or reason.