-(으)려고
In Order to, So That
-려고 is attached to a verb to show the 'why' or 'purpose' of an action. It's like saying 'in order to' or 'with the intention of'.
How It Works
-(으)려고 is a crucial connector for expressing intention. It links a goal with the action performed to reach that goal. The basic structure is: [Intended Action Verb]-(으)려고 [Action Taken].
A key rule is that the subject of the first clause (the intention) and the second clause (the action) must be the same person or group. For example, 'I intended to study, so I went to the library.'
Another important rule is that the second clause cannot be a command (like -으세요) or a suggestion (like -ㄹ까요? or -ㅂ시다). It must be a declarative or interrogative sentence describing what the subject did, does, or will do.
Comparison with similar patterns:
- vs. -러: -러 is used specifically to state the purpose of coming or going. If the second verb is 가다 (to go), 오다 (to come), or another verb of movement, -러 is more natural. -(으)려고 is more general and can be used with any verb in the second clause.
- vs. -기 위해서: -기 위해서 also means 'in order to' but is more formal and often used in writing. It can also be used when the subjects of the two clauses are different, unlike -(으)려고.
This pattern is also the foundation for the common expression -려고 하다, which means 'to plan to' or 'to intend to'.
Examples (4)
- 한국어를 배우려고 한국에 왔어요.
I came to Korea in order to learn Korean.
Word by Word: Korean language to learn Korea to came.
- 책을 읽으려고 도서관에 갔어요.
I went to the library to read a book.
Word by Word: Book to read library to went.
- 친구를 만들려고 동아리에 가입했어요.
I joined a club in order to make friends.
Word by Word: Friend to make club to joined.
- 살을 빼려고 매일 운동하고 있어요.
I am exercising every day in order to lose weight.
Word by Word: Weight to lose every day am exercising.
Common Mistakes
Using -(으)려고 with commands or suggestions.
Not Quite영화를 보려고 같이 가세요.Better영화를 보러 같이 가요.The clause following -(으)려고 cannot be a command (-으세요) or a suggestion (-ㅂ시다, -ㄹ까요). It must be a statement about an action. To make a suggestion, you can use -러 or rephrase the sentence with -려면 (If you intend to...).
Using -려고 instead of the more natural -러 with movement verbs.
Different Meaning점심을 먹으려고 식당에 가요.Better점심을 먹으러 식당에 가요.While using -려고 with movement verbs like 가다 or 오다 is not grammatically incorrect, it sounds much more natural to use -러 to state the purpose of going or coming somewhere. Consider this a point of natural phrasing rather than a strict grammatical error.
Learn This First
To express 'in order to', you need to understand verb conjugation.
Related Patterns
- -(으)러 가다/오다Go/come to Do
Both express purpose. However, -러 is specifically used when the action taken is a verb of movement (like 'go' or 'come'), while -려고 is more general and can be used with any action verb.
- -(으)려고 하다Intend to, Plan to
This is a set phrase that combines -려고 with 하다. It focuses on the intention or plan itself ('I plan to...', 'I intend to...'), rather than connecting the intention to a subsequent action.
- -기 위해서For the Sake of, In Order to
-기 위해서 is a more formal alternative to -려고. It's often used in writing or speeches. Unlike -려고, it can be used when the subjects of the two connected clauses are different.
- -기 때문에Because
While -려고 expresses purpose (the intention for an action), -기 때문에 expresses a reason or cause (why something happened). Purpose is forward-looking (intention), while reason is backward-looking (cause).
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.