2 · Linking clauses, first steps
In order to, intending to: -(으)려고
the connective of purpose and intention
-(으)려고 names the purpose of any action, and -(으)려고 해요 says what you intend to do.
After a vowel or l the ending is -려고 (보려고, 만들려고), after any other consonant -으려고 (먹으려고, 읽으려고). Irregular stems: 들으려고, 도우려고. In casual speech many people insert an extra l — 먹을려고, 갈려고 — but the standard form has none, and in writing it should not appear.
The first use is purpose, “in order to”, “so as to”: 살을 빼려고 매일 걸어요, “I walk every day to lose weight”. Unlike -(으)러, it works with any main verb, not only with verbs of movement. The person who intends and the person who acts are the same.
The second use is -(으)려고 하다, “intend to, plan to”: 내일부터 운동하려고 해요, “I am planning to start exercising tomorrow”. In the past, -(으)려고 했어요 usually means that the plan did not work out: 전화하려고 했는데 잊어버렸어요, “I meant to ring, but I forgot”.
The purpose clause cannot be followed by a request or a suggestion: for “let’s go and eat” say 먹으러 갑시다. English speakers also tend to translate “want to” as -(으)려고 하다; that is -고 싶다. -(으)려고 하다 is a plan, not a wish.
The form
| after a vowel | 사다 → 사려고 |
| after a consonant | 읽다 → 읽으려고 |
| stem ending in l | 만들다 → 만들려고 |
| an intention | 가려고 해요 |
| meant to, but | 가려고 했는데 |
The rules one by one
The form this topic is about
-려고 after a vowel or l, -으려고 after any other consonant.
살을 빼려고 매일 걸어요.I walk every day to lose weight.
Any verb can follow, not only verbs of movement.
한국 친구와 이야기하려고 한국어를 배워요.I am learning Korean so that I can talk with Korean friends.
-(으)려고 해요 says what you intend or plan.
이번 주말에 집에서 쉬려고 해요.I am planning to rest at home this weekend.
-(으)려고 했어요 often means you meant to but did not.
아침에 운동하려고 했는데 늦잠을 잤어요.I meant to exercise this morning, but I overslept.
The person who intends and the person who acts are the same.
동생은 일찍 일어나려고 알람을 세 개나 맞췄어요.My younger sibling set three alarms so as to get up early.
A closer look
The answer to "why?": -(으)려고요
When someone asks why you are doing something, the answer often keeps only the purpose and closes it with 요: 왜 한국어를 배워요? — 한국에서 일하려고요. The main clause is understood from the question.
The same pattern in the plain past, -(으)려고 했다, can also mean “was about to”: 나가려고 했는데 전화가 왔어요, “I was about to go out when the phone rang”. Which reading is meant comes from the context.
Exceptions and special cases (1)
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the sentence ends in a request, an order or “let’s”
use -(으)러 before 가다 or 오다, or rephrase with -(으)려면.
같이 점심 먹으러 갑시다.Let's go and have lunch together.
-(으)려고 describes the doer’s own intention, and an intention cannot be handed to someone else as an instruction.
How to spot it
- -(으)려고
- -(으)려고 하다
- -(으)려고 했는데
Example sentences
여행을 가려고 돈을 모으고 있어요.I am saving money to go travelling.
감기에 안 걸리려고 손을 자주 씻어요.I wash my hands often so as not to catch a cold.
다음 달에 이사하려고 해요.I am planning to move house next month.
선물을 사려고 백화점에 갔어요.I went to the department store to buy a present.
책을 읽으려고 했는데 너무 졸렸어요.I meant to read, but I was too sleepy.
어머니께 드리려고 꽃을 샀어요.I bought some flowers to give to my mother.
8 more example sentences
시험에 합격하려고 밤늦게까지 공부했어요.I studied until late at night to pass the exam.
사진을 찍으려고 카메라를 가져왔어요.I brought my camera to take photos.
내년에 한국에 유학 가려고 해요.I am planning to go and study in Korea next year.
친구에게 전화하려고 했는데 번호를 잊어버렸어요.I meant to ring my friend, but I had forgotten the number.
건강해지려고 담배를 끊었어요.I gave up smoking to get healthier.
늦지 않으려고 택시를 탔어요.I took a taxi so as not to be late.
오늘 저녁에는 김치찌개를 만들려고 해요.I am going to make kimchi stew this evening.
창문을 열려고 했는데 안 열렸어요.I tried to open the window, but it would not open.
Worth knowing (1)
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Want to or plan to?
-고 싶다 is a wish, -(으)려고 하다 a plan. 한국에 가고 싶어요 can be a dream for some distant day; 한국에 가려고 해요 tells the listener that you have more or less decided.
올해는 꼭 운전을 배우려고 해요.This year I really intend to learn to drive.
The trap English speakers fall into
Watch out
In speech you will often hear an extra l: 일어날려고, 먹을려고. The standard form has none — -려고 goes straight onto a vowel stem and -으려고 onto a consonant stem — and that is the form to write.
Ryeogo works with any verb and means "so as to"; add hada and it becomes a plan.
Your turn
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