Learning grammar is one of the most difficult things for Korean language learners. On this blog, we will help you learn Korean grammar in the quickest and easiest way possible. This blog will be helpful for those who are studying Korean and want to improve their grammar skills.
Today, we’ll see how to form sentences with the grammar pattern “Verb + (으)려고 + Verb” with some example sentences.
"(으)려고" is added after the verb stem to indicate the speaker's motive, intention, or purpose behind doing something.
It is a connective ending used when the speaker intends or desires to do something.
It has a similar usage to Verb + (으)러, but unlike (으)러—which is only used with motion verbs like 가다, 오다, 다니다—Verb + (으)려고 can be used with any verb.
While V + (으)러 can only be followed by 가다, 오다, or 다니다, Verb + (으)려고 is more universal and can be used with all kinds of verbs. It also implies a stronger intention or purpose than V + (으)러.
Let's look at some examples to understand the concept of Verb 1 + (으)려고 Verb 2 grammar pattern.
- 오늘은 한국 음식을 먹으려고 식당에 가요.
Today, I’ll go to a restaurant to eat Korean food.
Here, the speaker will go to the restaurant in order to eat Korean food.
It indicates the speaker's intention of going to the Korean restaurant.
- 한국 친구를 사귀려고 한국어를 배우고 있어요.
I’m learning Korean to make Korean friends.
Here, the speaker is learning Korean in order to make Korean friends.
It indicates the speaker's intention of learning Korean.
How to conjugate " (으)려고 " grammar pattern?
Case 1: Verb stem ends with a consonant (e.g., 먹다 “to eat”, 받다 “to receive”)
- Remove 다 from the verb stem and add 으려고.
- Example:
- 먹다 - 먹으려고
- 먹으려고 갑시다. → Let’s go in order to eat.
Case 2: Verb stem ends with a vowel (e.g., 사다 “to buy”, 배우다 “to learn”)
- Remove 다 from the verb stem and add 려고.
- Example:
- 사다 - 사려고
- 사려고 시장에 가. - Go to the market to buy [it].
- 힌디어를 배우려고 인도에 갔다. - I went to India to learn Hindi.
Case 3: Verb stem ends with ㄹ (e.g., 놀다 “to play”)
- Remove 다 from the verb stem and add 려고.
- Example:
- 놀다 - 놀려고
- 그녀는 내 장난감을 가지고 놀려고 내 방으로 계속 와. - She keeps coming into my room to play with my toys.
Case 4: Verb stem ends with 하 (e.g., 공부하다 “to study”)
Remove 다 from the 하 verb stem and add 려고.
Example:
공부하다 - 공부하려고
그는 외국에서 공부하려고 생각하고 있다. - He is thinking of studying abroad.
So the verbs changes from,
- 가다 - 가려고
- 주다 - 주려고
- 가져가다 - 가져가려고
- 검사하다 - 검사하려고
- 놀다 - 놀려고
- 먹다 - 먹으려고
- 벌다 - 벌려고
EXAMPLE SENTENCES
Let's look at the example.
잠시 후에 우리는 다시 놀려고 밖으로 나갔어요.
A little later, we went outside to play again.
- 놀 - play
- 려고 - in order to
- 밖으로 - outside
- 나갔어요 - went
The speaker is given the reason or expressing his intention behind doing something. In this case, in order to play he went outside.
- TOPIK 시험을 합격하려고 열심히 공부하고 있어요.
I am studying hard in order to pass the TOPIK exam
The speaker’s intention was to pass the TOPIK exam, so they are studying hard.
2. 드라마를 보려고 숙제를 빨리 했어요.
I did my homework quickly so that I could watch the drama.
The speaker’s intention for doing the homework quickly was to watch the drama.
Similarly examples,
3. 그는 위험한 동물에 너무 가까이 다가가려고 노력하다가 죽었다.
He died while trying to get too close to a dangerous animal.
4. 그는 5마일을 달리려고 시도했지만 할 수 없었다.
He tried to run five miles, but couldn’t.
5. 대답하려고 손을 들어.
Raise your hand to answer.
6. 난 너를 도와주려고 여기 있는 거야.
I’m here to help you.
Rule 1) :
It is used in declarative sentences only and never in imperative or requesting sentences.
Eg :
- 사람들이 막 떠나려고 한다.
- The people are about to leave.
- 넌 내가 이걸 하는 걸 도와주려고 했었어. 기억나?
- You were going to help me with this. Remember?
Rule 2) :
(으)려고 / (으)려고요 can used as the ending of any declarative sentence.
Eg : 한국 왜 가고 싶었다고요?
Why did you want to go to Korea?
한국어를 공부하려고요.
In order to study Korean.
A: 지금 뭐 하는 거예요?
B: 도와주려고요.
A: What are you trying to do?
A: I am trying to help.
Related Korean grammar posts :
To understand TOPIK Test structure, application process, Levels and Passing scores etc. check these pages:
- TOPIK – The Complete Guide & 2. TOPIK Levels and Passing Marks. You can also Practice Online with TOPIK GUIDE Mock Tests.
If you are going to take the TOPIK Test for the first time, or if you want to give your score a boost so that you can pass a higher level, we would strongly advise you to get the Complete Guide to TOPIK – Self-Study Package. It is a digital study package that has everything you need to get a great score in the TOPIK test – all the past TOPIK papers with answer sheets, grammar and vocabulary study material, video tutorials explaining the test structure, strategies to solve them and much more. You can check out more details about this study package HERE.
Learning Korean can be tricky, especially when the goal of your learning is conversation. If you’ve ever attempted to speak Korean but were unable to, then hopefully you’ll find this post helpful.
Thank you for reading. If you have any questions or suggestions. Comment down below.
