Expression dictionary — full article
Hopes & Resolutions · to decide to, to agree to, to make a resolution to
The Korean grammar pattern -기로 하다 is used to express that a decision or agreement has been made. This decision can be a personal resolution made by oneself, or a mutual agreement reached with another person or group. It signifies a commitment to a particular course of action.
-기로 하다 primarily functions to state a firm decision or commitment regarding a future action. It is commonly used in two main contexts:
This pattern implies that the decision or agreement is finalized and set, often leading to a subsequent action. It carries a stronger sense of commitment than simply stating an intention.
The pattern -기로 하다 attaches directly to the verb stem (or occasionally an adjective stem, though less common for decisions). There are no special rules based on whether the stem ends in a consonant or a vowel.
The '하다' part of the expression then conjugates according to the desired tense, politeness level, and mood.
Examples of conjugated forms:
-기로 하다 emphasizes the act of making a decision or reaching an agreement, rather than just expressing an intention. It implies a sense of finality and commitment to the chosen path. While similar to expressions of intention like -(으)려고 하다, -기로 하다 suggests a more concrete and established plan.
It is often used when recounting a decision that has already been made, hence frequently appearing in past tense forms like -기로 했어요 or -기로 했다. The '하다' component can be replaced by other verbs like '결정하다' (to decide) or '약속하다' (to promise) for added emphasis, though -기로 하다 itself already conveys these meanings effectively. This pattern is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal settings.