Core Grammar Rule: -(으)려고 해요
This pattern is used to express the speaker's intention or plan to do something in the near future. It's similar to saying "I plan to..." or "I intend to..." in English.
Meaning & Usage
Meaning: It attaches to a verb stem to indicate a future plan or intention. It focuses on the speaker's will or decision to perform an action.
When to use: Use it when talking about your personal plans for the weekend, a vacation, or goals you've set for yourself. It's very common in everyday conversation when discussing future activities.
Conjugation Rules
Verb stem ends in a vowel or ㄹ: Add -려고 해요.
가다 (to go) → 가려고 해요 (I plan to go).
만들다 (to make) → 만들려고 해요 (I plan to make).
Verb stem ends in a consonant (except ㄹ): Add -으려고 해요.
먹다 (to eat) → 먹으려고 해요 (I plan to eat).
읽다 (to read) → 읽으려고 해요 (I plan to read).
Vowel/ㄹ: ~려고 해요 / Consonant: ~으려고 해요
Common Combinations with -기 전에
The pattern '-기 전에' means 'before doing (verb)' and is extremely useful for sequencing your plans and daily activities.
Planning Your Day
Context: You can use it to describe your daily routines in order. It helps clarify the sequence of actions you need to take.
Example: 회사에 가기 전에 운동을 해요. (I exercise before going to work.)
Giving Instructions or Reminders
Context: It's often used to remind someone (or yourself) to do something before a main event. It's very common in family conversations, like in the second dialogue.
Example: 자기 전에 약을 먹는 것을 잊지 마세요. (Don't forget to take your medicine before you sleep.)
자기 전에: Before sleeping / 먹기 전에: Before eating
Intention vs. Future: -(으)려고 해요 vs. -(으)ㄹ 거예요
While both -(으)려고 해요 and -(으)ㄹ 거예요 refer to the future, they carry different nuances. -(으)려고 해요 highlights an intention or a plan, whereas -(으)ㄹ 거예요 is a more general statement about a future action.
Using -(으)려고 해요 (Intention)
Use this to emphasize that you have a specific plan or have made a decision to do something.
It often sounds like you've given the action some thought.
Example from dialogue: 저는 아르바이트를 좀 하려고 해요. (I'm planning to work a part-time job.) This shows it's Junho's decided plan.
Using -(으)ㄹ 거예요 (Future Action)
Use this for a more direct statement about what will happen. It can sound more certain or like a simple fact about the future.
It can also be used for assumptions or predictions.
If Junho had said 아르바이트를 할 거예요, it would mean "I will work a part-time job," which is also correct but focuses less on the 'planning' aspect.
아르바이트를 하려고 해요 / 고향에 가려고 해요
Reacting to Someone's Plans
When someone tells you their plans using -(으)려고 해요, it's polite to show interest and wish them well. Here are some common and positive ways to respond, as seen in the dialogue.
Show Positive Interest
Use these expressions to show you think their plan is nice or fun. This encourages conversation.
좋겠네요. (That sounds nice. / That must be nice.)
재미있겠어요. (That sounds fun. / That must be fun.)
Wish Them Well
After showing interest, you can offer a simple, kind wish for their plan to succeed.
For travel: 여행 잘 다녀오세요. (Have a great trip.)
For other goals: 아르바이트 잘 구하세요. (I hope you find a good part-time job.)
좋겠네요 / 재미있겠어요 / 여행 잘 다녀오세요
Politeness & Formality
The ending of '-(으)려고 하다' changes depending on who you are talking to, making your speech sound more polite or more casual.
Polite Form: -(으)려고 해요
Context: This is the standard polite form you should use with people you don't know well, colleagues, teachers, or anyone older than you. It's safe to use in most daily situations.
Example: 주말에 영화를 보려고 해요. (I plan to watch a movie on the weekend.)
Casual Form: -(으)려고 해
Context: This form is used with close friends, younger siblings, or people you are very familiar with. Using this with a stranger or someone older would be considered rude. It creates a friendly and intimate tone.
Polite: 영화를 보려고 해요 / Casual: 영화를 보려고 해