Core Pattern Rule: -(으)려고 (Intention/Purpose)
This pattern attaches to a verb stem to express the speaker's intention or the purpose for doing the action in the following clause. It's equivalent to "in order to [verb]" or "with the intention of [verb-ing]."
Formation
Verb stems ending in a vowel or ㄹ: Add -려고.
보다 (to see) → 보려고
살다 (to live) → 살려고
만들다 (to make) → 만들려고
Verb stems ending in a consonant (except ㄹ): Add -으려고.
먹다 (to eat) → 먹으려고
찾다 (to find) → 찾으려고
Usage
The clause with -(으)려고 always comes first, stating the goal. The second clause states the action taken to achieve that goal. The tense of the sentence is always indicated by the final verb.
너 주려고 (my intention) + 샀어 (the action I took in the past).
살 빼려고 운동해. / 한국 드라마 보려고 공부해. / 집 사려고 돈 모아.
Synonyms & Differences: -(으)려고 vs. -(으)러
Both -(으)려고 and -(으)러 express purpose, but they are not always interchangeable. The key difference lies in the main verb of the sentence.
-(으)러 (Purpose of Movement)
This pattern is almost exclusively used when the main verb is a verb of movement, such as 가다 (to go), 오다 (to come), or 다니다 (to attend/commute). It states the purpose for going or coming somewhere.
Example: 밥 먹으러 식당에 가요. (I'm going to the restaurant to eat.)
-(으)려고 (General Intention)
This pattern is more versatile and can be used with any action verb in the second clause, not just movement verbs.
Example: 밥 먹으려고 요리해요. (I'm cooking in order to eat.)
When the main verb is a movement verb, both can sometimes be used, but -(으)러 often sounds slightly more natural and direct. For all other verbs, you must use -(으)려고.
친구 만나러 가요. / 친구 만나려고 나가요. / 밥 먹으러 식당에 가요. / 밥 먹으려고 요리해요.