In order to

This pattern attaches to verbs and nouns to express the purpose or reason for an action. It translates to "in order to (do something)" or "for the sake of (something)."

Formation

With Verbs: Attach -기 위해서 to the verb stem.

만나다 (to meet) → 만나기 위해서 (in order to meet)

사다 (to buy) → 사기 위해서 (in order to buy)

With Nouns: Attach -을/를 위해서 to the noun.

가족 (family) → 가족을 위해서 (for the sake of family)

건강 (health) → 건강을 위해서 (for the sake of health)

Usage

It connects a goal (the clause with -기 위해서) to the action performed to achieve that goal. The action comes in the second part of the sentence.

Goal: 집을 사기 위해 (In order to buy a house)

Action: 저축해. (I save money.)

살기 위해 먹는 거야. / 집을 사기 위해 저축해. / 가족을 위해 요리했어. / 건강을 위해 담배를 끊었어.

This pattern has a few common variations you'll encounter in daily conversation and writing.

Omitting 서

In spoken Korean, it's very common to drop 서 and just say -기 위해 or -을/를 위해. This makes the speech flow more smoothly and is slightly less formal, but the meaning is identical.

살기 위해서 먹는 거야. → 살기 위해 먹는 거야.

Emphatic Form: -기 위해서라면

Adding -(이)라면 creates the meaning "If it's for the sake of..." or "As long as it's to..." This adds a strong, conditional emphasis, suggesting a willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve the goal.

성공하기 위해서라면 뭐든 해요. (If it's to succeed, I'll do anything.)

이기기 위해 연습해. / 널 위해 샀어. / 성공하기 위해서라면 뭐든 해요. / 평화를 위해 기도해.

Korean has several patterns to express purpose, and choosing the right one adds nuance. -기 위해서 is often confused with -으러 and -으려고.