So that / To the point of

The pattern -도록 is attached to a verb stem to express one of two main ideas: purpose or extent.

Meaning & Usage

Meaning 1: Purpose ("so that", "in order to")

The first clause states a goal or desired outcome, and the second clause describes the action taken to achieve it. It's often used when giving instructions, making requests, or stating intentions.

Meaning 2: Extent or Result ("to the point of", "until")

The first clause describes the state that results from the action in the second clause. This usage emphasizes how intensely or for how long an action was performed, often with a bit of exaggeration.

Formation

Simply attach -도록 directly to the verb stem, regardless of whether it ends in a vowel or a consonant.

가다 (to go) → 가도록

먹다 (to eat) → 먹도록

만들다 (to make) → 만들도록

늦다 (to be late) → 늦도록

성공하도록 노력할게요. / 배가 터지도록 먹었어요. / 늦지 않도록 하세요.

Distinguishing between the two meanings of -도록 depends on the context and the verbs used.

Expressing Purpose ("so that")

This usage is often forward-looking, describing a goal for a future action. The second verb is typically an action taken to achieve the goal, like 노력하다 (to try), 조심하다 (to be careful), or 하다 (to do/make sure).

Context: Giving advice, setting a goal, making a request.

Example: 다치지 않도록 조심하세요. (Be careful so that you don't get hurt.) Here, 조심하세요 is the action taken to achieve the goal of 다치지 않다.

Describing Extent ("to the point of")

This usage is often descriptive, looking back at a past action to emphasize its intensity. The second verb is a general action performed to an extreme degree.

Context: Telling a story, expressing strong feelings, using hyperbole.

Example: 눈물이 나도록 웃었어요. (I laughed to the point of tears.) Here, 웃었어요 is the action, and 눈물이 나다 is the resulting state that shows how much I laughed.