📘 Expressing Intention or Plan in Korean: -(으)려고 하다

Expressing Intention or Plan in Korean: -(으)려고 하다

One of the most useful grammar structures for Korean learners is -(으)려고 하다, which means “to intend to,” “to plan to,” or “to try to.” It’s commonly used in daily conversation to talk about future actions or goals.

1. Meaning & Usage

The pattern -(으)려고 하다 expresses intention, will, or future plans. It's often translated as:

“I’m going to...”
“I intend to...”
“I’m planning to...”

2. How to Conjugate -(으)려고 하다

Ends in vowel: 가다 → 가려고 하다
Ends in consonant: 먹다 → 먹으려고 하다
하다 verbs: 운동하다 → 운동하려고 하다

3. Example Sentences

한국어를 배우려고 해요.
Hangukeoreul baeuryeogo haeyo.
I’m planning to learn Korean.

오늘 친구를 만나려고 해요.
Oneul chingureul mannaryeogo haeyo.
I intend to meet my friend today.

영화를 보려고 했어요.
Yeonghwareul boryeogo haesseoyo.
I was planning to watch a movie.

밖에 나가려고 했는데 비가 왔어요.
Bakke nagaryeogo haenneunde biga wasseoyo.
I was about to go outside, but it rained.

다이어트를 하려고 합니다.
Daieoteureul haryeogo hamnida.
I’m planning to go on a diet.

4. Pro Tips for Natural Use

It can be used in both spoken and written Korean, but often in polite or soft expressions.
Sometimes shortened in speech to just -(으)려고 when the ending is obvious.
It is often used in the past tense when talking about a plan that didn’t happen.

5. Did You Know?

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6. Practice Sentences

Try writing your own sentences using -(으)려고 하다. Here are some prompts:

What are you planning to do this weekend?
What did you intend to do yesterday?

💬 Share your practice sentences in the comments!

7. Learn Korean with Me

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