📘 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.
📌 Table of Contents
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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