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Korean Grammar Patterns
-(으)러 vs -(으)려고
Meaning
purpose: go/come to do vs intend to do
How to use it
Both express purpose, but -(으)러 attaches only to verbs of going/coming/moving (가다, 오다, 다니다 etc.) and states the purpose of that movement ('go in order to…'). -(으)려고 expresses intention before any verb ('intending to…') and can appear with -(으)려고 하다 to mean 'about to / plan to'. Use -(으)러 with motion verbs; use -(으)려고 for broader intentions or near-future plans.
-(으)러 cannot be used if the main verb is not a motion verb.,-(으)려고 cannot take a command/suggestion in its main clause, but -(으)러 can (e.g. 밥 먹으러 가자).
Examples
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 친구를 만나러 카페에 갔어요. chingureul mannareo kapee gasseoyo. | I went to the cafe to meet a friend. |
| 시험에 합격하려고 매일 열심히 공부해요. siheome hapgyeokharyeogo maeil yeolsimhi gongbuhaeyo. | I study hard every day in order to pass the exam. |
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