36: V-(으)려고 해요

Learn Korean for Free | Beginner Korean Grammar #36

You have decided what you intend to do next: study tonight, take a trip, or call a friend. V-(으)려고 해요 presents that intention.

What Does V-(으)려고 해요 Mean?

Use V-(으)려고 해요 for the speaker’s intention or a planned action. It often corresponds to “intend to,” “plan to,” or “am going to.”

The Rule

After a consonant, add -으려고 해요: 먹다 → 먹으려고 해요. After a vowel or ㄹ, add -려고 해요: 가다 → 가려고 해요, 만들다 → 만들려고 해요. It attaches to action verbs.

Useful Korean Words

Korean	English
신청하다	to apply
예약하다	to reserve
준비하다	to prepare
전화하다	to call
운동하다	to exercise
만들다	to make
주말	weekend
이번 방학	this vacation

Korean Grammar Examples

오늘 저녁에 한국어를 공부하려고 해요.
I intend to study Korean this evening.

주말에 방을 청소하려고 해요.
I plan to clean my room this weekend.

식당을 미리 예약하려고 해요.
I am going to reserve the restaurant in advance.

친구에게 전화하려고 해요.
I intend to call my friend.

이번 방학에 제주도에 가려고 해요.
I plan to go to Jeju Island this vacation.

A Short Dialogue

A: 방학에 뭐 하려고 해요? — What are you planning to do during vacation?
B: 한국을 여행하려고 해요. — I plan to travel around Korea.
A: 어디에 가려고 해요? — Where do you intend to go?
B: 부산하고 경주에 가려고 해요. — I plan to go to Busan and Gyeongju.

A Common Mistake to Avoid

This form expresses an intention, so it normally needs a subject capable of planning. 날씨가 추우려고 해요 is not a normal weather prediction; use 추울 거예요. Compare Lesson 32: -(으)ㄹ 거예요 covers both plans and predictions, while -(으)려고 해요 focuses more clearly on intention.

Quick Quiz 🎯

Complete the plan: ① 친구를 만나다 ② 저녁을 만들다 ③ 운동을 시작하다 ④ 기차표를 사다.

Answers and Explanation

① 친구를 만나려고 해요. ② 저녁을 만들려고 해요. ③ 운동을 시작하려고 해요. ④ 기차표를 사려고 해요.

Try It in Your Own Life

Write two original sentences using V-(으)려고 해요 about your experience, schedule, ability, plan, or Korean study. Read them aloud, change one detail, and say them again. Check both the grammar form and the spacing before comparing your work with the model sentences.

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