-(으)려고

RuleVerb stem + -(eu)ryeogo: marks intention or purpose, "intending to / in order to." After a consonant use -euryeogo; after a vowel use -ryeogo.

Curiosity

In "I went to the library to study," -(eu)ryeogo links "with the intention to." How does it differ from the purpose -gi wihae?

Intuition

-(eu)ryeogo reveals the subject's inner intent. The subject must be the same in both clauses, and it pairs with volitional verbs. -gi wihae is a more objective "purpose," while -(eu)ryeogo is closer to the speaker's "plan/resolve."

Visualization

meokda (dictionary) → meok (stem, has batchim) → meogeuryeogo. With a final consonant it takes -euryeogo.

먹다meokdadictionary form

Essence

With a consonant use -euryeogo (meogeuryeogo); with a vowel -ryeogo (garyeogo). It attaches only to verbs, not adjectives. -(eu)ryeogo hada (garyeogo hada) means "be about to / intend to," and a command or suggestion does not follow it.

Examples

공부하려고 도서관에 갔어요.

I went to the library to study.

사진을 찍으려고 카메라를 샀어요.

I bought a camera to take photos.

일찍 자려고 노력해요.

I try to go to bed early.

Mini-quiz

Attach the intention -(eu)ryeogo to "meokda" (to eat). (consonant-final)