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RuleVerb stem + -gi wihae(seo): marks purpose, "in order to." The -gi nominalizes the verb.

Curiosity

How do you state a clear purpose in Korean, as in "I exercise for my health"? How does it differ from -(eu)ryeogo?

Intuition

-gi wihae(seo) turns the verb into a noun with -gi, then adds wihada (wihae) to nail down "for the sake of doing that." It is a clearer, more formal purpose expression than -(eu)ryeogo.

Visualization

gada (dictionary) → ga (stem) → gagi wihae. -gi wihae attaches to the stem.

가다gadadictionary form

Essence

Verb stem + -gi wihae(seo) (gagi wihaeseo). With a noun it is eul/reul wihae (geon-gang-eul wihae, "for health"). Unlike -(eu)ryeogo, it fits formal and written style and states the purpose more explicitly. -gi wihae = -gi wihayeo (more formal).

Examples

건강을 지키기 위해 운동해요.

I exercise in order to stay healthy.

표를 사기 위해서 줄을 섰어요.

I stood in line to buy a ticket.

시험에 합격하기 위해 열심히 공부해요.

I study hard in order to pass the exam.

Mini-quiz

Attach the purpose -gi wihae(seo) to "sada" (to buy).