Lesson 79 · Purpose: -기 위해(서) / N을/를 위해(서)
Hyeju Language Lab · Beginner · Lesson 79 · Grammar
Purpose: -기 위해(서) / N을/를 위해(서)
Learn the form, compare its meaning, and practice with six examples and six questions.
BeginnerEnglishIntroduction
Use this pattern to explain the goal of an action. 공연하기 위해 연습해요 means practice in order to perform. With a noun, 을/를 위해서 means for or for the sake of someone or something.
Romanization is an approximate reading aid. Read the Korean spelling first.
Form & Meaning
- After a verb stem, add 기 위해서: 공연하다 → 공연하기 위해서; 배우다 → 배우기 위해서.
- After a consonant-ending noun use 을: 건강을 위해서. After a vowel use 를: 아이를 위해서.
- 서 is optional: 공연하기 위해 and 공연하기 위해서 both work. The pattern is useful in explanations, interviews, and writing as well as speech.
Examples
I practice every day in order to perform.
I am studying Korean in order to get a job at a Korean company.
I walk for thirty minutes every day for my health.
I work for my family.
I work hard to achieve my dream.
We practice together for a good performance.
Compare with similar grammar
LESSON 32
-(으)러 가다
책을 빌리러 도서관에 가요.Only works with movement verbs and sounds everyday. -기 위해서 works with any verb and sounds formal.
Review Lesson 32 →LESSON 33
-(으)려고
살을 빼려고 저녁을 조금 먹어요.The everyday “in order to”. -기 위해서 is its formal, written cousin.
Review Lesson 33 →LESSON 82
-게 (so that)
뒤에서도 보이게 크게 써 주세요.“So that…”: often a different subject or a result you want.
Look ahead: Lesson 82 →| Pattern | Main verb | Style | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| -기 위해(서) | Any | Formal, written | 시험에 합격하기 위해서 공부해요 |
| -(으)려고 | Any | Everyday | 합격하려고 공부해요 |
| -(으)러 | Movement only | Everyday | 공부하러 가요 |
| N을/를 위해(서) | — | for (the sake of) N | 가족을 위해서 일해요 |
Dialogue: Getting Ready for a Show
Minsu meets his friend Yuna, who has been very busy. Notice how -기 위해서 and N을/를 위해서 explain the goal behind each action.
Point: 실수하지 않기 위해서 shows that the goal can also be negative: put -지 않기 before 위해서 to say “so that I don’t …”.
Hyeju’s Note
Keep a goal separate from a cause. 건강을 위해서 운동해요 gives the purpose of exercise. 비 때문에 공연이 취소됐어요 gives the cause of cancellation. -(으)려고 also expresses an intention or purpose in suitable constructions, but do not assume every context allows a direct swap.
Common mistakes
건강의 위해서 → 건강을 위해서. The noun takes 을/를, not 의.
-기 위해(서) needs an action. With an adjective, use -아/어지다 (or say 건강을 위해서).
With verbs, it’s always -기 위해서.
Put a space before 위해서.
In casual speech, -(으)러 sounds much more natural. -기 위해서 is formal.
-기 위해서 vs -(으)려고 vs -(으)러
All three can be translated as “to” or “in order to,” but they are not always interchangeable.
| Pattern | Best for | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| -기 위해서 | A clear goal or purpose; common in explanations, interviews, and writing | Attach to verbs. With adjectives, change them first: 건강해지기 위해서 |
| -(으)려고 | Your own intention or plan; sounds casual and personal | Not followed by commands or suggestions (-(으)세요, -(으)ㅂ시다) |
| -(으)러 | The purpose of going or coming somewhere | Only with movement verbs: 가다, 오다, 다니다 |
I work part-time to save money. (✓ 모으려고 also works / ✗ 모으러: 하다 is not a movement verb)
Exercise every day for your health. (With a command, use 위해서 rather than -(으)려고.)
Say It, Then Write It
Choose one example that fits your day. Say it aloud, change one detail, and write the new sentence. Check both the connecting form and the final tense.
Mini practice · six questions
All sentences below are new. Try each one before opening the answer.
- Fill in the blank유학을 ______ 돈을 모으고 있어요. (가다)
Check answer
유학을 가기 위해서 돈을 모으고 있어요.
가 + 기 위해서.
- Fill in the blank저는 우리 ______ 열심히 일해요. (가족)
Check answer
저는 우리 가족을 위해서 열심히 일해요.
Noun + 을/를 위해서: 가족을 위해서.
- Choose the better form(발표에서) 환경을 (보호하기 위해서 / 보호하러) 무엇을 해야 할까요?
Check answer
보호하기 위해서
A formal presentation, and the main verb isn’t movement → -기 위해서.
- Choose the better form(친구에게) 주말에 책을 (빌리러 / 빌리기 위해서) 도서관에 가자.
Check answer
빌리러
Casual talk + movement verb (가다) → -(으)러.
- Find and fix the mistake좋은 회사에 취직하는 위해서 매일 공부해요.
Check answer
좋은 회사에 취직하기 위해서 매일 공부해요.
-기 위해서, not -는 위해서.
- Say it in KoreanI exercise every day for my health.
Check answer
건강을 위해서 매일 운동해요.
Noun + 을 위해서: 건강을 위해서.
Questions Learners Often Ask
Can I drop 서 and just say 위해?
Yes. 공연하기 위해 and 공연하기 위해서 mean the same thing. 위해 without 서 sounds slightly more written, so you will often see it in articles and signs.
Can I use -기 위해서 with adjectives?
Not directly. 예쁘기 위해서 sounds unnatural. Change the adjective into “become” first with -아/어지다: 예뻐지기 위해서, 건강해지기 위해서.
What does 을/를 위한 mean?
It is the form you use before a noun: 학생들을 위한 책 means “a book for students,” and 가족을 위한 선물 means “a gift for my family.”
Today’s Key Point
After a verb stem, add 기 위해서: 공연하다 → 공연하기 위해서; 배우다 → 배우기 위해서. Keep the meaning and the context together when you choose the form.
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