How to Use ~려고 해요 in Korean – Express Intentions and Plans Naturally

When learning Korean, one of the most useful grammar forms for expressing future plans is ~려고 해요. This structure allows you to say things like "I’m planning to study" or "I intend to meet a friend" in a natural and polite way. 🌱

In this guide, you’ll discover how to use ~려고 해요 correctly, when it’s appropriate, and how native speakers use it in real conversations. 

We'll also explore conjugation rules, example sentences, and common mistakes to avoid — all with clear explanations and practical examples. 

1️⃣ What Is ~려고 해요?

~려고 해요 is a Korean expression used to show someone’s intention or plan to do something. It is similar to saying "I’m going to..." or "I plan to..." in English. This form is extremely common in daily conversation and helps you sound more natural and polite when talking about your plans or goals.

 

This grammar is made up of two parts: the verb stem and the phrase 려고 해요. You attach it directly to the verb to express future intent. It doesn’t express certainty, but rather shows that something is likely or being considered. That subtlety makes it more flexible than simply saying "will."

 

Let’s look at an example. The verb 가다 (to go) becomes 가려고 해요, meaning "I’m planning to go." Another example: 공부하다 (to study) becomes 공부하려고 해요, meaning "I intend to study."

 

This form is very useful in contexts where you're not yet doing the action, but you want to express that it's your current plan. Koreans use this form to talk about both near-future actions and general intentions.

 

📊 Sentence Structure Overview

Type	Structure	English Meaning	Example
Basic	Verb stem + 려고 해요	I’m planning to...	운동하려고 해요
With purpose	Verb stem + 려고 + other verb	in order to...	한국어 배우려고 왔어요

 

2️⃣ How to Conjugate ~려고 해요

Conjugating ~려고 해요 is surprisingly simple. Just take the stem of an action verb and attach 려고 해요. For most verbs, there’s no need to worry about whether it ends in a vowel or consonant — this form applies smoothly in both cases.

 

Let’s break it down with examples. 가다 (to go) becomes 가려고 해요. 먹다 (to eat) becomes 먹으려고 해요. You’ll notice the particle 으 is added after consonant-ending verbs for better pronunciation.

 

This form is only used with action verbs. That means you cannot use it with descriptive verbs like 예쁘다 (to be pretty) or 춥다 (to be cold). It’s for things you are going to do, such as run, study, buy, help, or meet someone.

 

A special case is the verb 하다 (to do). Because it’s so common and regular, it just becomes 하려고 해요. So 공부하다 → 공부하려고 해요, 운동하다 → 운동하려고 해요, and so on.

 

📚 Verb Conjugation Chart for ~려고 해요

Base Verb	Verb Type	Conjugated Form	Meaning
가다 (to go)	Regular	가려고 해요	I’m planning to go
먹다 (to eat)	Consonant-ending	먹으려고 해요	I’m planning to eat
공부하다 (to study)	하다 verb	공부하려고 해요	I’m planning to study
보다 (to see)	Regular	보려고 해요	I’m planning to watch/see

 

Use this chart as a quick reference to understand how to conjugate both regular and 하다 verbs. Pay attention to whether the verb ends in a vowel or consonant — that will determine if you need to insert 으 before 려고 해요.

3️⃣ Using ~려고 해요 in Real Conversations

Now let’s look at how ~려고 해요 is used in real Korean conversations. It can express what you’re about to do, what you want to do, or even explain the reason behind your action. You’ll often hear it in casual conversations like “영화 보려고 해요” (I'm planning to watch a movie) or “운동하려고 헬스장에 갔어요” (I went to the gym to work out).

 

In Korean culture, it's considered polite to express your intentions in a soft and indirect way. That’s why ~려고 해요 is preferred over blunt future statements in many cases. For example, instead of saying “I will quit my job” directly, you might hear “퇴사하려고 해요,” which feels gentler and more respectful.

 

You can also use this structure to explain your reasoning. “친구 만나려고 서울에 왔어요” means “I came to Seoul to meet a friend.” Here, ~려고 indicates the reason for the action rather than just the plan itself.

 

This expression appears frequently in K-dramas and Korean media. If you’re watching a show and hear someone say, “공부하려고 했는데...,” they’re likely saying they planned to study but something changed. That nuance can’t always be captured with English future tense alone.

 

🗣️ Real-Life Examples with ~려고 해요

Korean Sentence	English Meaning
책을 읽으려고 해요	I’m planning to read a book
점심 먹으려고 나갔어요	I went out to eat lunch
운전 배우려고 해요	I’m planning to learn driving

 

4️⃣ Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

While ~려고 해요 is easy to learn, many learners make small mistakes that can affect clarity or politeness. One common error is using it with adjectives or descriptive verbs. Remember, this form is only for action verbs. So saying "예쁘려고 해요" is incorrect.

 

Another mistake is confusing ~려고 해요 with ~ㄹ 거예요. While both express the future, ~려고 해요 is about intention, and ~ㄹ 거예요 is about prediction. For example, "갈 거예요" means "I will go" while "가려고 해요" means "I’m planning to go."

 

Learners also sometimes drop the 해요 part and just say “가려고.” This is okay in casual speech, but not polite. To keep your tone appropriate, always use the full polite form, especially with teachers, elders, or strangers.

 

Sometimes, students try to use ~려고 해요 in negative sentences incorrectly. For example, “안 가려고 해요” is correct for “I don’t intend to go,” but “가지 않으려고 해요” sounds more fluent. This is an area where exposure to native speech helps refine your usage.

 

❌ Mistake vs Correct Usage Table

Mistake	Why It's Wrong	Correct Form
예쁘려고 해요	"예쁘다" is not an action verb	예뻐지려고 해요 (to become pretty)
갈려고 해요	Incorrect spelling	가려고 해요

 

5️⃣ Cultural Context: Planning and Intention in Korea

In Korean culture, speaking about your intentions in a soft and respectful tone is very important. That’s why ~려고 해요 is often preferred over more direct expressions. It shows that you're considering others and not making a strong, unilateral decision.

 

For example, saying “일하려고 해요” (I’m planning to work) sounds much more polite than “일할 거예요” (I will work), especially in professional or formal settings. The former implies flexibility and humility, which are key values in Korean interaction.

 

Even among friends or family, ~려고 해요 helps soften the tone of conversation. Instead of sounding pushy, it allows the listener to engage in the plan or suggestion. It’s a form of indirectness that builds harmony.

 

So when using this structure, you’re not just learning grammar — you're learning how to sound more considerate and culturally appropriate in Korean society. That’s why this form is often recommended for beginners who want to communicate respectfully from the start.

 

🌏 Cultural Nuance Summary

Expression	Tone	Context
할 거예요	Strong, direct	Future plan (neutral tone)
하려고 해요	Soft, polite	Intent with respect

 

6️⃣ Mini Quiz for Practice

Now it’s your turn! Let’s test what you’ve learned. Below are a few simple sentences. Try to conjugate them using ~려고 해요. Answers are shown in the table.

 

📝 Quiz: Convert to ~려고 해요 Form

English	Verb	Correct Answer
I plan to sleep	자다	자려고 해요
I plan to write	쓰다	쓰려고 해요
I plan to cook	요리하다	요리하려고 해요

 

❓ FAQ – Common Questions About ~려고 해요

Q1. What does ~려고 해요 mean in Korean?

A1. It means "I’m planning to" or "I intend to" and is used to express intention or purpose in a polite way.

Q2. Can I use ~려고 해요 with all verbs?

A2. No, only with action verbs. Descriptive or adjective-like verbs don’t work with this structure.

Q3. What’s the difference between ~려고 해요 and ~ㄹ 거예요?

A3. ~려고 해요 focuses on intention, while ~ㄹ 거예요 expresses a future prediction or certainty.

Q4. Is it formal or informal?

A4. It’s polite (존댓말) and appropriate for daily conversation with people you respect or don’t know well.

Q5. Can I use this with negative sentences?

A5. Yes. For example, 가지 않으려고 해요 (I’m not planning to go).

Q6. Can I drop 해요 in casual speech?

A6. In casual situations, you might hear just ~려고, but it’s best to keep the full phrase for clarity and politeness.

Q7. Is there a difference between ~려고 and ~기 위해서?

A7. Yes, ~기 위해서 is more formal and literary. ~려고 is more common in conversation.

Q8. What’s the past tense form of ~려고 해요?

A8. Use ~려고 했어요 to say you had planned something in the past.

Q9. Can I use this form to talk about other people’s plans?

A9. Yes, for example: 민수가 운동하려고 해요 (Minsoo is planning to exercise).

Q10. How do I make a question with ~려고 해요?

A10. Just raise the intonation or add a question mark: 뭐 하려고 해요? (What are you planning to do?)

Q11. Can ~려고 해요 be used for commands?

A11. No, it’s only for expressing the speaker’s or subject’s intention.

Q12. Does this form work in business situations?

A12. Yes, it’s soft and polite, making it ideal for semi-formal business interactions.

Q13. Can I use it in writing?

A13. It’s fine in emails, texts, and informal writing. For academic/formal writing, more formal grammar is better.

Q14. What about ~려고 하다 without 해요?

A14. That’s the dictionary/base form. “하려고 하다” is the plain style version.

Q15. How does it compare to English “going to”?

A15. Very similar, but slightly softer and more polite in tone.

Q16. Is it okay to say 가려고 합니다?

A16. Yes, that’s the formal version. It’s great for speeches or interviews.

Q17. How do I pronounce ~려고 해요 naturally?

A17. Native speakers often say “려구 해요” — it sounds like ‘ryogu haeyo’ in real speech.

Q18. Can it mean “in order to”?

A18. Yes. Ex: 공부하려고 도서관에 갔어요 = I went to the library to study.

Q19. Can I stack it with other grammar points?

A19. Yes. For example: 먹으려고 했는데 전화가 왔어요 = I was about to eat, but got a call.

Q20. Is this used in the TOPIK test?

A20. Absolutely. It’s a beginner grammar point and appears often in listening and writing sections.

Q21. What’s the difference between ~으려고 and ~려고?

A21. “으” is added after consonant-ending verbs for pronunciation. Example: 먹으려고 해요.

Q22. Can I say 하려고 해요 for all 하다 verbs?

A22. Yes! 공부하다 → 공부하려고 해요 / 요리하다 → 요리하려고 해요

Q23. What’s a fun way to practice this?

A23. Try making a weekly plan in Korean using ~려고 해요 for each activity.

Q24. Is this expression used in K-dramas?

A24. Very often! Listen closely and you’ll catch it in everyday scenes.

Q25. Can children use ~려고 해요?

A25. Definitely. It’s used by all age groups and very natural.

Q26. Does it show respect?

A26. Yes, it softens your speech and shows consideration.

Q27. Can I say 가려고 했어요 but not go?

A27. Yes! It means “I was planning to go” but maybe didn’t.

Q28. Is it okay to use it in a question to elders?

A28. Yes, very polite: 어디 가려고 하세요?

Q29. Is there a casual version?

A29. Yes! Just say 가려고 해 without 요 for friends or close people.

Q30. Can I end a sentence with just ~려고?

A30. Grammatically possible but sounds unfinished. Best to use full form like ~려고 해요.

 

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, learners should consult additional sources or a teacher when necessary.