하려고 (ha-ryeo-go, haryeogo) · 려고 (ryeo-go, ryeogo)
'하려고' clearly expresses intention as a shortened form of '하려고 하다', while '려고' attaches to verb stems to indicate intention but cannot stand alone.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Expresses the intention to do an action
When to use
Clear intention expression, Explaining plans, Emphasizing purpose
The nuance
Attach '-려고' to a verb stem to clearly express intention; often used as a shortened form of '하려고 하다'.
Attaches to verb stems to indicate intention but cannot be used alone
When to use
Intention connective ending, Within sentence connection, Cannot be used alone
The nuance
A connective ending attached to verb stems to indicate intention; must be used with a preceding verb stem and cannot stand alone.
내일 공부하려고 도서관에 갈 거야.
nae-il gong-bu-ha-ryeo-go do-seo-gwan-e gal geo-ya., nae il gong bu ha ryeo go do seo gwan e gal geo ya.
'하려고' clearly expresses intention and the sentence is natural.
내일 공부려고 도서관에 갈 거야.
nae-il gong-bu-ryeo-go do-seo-gwan-e gal geo-ya., nae il gong bu ryeo go do seo gwan e gal geo ya.
'공부려고' cannot be used alone; '하려고' must be used.
운동하려고 일찍 일어났어.
un-dong-ha-ryeo-go il-jjik il-eo-nass-eo., un dong ha ryeo go il jjik il eo nass eo.
'하려고' correctly expresses intention.
운동려고 일찍 일어났어.
un-dong-ryeo-go il-jjik il-eo-nass-eo., un dong ryeo go il jjik il eo nass eo.
'려고' cannot be used alone, so this is incorrect.
친구를 만나려고 전화했어.
chin-gu-reul man-na-ryeo-go jeon-hwa-haess-eo., chin gu reul man na ryeo go jeon hwa haess eo.
A natural sentence emphasizing purpose.
친구를 만나려고 하려고 전화했어.
chin-gu-reul man-na-ryeo-go ha-ryeo-go jeon-hwa-haess-eo., chin gu reul man na ryeo go ha ryeo go jeon hwa haess eo.
'하려고 하려고' is redundant and unnatural.
책을 읽으려고 했는데 시간이 없었어.
chaek-eul ik-eu-ryeo-go haess-neun-de si-gan-i eop-eoss-eo., chaek eul ik eu ryeo go haess neun de si gan i eop eoss eo.
A natural sentence expressing past intention.
책을 읽려고 했는데 시간이 없었어.
chaek-eul ik-ryeo-go haess-neun-de si-gan-i eop-eoss-eo., chaek eul ik ryeo go haess neun de si gan i eop eoss eo.
Correct usage with verb stem '읽으' plus '-려고'.
Which sentence is correct?
How should '려고' be used?
Is '하려고 하려고' correct?
