-도록 expresses purpose, extent, or a command/suggestion. It means "so that," "to the extent that," "until," or "in order to" depending on context.
Structure
Verb stem + -도록
Breakdown:
- -도록: Purpose/extent ending
- Attaches directly to verb stems
- Multiple meanings based on context
Main meanings:
- Purpose: "So that," "in order to"
- Extent: "To the point that," "until"
- Command: "Make sure to," "see to it that"
Formation Rules
With All Verbs
Verb stem + -도록:
- 가다 → 가도록 (so that [I/you] go)
- 먹다 → 먹도록 (so that [I/you] eat)
- 보다 → 보도록 (so that [I/you] see)
- 공부하다 → 공부하도록 (so that [I/you] study)
With Adjectives (Limited Use)
Generally not used with pure adjectives:
- Can use with stative verbs
- 알다 → 알도록 (so that [I/you] know)
- 되다 → 되도록 (so that it becomes)
Meaning 1: Purpose (So That)
Expressing Purpose
Action taken to achieve a goal:
- 일찍 자도록 노력해요 (I try to sleep early / make an effort so that I sleep early)
- 잊지 않도록 메모했어요 (I took notes so that I wouldn't forget)
- 늦지 않도록 일찍 출발했어요 (I left early so that I wouldn't be late)
Enabling Someone Else
Creating conditions for others:
- 공부하도록 조용히 해주세요 (Please be quiet so that [I/they] can study)
- 쉬도록 불을 꺼주세요 (Please turn off the lights so that [I/they] can rest)
- 볼 수 있도록 창문을 열어주세요 (Please open the window so that [I/they] can see)
Meaning 2: Extent/Degree
To the Point That
Describing the degree of something:
- 목이 아프도록 노래했어요 (I sang to the point that my throat hurt)
- 지치도록 일했어요 (I worked to the point of exhaustion)
- 눈물이 나도록 웃었어요 (I laughed until tears came out)
- 배가 아프도록 먹었어요 (I ate until my stomach hurt)
Until
Continuing until a state is reached:
- 알도록 반복했어요 (I repeated it until [you/I] understood)
- 익숙해지도록 연습했어요 (I practiced until [I] got used to it)
Meaning 3: Command/Instruction
Polite Commands
Making suggestions or giving instructions:
- 일찍 오도록 하세요 (Make sure to come early)
- 잊지 않도록 하세요 (Make sure not to forget)
- 조심하도록 하세요 (Make sure to be careful)
- 열심히 하도록 하세요 (Make sure to work hard)
Pattern: Verb + -도록 하다
Indirect Suggestions
Softened requests:
- 내일 다시 오도록 해요 (Make sure to come again tomorrow)
- 책을 읽도록 해요 (Make sure to read books)
Common Usage Patterns
Purpose + 하다
-도록 하다: "Make sure to," "try to":
- 운동하도록 해요 (Make sure to exercise / Try to exercise)
- 일찍 자도록 해요 (Make sure to sleep early)
- 매일 공부하도록 해요 (Make sure to study every day)
Negative Purpose
-지 않도록: "So that... not":
- 실수하지 않도록 조심해요 (I'm careful so that I don't make mistakes)
- 늦지 않도록 서둘러요 (I hurry so that I'm not late)
- 잊지 않도록 메모해요 (I take notes so that I don't forget)
With 되다
되도록: "As much as possible":
- 되도록 빨리 오세요 (Come as quickly as possible)
- 되도록 많이 연습하세요 (Practice as much as possible)
- 되도록 자주 만나요 (Let's meet as often as possible)
Tense and Politeness
Present Form
Stem + -도록 + Ending:
- 가도록 해요 (Make sure to go)
- 먹도록 해요 (Make sure to eat)
- 공부하도록 해요 (Make sure to study)
Past Form
Stem + -도록 + 했어요:
- 가도록 했어요 (I made sure [I/they] went)
- 먹도록 했어요 (I made sure [I/they] ate)
- 공부하도록 했어요 (I made sure [I/they] studied)
Formal Commands
Stem + -도록 하십시오:
- 조심하도록 하십시오 (Make sure to be careful - formal)
- 준비하도록 하십시오 (Make sure to prepare - formal)
Common Expressions
Daily Instructions
- 일찍 오도록 하세요 (Make sure to come early)
- 잊지 말도록 하세요 (Make sure not to forget)
- 연습하도록 하세요 (Make sure to practice)
- 확인하도록 하세요 (Make sure to check)
Purpose Statements
- 늦지 않도록 서두르세요 (Hurry so you won't be late)
- 감기 걸리지 않도록 조심하세요 (Be careful not to catch a cold)
- 이해할 수 있도록 천천히 말해주세요 (Please speak slowly so I can understand)
Extent Expressions
- 지치도록 일했어요 (I worked to exhaustion)
- 목이 쉬도록 소리쳤어요 (I shouted until my voice was hoarse)
- 다 외우도록 공부했어요 (I studied until I memorized it all)
Comparison with Similar Patterns
-도록 vs -(으)려고
-도록: Purpose (often for others or general)
- 공부하도록 조용히 하세요 (Please be quiet so [others] can study)
-(으)려고: Intent (speaker's own intention)
- 공부하려고 집에 왔어요 (I came home to study)
-도록 vs -게
-도록: Purpose, can be separated from main clause
- 볼 수 있도록 불을 켜주세요 (Turn on the lights so [I] can see)
-게: Manner or purpose, more direct connection
- 볼 수 있게 불을 켜주세요 (Turn on the lights so [I] can see)
Note: Often interchangeable, but -게 is more colloquial
-도록 하다 vs -아/어야 하다
-도록 하다: Softer suggestion
- 운동하도록 하세요 (Make sure to exercise)
-아/어야 하다: Stronger obligation
- 운동해야 해요 (You must exercise)
Special Pattern: 되도록
As Much As Possible
되도록 + Verb:
- 되도록 빨리 (As quickly as possible)
- 되도록 많이 (As much as possible)
- 되도록 자주 (As often as possible)
- 되도록 일찍 (As early as possible)
Complete sentences:
- 되도록 빨리 와주세요 (Please come as quickly as possible)
- 되도록 많이 먹으세요 (Please eat as much as possible)
Common Mistakes
❌ Incorrect: 좋도록
Don't use with pure adjectives
✅ Correct: 좋게
Use -게 with adjectives for manner
❌ Incorrect: 가도록요
Don't add 요 directly to -도록
✅ Correct: 가도록 해요
Complete with 하다 + polite ending
Summary Table
| Meaning | Pattern | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Verb + -도록 | 늦지 않도록 서둘러요 | I hurry so I won't be late |
| Extent | Verb + -도록 | 목이 아프도록 노래했어요 | I sang until my throat hurt |
| Command | Verb + -도록 하다 | 조심하도록 하세요 | Make sure to be careful |
| Negative | -지 않도록 | 잊지 않도록 메모해요 | I take notes so I don't forget |
| Possibility | 되도록 | 되도록 빨리 오세요 | Come as quickly as possible |
Usage Context Guide
Use -도록 for:
- Expressing purpose (so that)
- Describing extent (to the point that)
- Giving polite commands (make sure to)
- Creating conditions for others
- Formal or written contexts
Key Patterns to Remember:
- -도록 하다: Make sure to, try to
- -지 않도록: So that... not
- 되도록: As much as possible
Key Takeaways
- ✅ Multiple meanings: Purpose, extent, command
- ✅ Versatile pattern: Used in many contexts
- ✅ Common with 하다: -도록 하다 for commands
- ✅ Negative form: -지 않도록
- ✅ Special usage: 되도록 (as much as possible)
- ✅ Formal tone: More formal than some alternatives
-도록 is an essential Korean grammar pattern with multiple uses, particularly important for expressing purpose and giving polite instructions.