-기 위해(서) is a formal way to express purpose. It means "for the purpose of," "in order to," or "for the sake of."
Structure
Verb stem + -기 위해(서)
Breakdown:
- -기: Nominalizing ending
- 위해(서): For the sake of
Meaning: "For the purpose of [verb]ing"
Basic Pattern
All Verbs: -기 위해(서)
No conjugation variations:
- 가다 → 가기 위해(서) (in order to go)
- 먹다 → 먹기 위해(서) (in order to eat)
- 하다 → 하기 위해(서) (in order to do)
- 공부하다 → 공부하기 위해(서) (in order to study)
Simple rule: Add -기 위해(서) to any verb stem
위해 vs 위해서
Both Acceptable
위해: Shorter
- 공부하기 위해 왔어요 (I came to study)
위해서: Slightly more emphatic
- 공부하기 위해서 왔어요 (I came to study)
Usage: Both common, 위해 slightly more formal/written
Formality Level
More Formal Than -(으)려고
Formality ranking:
- -기 위해(서) (Most formal)
- -(으)려고 (Standard)
- -(으)러 가다/오다 (Natural spoken)
Used in:
- Written Korean
- Formal speeches
- News reports
- Academic writing
- Official statements
Less common in:
- Casual daily conversation
- Informal speech
Core Usage: Formal Purpose
Stating Goals
Formal contexts:
- 성공하기 위해 노력합니다 (I strive in order to succeed)
- 건강하기 위해 운동해요 (I exercise to be healthy)
- 합격하기 위해 공부해요 (I study to pass)
Common Patterns
Academic/Career Goals
Professional purposes:
- 취직하기 위해 준비해요 (I prepare to get a job)
- 승진하기 위해 일해요 (I work to get promoted)
- 연구하기 위해 유학 갔어요 (I went abroad to research)
- 배우기 위해 학교에 다녀요 (I attend school to learn)
Personal Improvement
Self-development:
- 발전하기 위해 노력해요 (I try hard to develop)
- 실력을 늘리기 위해 연습해요 (I practice to improve skills)
- 목표를 달성하기 위해 계획해요 (I plan to achieve goals)
Social Good
For others/society:
- 사회를 위해 봉사해요 (I volunteer for society)
- 가족을 위해 일해요 (I work for my family)
- 환경을 위해 노력해요 (I try hard for the environment)
With Different Main Verbs
Various Actions
Connecting purpose to action:
- 보기 위해 갔어요 (Went to see)
- 만나기 위해 왔어요 (Came to meet)
- 확인하기 위해 전화했어요 (Called to check)
- 알아보기 위해 조사했어요 (Investigated to find out)
Negative Form
In Order Not to
Pattern: -지 않기 위해(서)
Examples:
- 실패하지 않기 위해 준비해요 (I prepare to not fail)
- 늦지 않기 위해 일찍 일어나요 (I wake up early to not be late)
- 잊지 않기 위해 메모해요 (I take notes to not forget)
Noun + 을/를 위해(서)
For [Noun]
Pattern: Noun + 을/를 위해(서)
Examples:
- 미래를 위해 저축해요 (I save for the future)
- 건강을 위해 운동해요 (I exercise for health)
- 가족을 위해 일해요 (I work for my family)
- 꿈을 위해 노력해요 (I try hard for my dream)
Contrast with Similar Forms
-기 위해(서) vs -(으)려고
-기 위해(서): Formal, written (for the purpose of)
- 공부하기 위해 왔어요 (I came for the purpose of studying)
- → Formal, official
-(으)려고: Natural, spoken (in order to)
- 공부하려고 왔어요 (I came to study)
- → Conversational, natural
-기 위해(서) vs -(으)러 가다/오다
-기 위해(서): Formal purpose (any verb)
- 보기 위해 갔어요 (Went for the purpose of seeing)
- → Formal
-(으)러 가다/오다: Natural movement purpose
- 보러 갔어요 (Went to see)
- → Natural, common
-기 위해(서) vs -게
-기 위해(서): Speaker's purpose (I intend)
- 성공하기 위해 노력해요 (I try to succeed)
- → My purpose
-게: Resulting state (so that)
- 성공하게 노력해요 (I try so that I succeed)
- → Making result happen
Example Sentences
Formal Writing
-
연구를 진행하기 위해 데이터를 수집했습니다
(We collected data in order to conduct research) -
목표를 달성하기 위해 계획을 세웠습니다
(We made a plan to achieve the goal) -
환경을 보호하기 위해 노력하고 있습니다
(We are striving to protect the environment)
News/Reports
-
경제를 발전시키기 위해 정책이 발표되었습니다
(A policy was announced to develop the economy) -
안전을 확보하기 위해 점검이 실시됩니다
(Inspections are conducted to ensure safety)
Example Dialogues
Dialogue 1: Interview
Q: 왜 우리 회사에 지원했습니까?
(Why did you apply to our company?)
A: 경험을 쌓기 위해 지원했습니다.
(I applied to gain experience.)
Dialogue 2: Presentation
Speaker: 이 프로젝트는 효율성을 높이기 위해 시작되었습니다.
(This project was started to increase efficiency.)
Dialogue 3: Academic
Professor: 연구 목적이 무엇입니까?
(What is the research purpose?)
Student: 문제를 해결하기 위해 연구합니다.
(I research to solve the problem.)
Common Mistakes
❌ Incorrect: 가기 위해요
Casual ending with formal pattern
✅ Correct: 가기 위해 or 가기 위해서
Don't add 요 to 위해
❌ Incorrect: 먹기 위해 먹어요
Redundant purpose and action
✅ Correct: 먹기 위해 왔어요
Purpose + different action
When to Use
Use -기 위해(서)**:
- Formal writing
- Academic papers
- News reports
- Business presentations
- Official speeches
Use -(으)려고 instead**:
- Daily conversation
- Casual explanations
- Informal writing
- Text messages
Summary Table
| Pattern | Formality | Context | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| -기 위해(서) | ★★★★★ | Written, formal | 공부하기 위해 왔어요 |
| -(으)려고 | ★★★☆☆ | Spoken, standard | 공부하려고 왔어요 |
| -(으)러 가다 | ★★☆☆☆ | Spoken, natural | 공부하러 갔어요 |
Key Takeaways
✅ Formal purpose: "For the purpose of" / "In order to"
✅ All verbs same: Verb + -기 위해(서)
✅ Written Korean: Common in formal contexts
✅ Not for casual speech: Too formal for daily chat
✅ Noun form: Noun + 을/를 위해(서)
✅ Use alternatives casually: -(으)려고 more natural
-기 위해(서) is essential for formal Korean writing and official communication, but is rarely used in everyday casual conversation. For speaking, -(으)려고 or -(으)러 가다/오다 are much more natural choices.