Korean grammar patterns › Level 5
-고자
in order to, wishing to (formal); -고자 하다 'intend to'
Level 5 · TOPIK II · advanced
How to use it
Expresses purpose or intention in formal speech and writing (speeches, announcements, essays). -고자 하다 is the formal version of -(으)려고 하다.
Forming it
| 알리다 | → 알리고자 |
| 돕다 | → 돕고자 |
| 말씀드리다 | → 말씀드리고자 합니다 |
Verbs only: ✗ 행복하고자 → 행복해지고자. Sounds stiff in casual conversation.
Examples
이번 행사는 주민들과 소통하고자 마련되었습니다.
This event was organized in order to communicate with local residents.
한국 문화를 더 깊이 공부하고자 이 학교에 지원했습니다.
I applied to this school in order to study Korean culture more deeply.
Compared with similar patterns
-(으)려고 is the everyday spoken form; -기 위해(서) is neutral and can also take nouns (N을 위해서); -고자 is the most formal.