For the sake of: -기 위한

This pattern is actually a three-part team effort. First, you take a verb. You want to turn that action into a concept. So, you add -기. This changes the verb into a noun. Next, you add 위한. This comes from the verb 위하다, which means "to do for the sake of." Finally, you place a noun right after it. The whole phrase [Verb]-기 위한 now acts like a long adjective. It tells you the "why" behind the noun. For example, 살기 위한 집 means "a house for living." Without the -기 위한, it’s just a house. With it, the house has a clear mission. It’s a very logical way to link actions to objects. You are basically building a bridge between what you do and what you use.

1. 1Creating this pattern is like following a simple recipe. It doesn't matter if the verb stem ends in a vowel or a consonant. The rule stays the same.
2. 2Find the verb stem of the action you want. (Example: 공부하다 -> 공부하)
3. 3Add -기 to the end of that stem. (Example: 공부하기)
4. 4Add a space and then 위한. (Example: 공부하기 위한)
5. 5Place the noun you are describing immediately after. (Example: 공부하기 위한 책)
6. 6It works for long phrases too! If you want to say "a book for studying Korean at home," you just put that whole action first: 집에서 한국어를 공부하기 위한 책. Simple, right?

Use this pattern when you need to be specific about goals. It’s perfect for formal situations. Think about a job interview. You might talk about the 성공하기 위한 조건 (conditions for succeeding). Or maybe you’re at the gym. You’re looking for a 살을 빼기 위한 운동 (exercise for losing weight). It’s also great for ordering food if you have specific needs, like 건강을 유지하기 위한 식단 (a diet for maintaining health). In short, use it when the purpose is the most important detail. It gives your sentences a sense of direction and intent. It’s very common in written Korean, like news headlines or book titles. If you’re writing an essay, this will make you look very professional. It shows you know how to structure complex thoughts. Use it to sound smart and focused.

Don't use -기 위한 for simple everyday movement. If you're just going to the store to buy milk, don't say 우유를 사기 위한 마트에 가요. That sounds like you're writing a legal document about your grocery trip! Instead, use -러 (e.g., 우유 사러 마트에 가요). Also, avoid using it directly with people. If something is for your mom, you use 어머니를 위한 선물, not a verb pattern. -기 위한 needs an action. Finally, don't use it if you aren't describing a noun. If you want to say "I study *to* succeed," that’s an adverbial use. You would use -기 위해(서) instead. Remember: 위한 (with an 'n') always hunts for a noun to describe. 위해 (without the 'n') describes the action that follows it. Think of 위한 as a teammate for nouns and 위해 as a teammate for verbs.

One big oopsie is forgetting the -기. You might be tempted to say 공부 위한 책. Nope! That’s like saying "a study for book." You need that -기 to turn the action into a proper noun form. Another common mix-up is the 위한 vs 위해 confusion. I see this all the time! If you say 살을 빼기 위한 운동해요, it sounds weird. It should be 살을 빼기 위해 운동해요 (I exercise *to* lose weight). Or, if you're describing the exercise itself, 살을 빼기 위한 운동 (exercise *for* losing weight). It’s a tiny one-letter difference, but it changes the whole grammar structure. Also, watch out for double markers. You don't need to add ~의 after 위한. The ㄴ ending already acts as a modifier. Just let it sit right next to the noun. Even native speakers might skip the -기 in very casual speech, but for your B1 goals, keep it in there!

How is this different from just using the standard -는 modifier? Great question! If you say 공부하는 책, it literally means "the book that is studying." Unless your books have brains, that’s impossible! -는 describes what the noun *is doing* right now. -기 위한 describes what the noun is *intended for*. It’s the difference between "a crying baby" and "a room for babies to cry in." Also, compare it to -을/ㄹ. 공부할 책 means "a book I will study." It’s about the future. -기 위한 책 is about the purpose of the book's existence. It feels more official and permanent. Think of -기 위한 as the heavy-duty version of purpose. It’s stronger and more descriptive than the simple future or present modifiers.