Formal Purpose: -고자 하다 (Intend To, Aim To)

This pattern connects a specific goal to your current action. It is essentially a bridge between your 'why' and your 'what.' When you use -고자 하다, you are telling people your formal intent. It sounds very deliberate. You are not just 'planning' to do something like a weekend trip. You are 'aiming' to achieve a result. It is mostly used in writing or formal speeches. You will see it in news reports, business presentations, and essays. It shows that you have put thought into your decision. It is the language of someone who has a clear mission. Yes, it sounds a bit fancy, but that is the point! Use it when you want to impress or be taken seriously. Even if you are just starting, knowing this makes you sound incredibly sophisticated.

1. 1One of the best things about -고자 하다 is how simple it is. You do not have to worry about complex spelling rules or tricky patchim changes. It is a 'one-size-fits-all' kind of rule. Here is the step-by-step breakdown:
2. 2Find the verb stem of the action you intend to do. Just drop the 다 from the dictionary form.
3. 3Simply add -고자 directly to that stem. It does not matter if the stem ends in a vowel or a consonant.
4. 4Follow it with the verb 하다. You can conjugate 하다 however you need for the sentence ending.
5. 5Example 1: 가다 (to go) becomes 가고자 합니다.
6. 6Example 2: 먹다 (to eat) becomes 먹고자 합니다.
7. 7Example 3: 취직하다 (to get a job) becomes 취직하고자 합니다.
8. 8It is like a grammar Lego set. Snap them together and you are ready to give a speech. No irregulars will ruin your day here!

Since this is a formal grammar point, context is everything. Think of it like a grammar traffic light—only turn this on in 'Formal Green' zones.

• Job Interviews: When the interviewer asks why you applied. You would say, 'I intend to contribute to this company.'
• Formal Speeches: If you are speaking at a school ceremony or a wedding. You might say, 'I aim to thank everyone who came.'
• Business Emails: Use it when outlining a project goal to your boss. 'We intend to finish the project by Friday.'
• Essays and Reports: This is the standard way to state your purpose in academic writing. 'In this paper, I aim to analyze Korean culture.'

Basically, if you are wearing a tie or a formal dress, you are probably in the right zone for -고자 하다.

Using this in the wrong place is like wearing a wedding gown to buy milk. It is just too much!

• With Friends: Never say this to your bestie. If you say 'I intend to eat pizza' using -고자 하다, they might think you have turned into a robot.
• Casual Situations: Don't use it at the convenience store or while ordering casual street food.
• With Adjectives: This rule is strictly for verbs (actions). You can't 'intend to be tall' or 'intend to be pretty' with this specific pattern.
• Past Tense Stems: You cannot attach -고자 to a past tense stem like 갔고자. It always stays in the present stem form. Your intention is for the future, after all!

Even though the formation is easy, the usage can be tricky for beginners.

1. 1Applying it to others: -고자 하다 is almost always used for the first person ('I' or 'We'). You cannot use it to describe your brother's intentions unless you are speaking very formally on his behalf.
2. 2Using past tense: Keep the stem simple. Don't add 었/았 before -고자.
3. 3Mixing it with informal endings: It feels very weird to say -고자 해. If you are formal enough for -고자, use a formal ending like 합니다.
4. 4Forgetting the space: There should be no space between the verb stem and -고자, but there is usually a space before 하다.

It is like trying to bake a cake with salt instead of sugar. The ingredients look similar, but the result is... surprising. Just keep it simple and formal!

How is this different from -려고 하다 or -고 싶다?

• vs. -고 싶다: This is just a 'want.' It is a feeling. -고자 하다 is a planned intention. 'I want to sleep' is a feeling. 'I intend to sleep' sounds like a scheduled mission.
• vs. -려고 하다: This is the most common point of confusion. -려고 하다 is for everyday plans. 'I'm planning to go to the store' is -려고 하다. -고자 하다 is for big, serious goals. Think of -려고 하다 as your daily to-do list and -고자 하다 as your five-year plan.
• vs. -기로 하다: This implies a decision or a promise has been made, often with someone else. -고자 하다 is more about your internal, professional drive.