게 (purpose result) - So That, In Order To

This pattern connects two separate clauses into one logical sentence. The first clause is the goal or the desired outcome. The second clause is the action you take to reach it. You simply attach 게 to the verb or adjective stem of the first clause. It does not matter if the stem ends in a vowel or a consonant. This makes it one of the easiest patterns to conjugate. It acts like a glue that explains the "why" of your behavior. For example, you might speak loudly so your grandmother can hear. Or you might study hard so you can pass the exam. It creates a clear cause-and-effect relationship in your speech. It is like a grammar traffic light guiding the flow of your thoughts.

1. 1Forming this is easier than making instant noodles. You do not need to worry about complex irregulars here. Follow these two simple steps:
2. 2Take any verb or adjective stem.
3. 3Add 게 directly to the end of that stem.
4. 4Let's look at some quick examples:
5. 5가다 (to go) becomes 가게.
6. 6먹다 (to eat) becomes 먹게.
7. 7맵다 (to be spicy) becomes 맵게.
8. 8들리다 (to be heard) becomes 들리게.
9. 9Notice how the ㅂ irregular in 맵다 does not change? You just stick 게 right on there. It is very consistent. Even native speakers appreciate how straightforward this one is. You do not need to check a conjugation table every five minutes.

Use 게 when you want to describe a specific result you are aiming for. It is perfect for real-world scenarios. Imagine you are at a restaurant. You want your food to be spicy. You say, "Make it spicy so I can enjoy it." That "so" is your 게. Or maybe you are asking for directions. You might ask someone to speak slowly so you can understand. It is also great for giving instructions. "Move over so I can sit down." It is used frequently when the subject of the first part is different from the second. For instance, "I bought a book so my brother could study." It is the ultimate tool for being helpful or getting what you want. Think of it as the "purpose-builder" in your Korean toolkit.

Do not use 게 for things that happened in the past. You cannot say 갔게 or 먹었게. The purpose itself does not take a tense. Only the final verb at the end of the sentence shows the tense. Also, avoid using 게 when you are talking about your own strong personal intentions. If you are saying "I am going to the store to buy milk," use 려고 instead. 게 is more about the resulting state or making something possible. It is not for simple "I want to do X" plans. Also, do not use it for reasons that are out of your control. It is for intentional actions. If you use it for things like the weather, it might sound like you are a wizard controlling the rain.

One big mistake is confusing 게 with the adverb maker 게. While they look the same, their jobs are different. The adverb 게 changes an adjective into an adverb, like 빠르게 (quickly). The purpose 게 connects two whole ideas. Another mistake is putting the past tense on the first verb. Remember: the first part is always the base stem. Some people also forget that the subject can change. You can do something so that *someone else* can do something. Do not feel bad if you mix these up at first. Grammar is a marathon, not a sprint. Just keep practicing and it will click. Even the best students trip over this occasionally.

You might know 도록. It also means "so that." So, what is the difference? 도록 is like the serious older brother of 게. It is more formal and sounds much stronger. You will see 도록 in official speeches or textbooks. 게 is the friendly neighbor. It is perfect for daily conversations and casual requests. Then there is 기 위해서. This one is very formal and often used in writing. If you use 기 위해서 at a cafe, people might think you are writing a thesis. Stick to 게 for your everyday life. It sounds more natural and less like a robot. It is the goldilocks of purpose grammar—just right for most situations.