려고 하다 (about to/planning to) - Be About To

This pattern combines a verb with the intention marker -(으)려고 and the verb 하다 (to do). When you put them together, you get a phrase that means "to intend to do" or "to be about to do." It only works with verbs. You cannot "intend" to be an adjective, like being tall or pretty. It requires an action. The 하다 part at the end is flexible. You can conjugate it into the past tense to say "I was going to." You can use it in polite or casual forms. It is like a grammar chameleon. It fits into almost any social situation. Just remember that it is all about the subject's will. If you are using it, you are the one with the plan.

1. 1Setting this up is easier than choosing a Netflix movie. Follow these three steps:
2. 2Find the verb stem. Drop the 다 from the dictionary form.
3. 3Look at the last syllable of the stem. Does it end in a vowel? If yes, add -려고 하다. For example, 가다 (to go) becomes 가려고 해요.
4. 4Does it end in a consonant? If yes, add -으려고 하다. For example, 먹다 (to eat) becomes 먹으려고 해요.
5. 5Wait! There is a small "speed bump" here. If the stem ends in the letter ㄹ, treat it like a vowel. Do not add the extra 으. So, 만들다 (to make) becomes 만들려고 해요. Think of it like a grammar VIP pass for the letter ㄹ. It gets to skip the line.

Use this when you are talking about your immediate intentions. You are at a restaurant and the waiter approaches. You are about to order. 주문하려고 해요 (I'm about to order). It is also perfect for future plans that aren't 100% set in stone but are definitely in your head. Maybe you are thinking of buying a new phone. 핸드폰을 사려고 해요 (I'm planning to buy a phone).

You can also use it for things that are about to happen in nature. If the sky is getting dark and you see lightning, you can say 비가 오려고 해요 (It looks like it's about to rain). In this case, it's not the rain's "intention," but rather an imminent event. It is like the universe is giving you a heads-up. Use it in job interviews to discuss your goals. Use it with friends to explain why you are suddenly putting on your shoes. It is the ultimate "reason for action" grammar.

There are a few places where this grammar will trip you up. First, do not use it with imperative sentences. You cannot say "Please plan to eat!" using -(으)려고 하세요. That sounds like you are trying to control someone's thoughts. It is very awkward. Use -으세요 instead.

Second, do not use it with suggestive endings like -읍시다 or -자. You cannot say "Let's plan to go!" as 가려고 합시다. It just doesn't work. Think of it like this: -(으)려고 하다 is for stating a state of mind, not for giving orders or making group suggestions. Also, avoid using it with adjectives unless you are using a "becoming" form like -아/어지다. You can't "plan to be tall," but you can "plan to become healthy."

One of the biggest blunders is adding an extra 으 where it doesn't belong. Many learners say 가으려고 해요. This sounds like you have a bit of a glitch in your speech. If it's a vowel, keep it simple with just -려고.

Another mistake is forgetting the ㄹ rule. People often try to say 만들으려고 해요. This is a common tongue-twister that native speakers avoid. Just say 만들려고 해요. It flows much better.

Finally, don't confuse this with the simple future -(으)ㄹ 거예요. While they are similar, -(으)려고 하다 is much more focused on the *intent*. If you use it for something that is a cold, hard fact (like "The sun will rise tomorrow"), it sounds like the sun is making a conscious decision to wake up. Use it for human choices or very clear imminent signs.

How does this differ from -(으)ㄹ 거예요? The simple future is more of a statement of fact. "I will go." -(으)려고 하다 is more like "I am thinking of going" or "I am in the process of starting to go." It’s softer and more about the internal plan.

What about -(으)러 가다? That one is specifically for moving to a place to do something. "I am going to the park *to* run." -(으)려고 하다 is more general. You don't have to be moving anywhere. You can just be sitting on your sofa intending to start your homework. One is about the destination; the other is about the desire.