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Easy Korean - Level 3, Unit 17: In order to, For (위해 / 위해서)

In this unit, we will learn how to say you do something "for" someone, or "in order to" do something. We use the word 위해 (wi-hae) or 위해서 (wi-hae-seo). They mean the same thing, but 위해서 is slightly more common in speech.

1. Noun + 을/를 위해(서) = For [Noun]

To say you are doing something for a person or a noun, attach the object marker (을/를) and then 위해서.

  • 건강 (health) -> 건강을 위해서 (for health / for the sake of health)
  • 가족 (family) -> 가족을 위해서 (for family)

  • 저 (me) -> 저를 위해서 (for me)

  • 가족을 위해서 열심히 일해요. (I work hard for my family.)

  • 이건 너를 위해 샀어. (I bought this for you.)

2. Verb + -기 위해(서) = In order to [Verb]

To say "in order to" do a verb, you must change the verb into a noun first by adding -기, and then add 위해서.

  • 가다 (to go) -> 가기 위해서 (in order to go)
  • 살다 (to live) -> 살기 위해서 (in order to live)

  • 성공하다 (to succeed) -> 성공하기 위해서 (in order to succeed)

  • 한국에 가기 위해서 돈을 모아요. (I am saving money in order to go to Korea.)

  • 살을 빼기 위해서 운동해요. (I exercise in order to lose weight.)

위해 vs. 위한

If you want to modify a NOUN instead of an action, you change 위해 to 위한. * 이것은 건강을 위한 책이에요. (This is a book for health.) * 외국인을 위한 한국어 수업 (Korean class for foreigners)

Example Sentences

  1. 부모님을 위해서 선물을 샀어요. (I bought a gift for my parents.)
  2. 한국어를 배우기 위해서 한국에 왔어요. (I came to Korea in order to learn Korean.)
  3. 시험을 위해서 공부하고 있어요. (I am studying for the test.)