High School - Grade 12
Lesson 3: "For the sake of..."
-(으)ㄹ/를 위해서
Expressing Formal Purpose or Benefit
You've learned `-(으)러 가다` for the purpose of movement and `-(으)려고` for general intention. `-(으)ㄹ/를 위해서` is another way to express purpose, but it carries a more formal nuance and often emphasizes the **benefit** or **sake** for which an action is performed.
It can be attached to both **nouns** and **verbs** and translates to "**for the sake of...**", "**for the benefit of...**", or simply "**for...**" / "**in order to...**" in a formal context.
The Conjugation Rules
Rule 1: Nouns
Attach the appropriate object particle (`을` or `를`) to the noun, then add `위해서`.
Noun + 을/를 위해서
가족 (consonant) 가족을 위해서
("For the sake of (my) family")
건강 (consonant) 건강을 위해서
("For the sake of (my) health")
나라 (vowel) 나라를 위해서
("For the sake of the country")
Rule 2: Verbs
Turn the verb into a noun using `-기`, then add `위해서` (sometimes with `를` particle).
Verb Stem + 기 위해서 / 기(를) 위해서
성공하다 성공하기 위해서
("In order to succeed")
살다 살기 위해서
("In order to live")
돕다 돕기 위해서
("In order to help")
(Note: The `를` particle after `-기` is often omitted in speech but is grammatically correct.)
Examples in Action
NOUN EXAMPLE
건강을 위해서 매일 운동을 해요.
I exercise every day for the sake of my health.
NOUN EXAMPLE
가족을 위해서 열심히 일해요.
I work hard for my family.
VERB EXAMPLE
한국어를 배우기 위해서 한국에 왔어요.
I came to Korea in order to learn Korean.
(Compare with: 한국어를 배우려고 한국에 왔어요. - `위해서` sounds slightly more formal/purposeful).
VERB EXAMPLE
돈을 벌기 위해서 아르바이트를 해요.
I work part-time in order to earn money.
Formality Note:
`-(으)ㄹ/를 위해서` is generally used in more formal writing or speech compared to `-(으)려고` or `-(으)러 가다`. It emphasizes the goal or beneficiary of the action.
Coming Up Next...
Expressing purpose formally is a great skill! Next, let's learn how to express regret about something you did (or didn't do) in the past using `-(으)ㄹ 걸 그랬다`.