Korean Grammar Point
~도록 하다 [dorok hada] (To try to, to make sure to)

~도록 하다 [dorok hada] (To try to, to make sure to)

Short explanation:

Used to express the intention of making something happen or an effort to ensure something.

Formation:

Verb-기 / Noun + 도록 하다

Examples:

우리는 우리의 직원들이 충분한 휴식을 취하도록 해야 합니다. 그렇게 하지 않으면 그들의 효율성이 줄어들 수 있습니다.
Urineun uriui jikwon-deuri chungbunhan hyusigeul chwihadorok haeya habnida. Geureoke haji anheumyeon geudeurui hyoyulseongi jeur-eodeul su issseubnida.
We should ensure our employees take enough rest. If not, their efficiency might decrease.
생일 파티를 계획하면서 모든 것이 완벽하게 되도록 해야 해요. 아무래도 그것은 아버지의 특별한 날이니까요.
Saeng-il patireul gyehoekhamyeonseo modeun geosi wanbyeokhage doedorok haeya haeyo. Amuraedo geugeoseun abeojiui teugbyeolhan narinikka yo.
While planning the birthday party, I need to make sure that everything is perfect. After all, it's dad's special day.
반장으로서, 나는 모든 학생들이 숙제를 완료하도록 해야 합니다. 그럼 선생님은 우리에게 불만을 가질 이유가 없을 거예요.
Banjang-euroseo, naneun modeun haksaengdeuri sukje-reul wanryohadorok haeya habnida. Geureom seonsaengnimeun uriege bulmaneul gajil iyuga eobseul geo yeyo.
As a class president, I have to make sure all students complete their homework. Then, the teacher won’t have a reason to be dissatisfied with us.
고객이 우리의 제품에 만족하도록 최선을 다해야 합니다. 그렇게 하면 우리의 비즈니스가 성장할 수 있을 것입니다.
Gogaegie uriui jepum-e manjokhadorok choeseoneul dahaya habnida. Geureoke hamyeon uriui bijeuniseuga seongjanghal su isseul geosibnida.
We must do our best to ensure the customer is satisfied with our product. By doing so, our business can grow.

Long explanation:

'~도록 하다' is a commonly used grammar point in Korean that means 'to try to' or 'to make sure to'. It's used when the subject tries to ensure that certain action happens, indicating an effort or control on the part of the subject to make the event or situation occur. When used with a verb, it implies that the subject is making an effort to fulfill that action.

Detailed Grammar notes:

Processing keyword: ~도록 하다 [dorok hada] (To try to, to make sure to)

Korean Grammar Point: ~도록 하다 [dorok hada] (To try to, to make sure to)

~도록 하다 [dorok hada] (To try to, to make sure to)

1. Introduction

The Korean grammar pattern ~도록 하다 is a versatile expression used to indicate making an effort to do something or ensuring that something happens. It often translates to "to try to" or "to make sure to" in English. This grammar point is essential for forming polite requests, giving instructions, or expressing one's determination to accomplish a task.


2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

  • ~도록 하다 is used to:
    • Express an intention to make an effort to perform an action.
    • Give polite instructions or commands.
    • Ensure that a particular action is carried out.

Structure

The basic structure of ~도록 하다 is:

[Verb Stem] + 도록 하다
  • Verb Stem: The base form of the verb with the ending -다 removed.

Formation Diagram

Component Example Explanation
Verb (Infinitive) 가다 (to go) Base verb
Verb Stem Remove -다 from 가다
+ 도록 하다 가도록 하다 Attach 도록 하다 to verb stem

Conjugation Examples

Infinitive Verb Verb Stem + 도록 하다 Meaning
먹다 (to eat) 먹도록 하다 Try to eat / Make sure to eat
공부하다 (to study) 공부하 공부하도록 하다 Try to study / Make sure to study
듣다 (to listen) 듣도록 하다 Try to listen / Make sure to listen

3. Comparative Analysis

Comparing ~도록 하다 with Similar Grammar Points

~려고 하다 (To intend to)

  • Meaning: Indicates an intention or plan to do something.
  • Usage: Focuses on the subject's own intention.

~도록 하다

  • Meaning: Emphasizes making an effort or ensuring an action is completed.
  • Usage: Often used when advising or instructing someone. Comparison Table
    Grammar Pattern Meaning Example Translation
    ~려고 하다 Intend to 집에 가려고 해요. I plan to go home.
    ~도록 하다 Try to / Make sure 집에 가도록 하세요. Please make sure to go home.

4. Examples in Context

Sentence Examples

Formal Situations

  1. 회의 시간에 늦지 않도록 하세요.
    • Please make sure not to be late for the meeting.
  2. 건강을 위해 매일 운동하도록 합시다.
    • Let's try to exercise every day for our health.

Informal Situations

  1. 내일 일찍 일어나도록 해.
    • Try to wake up early tomorrow.
  2. 약속을 잊지 않도록 하자.
    • Let's make sure not to forget the appointment.

Written Context

  1. 학생들은 규칙을 잘 지키도록 합니다.
    • Students make sure to follow the rules well.
  2. 환경 보호를 위해 노력하도록 하겠습니다.
    • I will try to make efforts to protect the environment.

Spoken Context

  1. 길을 조심해서 건너도록 해요.
    • Please make sure to cross the street carefully.
  2. 이 문서를 오늘까지 제출하도록 하세요.
    • Please make sure to submit this document by today.

5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

  • Politeness Levels: In Korean culture, giving instructions or commands requires careful consideration of the listener's status. Using ~도록 하다 allows the speaker to give directives politely.
  • Collective Responsibility: Phrases like 노력하도록 합시다 (Let's try to make an effort) reflect the communal aspect of Korean society.

Idiomatic Expressions

  • 잠을 충분히 자도록 하세요.
    • Make sure to get enough sleep.
  • This emphasizes the importance of health and well-being in Korean culture.

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

  1. Using the Infinitive Form Instead of Verb Stem
    • Incorrect: 먹다도록 하세요.
    • Correct: 먹도록 하세요.
    • Always remove -다 to form the verb stem before adding 도록 하다.
  2. **Confusing ~도록 하다 with ~도록
    • ~도록 alone means "so that" or "in order to," which can change the sentence meaning.
    • Example:
      • 공부하도록 하세요. (Please make sure to study.)
      • 공부하도록 열심히 해야 해요. (You have to work hard so that you can study.)

Learning Strategies

  • Mnemonic Tip: Think of 도록 하다 as setting something "to do" — you're programming yourself or others to ensure an action is done.
  • Practice: Create sentences using daily activities to become familiar with the structure.

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

  • ~도록 하다 is used to express trying to do something or making sure an action is performed.
  • It is formed by attaching 도록 하다 to the verb stem.
  • Useful for polite instructions, suggestions, and expressing determination.

Quick Recap Quiz

  1. Fill in the blank: Please make sure to finish the work.
    일을 끝내______ 하세요.
    • Answer: 일을 끝내도록 하세요.
  2. True or False: ~도록 하다 can be used to express one's intention or plan to do something.
    • Answer: False. (~도록 하다 is for making an effort or ensuring an action, whereas ~려고 하다 expresses intention.)
  3. Correct the mistake: 내일 만나도록 해다.
    • Answer: 내일 만나도록 해.

Feel free to practice by creating your own sentences using ~도록 하다 to reinforce your understanding of this grammar point!

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