Processing keyword: ~키로 하다 [kiro hada] (Intend to, plan to)
Korean Grammar Point: ~키로 하다 [kiro hada] (Intend to, plan to)
1. Introduction
Expressing intentions or plans is essential in any language. In Korean, the grammar structure ~기로 하다 is commonly used to indicate that someone intends to do something or has decided to take a particular action. Mastering this expression will enhance your ability to communicate future plans and decisions clearly in Korean.
2. Core Grammar Explanation
Meaning and Usage
The structure ~기로 하다 expresses:
- Intention or Decision: It indicates that the speaker has decided or plans to perform a certain action.
- Resolution: It can also convey a resolution or promise to oneself or others.
Structure
To form this expression, attach -기로 하다 to the verb stem.
Formation Diagram
[Verb Stem] + 기로 하다
- [Verb Stem]: The base form of the verb without -다.
- 기로 하다: Combination of -기 (nominalizer), -로 (particle meaning "by" or "as"), and 하다 (to do).
How to Form
- Extract the Verb Stem: Remove -다 from the dictionary form.
Verb (Dictionary Form) Verb Stem 가다 (to go) 가 먹다 (to eat) 먹 공부하다 (to study) 공부하 - Add 기로 하다: Attach -기로 하다 to the verb stem.
Verb Stem + 기로 하다 Result 가 가기로 하다 가기로 하다 (decide to go) 먹 먹기로 하다 먹기로 하다 (intend to eat) 공부하 공부하기로 하다 공부하기로 하다 (plan to study) - Conjugate 하다: Conjugate 하다 according to the tense and politeness level.
Tense and Politeness Conjugation
Present Tense
| Politeness Level | Conjugation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Informal | 기로 해 | 가기로 해 |
| Polite Informal | 기로 해요 | 가기로 해요 |
| Polite Formal | 기로 합니다 | 가기로 합니다 |
Past Tense (Commonly Used)
| Politeness Level | Conjugation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Informal | 기로 했어 | 가기로 했어 |
| Polite Informal | 기로 했어요 | 가기로 했어요 |
| Polite Formal | 기로 했습니다 | 가기로 했습니다 |
Future Tense
| Politeness Level | Conjugation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Informal | 기로 할 거야 | 가기로 할 거야 |
| Polite Informal | 기로 할 거예요 | 가기로 할 거예요 |
| Polite Formal | 기로 할 것입니다 | 가기로 할 것입니다 |
3. Comparative Analysis
~기로 하다 vs. ~(으)려고 하다
Both expressions indicate an intention to do something, but there are nuances:
- ~기로 하다: Emphasizes a firm decision or agreement.
- Example: 여행을 가기로 했어요. (I have decided to go on a trip.)
- ~(으)려고 하다: Indicates a general intention or plan, possibly without firm commitment.
- Example: 여행을 가려고 해요. (I am planning to go on a trip.)
~기로 하다 vs. ~기로 결정하다
- ~기로 하다: Can be used in various contexts for decisions, both casual and formal.
- ~기로 결정하다: Specifically means "to decide to do," often used in more formal contexts.
- Example: 회의를 연기하기로 결정했습니다. (We have decided to postpone the meeting.)
4. Examples in Context
Formal Speech
- 저는 내년에 유학을 가기로 했습니다.
- I have decided to study abroad next year.
- 회의를 금요일에 열기로 했습니다.
- We have decided to hold the meeting on Friday.
Informal Speech
- 친구들과 주말에 등산하기로 했어요.
- I decided to go hiking with friends this weekend.
- 오늘부터 운동을 시작하기로 했어.
- I have decided to start exercising from today.
Written Context
- 그들은 새로운 프로젝트를 진행하기로 했다.
- They decided to proceed with a new project.
- 환경을 보호하기 위해 노력하기로 했다.
- Decided to make efforts to protect the environment.
Spoken Context
- 우리 같이 저녁 먹기로 했지?
- We agreed to have dinner together, right?
- 다음 주에 만나기로 했어요.
- We planned to meet next week.
5. Cultural Notes
Cultural Relevance
- Collective Decision-Making: In Korean culture, group decisions are significant. Using ~기로 하다 reflects a consensus or agreement within a group.
- Respect and Politeness: Proper use of speech levels when expressing decisions shows respect, an important aspect of Korean social interactions.
Levels of Politeness and Formality
- Informal: Used among close friends or peers.
- 내일부터 일찍 일어나기로 해. (Let's decide to wake up early from tomorrow.)
- Polite Informal: Common in everyday conversations.
- 다음 달에 이사하기로 했어요. (I decided to move next month.)
- Polite Formal: Used in formal settings or with superiors.
- 회의는 취소하기로 했습니다. (We have decided to cancel the meeting.)
Idiomatic Expressions
- 담배를 끊기로 하다: Decide to quit smoking.
- 목표를 이루기로 하다: Resolve to achieve a goal.
6. Common Mistakes and Tips
Error Analysis
- Forgetting the Nominalizer 기
- Incorrect: 내일 만나요로 했어요.
- Correct: 내일 만나기로 했어요.
- Tip: Always include -기 to nominalize the verb before -로 하다.
- Misconjugating 하다
- Incorrect: 공부하기로 해습니다.
- Correct: 공부하기로 했습니다.
- Tip: Ensure 하다 is correctly conjugated for the tense and politeness level.
Learning Strategies
- Associate 기로 하다 with "decide to": Think of 기로 하다 as "decide to do [verb]."
- Practice with Common Verbs: Apply the structure to frequently used verbs to build familiarity.
- Create Personal Sentences: Make sentences about your own plans to make the learning relatable.
7. Summary and Review
Key Takeaways
- Usage: ~기로 하다 is used to express a firm intention, decision, or plan.
- Formation: Attach -기로 하다 to the verb stem.
- Conjugation: Conjugate 하다 according to the tense and politeness required.
- Comparison: Differentiate from ~(으)려고 하다, which indicates a general plan or intention.
Quick Recap Quiz
- Fill in the Blank: 저는 매일 한국어를 공부___ 했어요.
- Answer: 공부하기로
- Full Sentence: 저는 매일 한국어를 공부하기로 했어요. (I decided to study Korean every day.)
- True or False: ~기로 하다 expresses a tentative plan that might change.
- Answer: False
- Explanation: ~기로 하다 expresses a firm decision or intention.
- Correct the Sentence: 우리는 영화 보기로 헤어요.
- Answer: 우리는 영화 보기로 했어요.
- Explanation: The verb 하다 should be correctly conjugated to 했어요.
By understanding and practicing ~기로 하다, you can confidently express your decisions and plans in Korean, enhancing both your spoken and written communication skills.