Processing keyword: ~키로 하다 [kiro hada] (Intend to, plan to)

Korean Grammar Point: ~키로 하다 [kiro hada] (Intend to, plan to)

Grammar Point: ~기로 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

1. 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

2. 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)

3. Conjugate 하다: Conjugate 하다 according to the tense and politeness level.

Tense and Politeness Conjugation

Present Tense

Past Tense (Commonly Used)

Future Tense

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

1. 저는 내년에 유학을 가기로 했습니다.
   • I have decided to study abroad next year.
2. 회의를 금요일에 열기로 했습니다.
   • We have decided to hold the meeting on Friday.

Informal Speech

1. 친구들과 주말에 등산하기로 했어요.
   • I decided to go hiking with friends this weekend.
2. 오늘부터 운동을 시작하기로 했어.
   • I have decided to start exercising from today.

Written Context

1. 그들은 새로운 프로젝트를 진행하기로 했다.
   • They decided to proceed with a new project.
2. 환경을 보호하기 위해 노력하기로 했다.
   • Decided to make efforts to protect the environment.

Spoken Context

1. 우리 같이 저녁 먹기로 했지?
   • We agreed to have dinner together, right?
2. 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

1. Forgetting the Nominalizer 기
   • Incorrect: 내일 만나요로 했어요.
   • Correct: 내일 만나기로 했어요.
   • Tip: Always include -기 to nominalize the verb before -로 하다.
2. 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

1. 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.)
2. True or False: ~기로 하다 expresses a tentative plan that might change.
   • Answer: False
   • Explanation: ~기로 하다 expresses a firm decision or intention.
3. 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.