을 위해서 (eul wihaeseo) means "for, in order to".
Means 'for' or 'for the sake of' a person or cause.
Checked against the official learner dictionary from the National Institute of Korean Language
- 을 eul after a consonant, 를 reul after a vowel. 서 seo is optional.
Build it
When to use it
For someone
Doing something to help a person.
For a goal
The purpose behind what you do.
In order to
After a verb: 기 위해서 gi wihaeseo.
Before a noun
Use 위한 wihan.
Watch out
Before a noun, use 위한 wihan.
A verb needs 기 gi first.
In context
8 examples- 1
가족을 위해 일해요.
Gajogeul wihae ilhaeyo.
I work for my family.
- 2
평화를 위해서 기도해요.
Pyeonghwareul wihaeseo gidohaeyo.
I pray for peace.
- 3
아이들을 위해서 마당이 있는 집으로 이사했어요.
Aideureul wihaeseo madangi inneun jibeuro isahaesseoyo.
We moved to a house with a yard for the kids.
- 4
내일 발표를 위해 밤새 준비했어.
Naeil balpyoreul wihae bamsae junbihaesseo.
I stayed up all night getting ready for tomorrow's presentation.
- 5
건강해지기 위해서 담배를 끊었어요.
Geonganghaejigi wihaeseo dambaereul kkeuneosseoyo.
I quit smoking to get healthier.
- 6
너를 위해 준비한 선물이야.
Neoreul wihae junbihan seonmuriya.
This is a present I got for you.
- 7
꿈을 이루기 위해 열심히 하고 있어요.
Kkumeul irugi wihae yeolsimhi hago isseoyo.
I'm working hard to make my dream come true.
- 8
우리 팀을 위하여!
Uri timeul wihayeo!
To our team!
Practice
8 questions친구 + 을/를 위해서
기 위해서 vs (으)려고
Both mean "in order to". 기 위해서 sounds more formal and deliberate. (으)려고 (eu)ryeogo is the everyday one, but it can't come before a command or a suggestion:
- ✗살을 빼려고 운동하세요. sareul ppaeryeogo undonghaseyo
- ✓살을 빼기 위해서 운동하세요. sareul ppaegi wihaeseo undonghaseyo "Exercise to lose weight."
위해서 vs 때문에
위해서 is a goal you're working toward. 때문에 ttaemune is a cause behind you, and it can make the thing sound like a burden:
- 가족을 위해서 일해요. gajogeul wihaeseo ilhaeyo "I work for my family."
- 가족 때문에 일해요. gajok ttaemune ilhaeyo "I work because of my family." As if you have no choice.
The toast: 위하여!
At Korean dinners and work parties, someone raises a glass and shouts the formal form, 위하여 wihayeo, and everyone answers with it:
- 우리의 건강을 위하여! uriui geongangeul wihayeo "To our health!"
Hanja in this lesson
Words from the examples that are written with Chinese characters. Tap a character to see its page.
Look it up in the dictionary
The entry for 을 in two trusted Korean dictionaries.
