~기 위해(서) / ~기 위한 / 을/를 위해(서)

This pattern attaches to a verb stem to express purpose — “in order to,” “for the sake of,” or simply “for.” The textbook citation form is ~기 위하- — structurally, the nominalizer ~기 + the verb 위하- (爲-), whose original meaning is “to serve, to devote oneself.”

Tense restriction: Tense cannot be marked before ~기. The pattern stays in dictionary form; any past, future, or progressive tense lives on the main clause’s verb, never on ~기 위하-.

Three surface forms (the verb 위하- never appears as ~기 위하다 directly — it always takes one of three derived endings):

1. ~기 위해서 — with the causal connective ~아/어서 (§7.1.1). Attaches to a clause. The most common form in modern Korean.
2. ~기 위해 / ~기 위하여 — with the causal connective ~아/어 (§7.1.2). Equivalent to ~기 위해서. ~기 위하여 is more formal and literary.
3. ~기 위한 — with the modifier ending ~(으)ㄴ (§8.1.3). Must be followed directly by a noun.

Use 1 — Clause-attaching (~기 위해서, ~기 위해, ~기 위하여)

These forms are followed by a sentence-like clause: “In order to do X, do Y.”

• 세계평화를 이루기 위해서 오래 싸워야 돼요. (In order to achieve world peace, we must struggle for a long time.)
• 나라를 구하기 위하여 몸을 바친 사람들이 정말 훌륭해요. (Those who offered their lives for the sake of the country are truly great.)

Use 2 — Noun-attaching (~기 위한)

This form takes the modifier ending ~(으)ㄴ and must be followed directly by a noun. The nouns that follow are typically those that describe efforts, methods or plans:

• 꿈을 실현하기 위한 계획을 세우면 꿈이 이루어질 거예요. (If you make a plan for realizing your dreams, then your dreams will come true.)
• 1904년 유신회라는 단체를 만들어 나라를 구하기 위한 활동을 했어요. (In 1904 he founded a group called Yushinhoe and engaged in activities aimed at saving the country.)

Common follow-on nouns: 계획 (plan), 방법 (method), 노력 (effort), 활동 (activity), 방안 (scheme/measure), 정책 (policy), 운동 (movement).

Use 3 — Direct noun attachment (을/를 위해(서))

위하- can also attach directly to a noun, with the object particle 을/를, instead of to a verb. The meaning is “for [the sake of] [noun]”:

• 건강을 위해서 날마다 운동을 해요. (I exercise every day for my health.)
• 가난한 이웃을 위해 돈을 모읍시다. (Let’s collect money for our poor neighbors.)

How to attach it:

• Verb stem + ~기 위해서 / ~기 위해 / ~기 위하여 (clause-attaching)

  • 이루다 → 이루기 위해서
  • 구하다 → 구하기 위해
  • 실현하다 → 실현하기 위하여 (formal/literary)

• Verb stem + ~기 위한 + noun (noun-modifying)

  • 실현하다 → 꿈을 실현하기 위한 계획
  • 구하다 → 나라를 구하기 위한 활동

• Noun + 을/를 + 위해서 / 위해 (direct noun attachment)

  • 건강 → 건강을 위해서
  • 이웃 → 가난한 이웃을 위해

Polite form: the surrounding clause carries politeness, not 위하- itself. ~기 위해서 + 운동을 해요 (polite ending on the main verb).

Compared to ~(으)려고: Both translate as “in order to” in English, but they emphasize different things. ~기 위해서 emphasizes the goal or beneficiary — “for the purpose of [achieving X].” ~(으)려고 emphasizes the intention or plan — “with the intent of doing X.” ~기 위해서 reads as more formal and works in writing; ~(으)려고 is more conversational and personal. The textbook doesn’t draw this distinction in §2.2.4.7 — this is a learner-oriented synthesis.

Tip: ~기 위해서 is the workhorse form in modern Korean. ~기 위하여 sounds formal and literary — common in news, speeches, and academic writing. ~기 위해 is in between, used in both registers. For learners, defaulting to ~기 위해서 is a safe choice; recognize ~기 위하여 when reading op-eds, historical writing, or formal speeches. The 을/를 위해(서) form is everyday — you’ll hear it constantly in toasts (건강을 위해서!), corporate slogans (고객을 위해), and personal motivations (가족을 위해).