-고자: In Order To — Purpose for Speeches and Documents

-고자 packages purpose as intention — in order to / intending to — in a register that belongs on the podium and the page.

Gloss: in order to — the purpose of speeches and documents. 우리말샘 -고자 「014」: after verb stems (also 있다/없다/계시다, and after -으시-), a connective showing the speaker has the intention or desire to do that action.

What it does — purpose without café warmth

실력을 늘리고자 매일 연습합니다.
여러분께 알리고자 합니다.
문제를 해결하고자 모였습니다.
자료를 검토하고자 시간을 부탁합니다.

The first clause is the aim; what follows is what you are doing toward it. 알리고자 합니다 is a set announcement move — you will hear it in briefings more than in group chats.

Forms

Shape	Example
V-고자	배우고자, 늘리고자
V-고자 하다	설명하고자 합니다
-시고자	하시고자

It is not a free swap onto every adjective the way some purpose tools are — stick to actions you can intend.

Neighbours

Form	Feel
-으려고	everyday in order to / about to
-기 위해	purpose via -기
-고자	written / speech purpose
-기로 하다	decided plan

한국어를 배우려고 학원에 다녀요.     talk
한국어를 배우고자 이 과정에 왔습니다. speech/writing

Learners who treat -고자 as a fancier -으려고 pass quizzes and fail register: a text to a friend that says 만나고자 합니다 sounds like a press release.

When to use — and when not

Use -고자 in announcements, essays, presentations, and formal email when the purpose clause should sound deliberate.

Avoid it for casual plans (밥 먹으려고). Avoid swapping it blindly for -기로 하다 when you mean we decided. Avoid padding every English in order to with -고자 in speech — -으려고 / -려고 or -기 위해 usually fit better.

Practice: rewrite one café -으려고 sentence into a one-line announcement with -고자 합니다 and feel the coat change.