-도록

First attested in the Seokbo sangjeol (釋譜詳節 / 석보상절), 1447, as Middle Korean ᄃᆞ〮록〮 (Yale: -tólwók). The suffix also appeared as the modern form 도〮록〮 (Yale: -twólwók) as far back as in the fifteenth century.

The Idu spelling 巴只 (*-twolwok) is attested from earlier.

• (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key):
• Phonetic hangul:

도록 • (-dorok)

1. so that, so as to: a suffix used to indicate a purpose, goal of a certain action.

   죄송합니다. 앞으로 늦지 않도록 하겠습니다!

   Joesonghamnida. apeuro neutji antorok ha-get-seumnida!

   I apologize. From now on, I will try (so as) not to be late!

   우리도 들을 수 있도록 말 좀 크게 해...

   Uri-do deureul su itdorok mal jom keu-ge hae...

   Speak up so that we can also hear you...

2. to: a suffix used to show a degree, extent of an action.

   노래를 죽도록 불렀어요.

   Norae-reul jukdorok bulleosseoyo.

   I sang to death.

3. until: a suffix used to indicate that an action lasted until a certain point in time (likely until a certain state has nearly finished).

   밤늦도록 ― bamneutdorok ― until late at night

   밤새도록 ― bamsaedorok ― until the morning came

4. a plain-style imperative suffix.

• 도록 (-dorok) is more common in the written language.
• 도록 (-dorok) is mostly interchangeable with 게 (-ge) with no significant difference in meaning except in the third sense, where 게 (-ge) would be considered grammatically incorrect.

• 게 (-ge), 게끔 (-gekkeum), 게시리 (-gesiri)