1. Lyrics with Romanization
널 위해서라면
[ neol wihaeseoramyeon ]
난 슬퍼도 기쁜 척 할 수가 있었어
[ nan seulpeodo gippeun cheok hal suga isseosseo ]
널 위해서라면
[ neol wihaeseoramyeon ]
난 아파도 강한 척 할 수가 있었어
[ nan apado ganghan cheok hal suga isseosseo ]
2. Analyzing the Sentence Structure & Meaning
The lyrics of “FAKE LOVE” by BTS express hiding emotions and sacrificing oneself for someone else.
Let’s break down the sentences to understand Korean sentence structure.
1) 널 위해서라면
- 널 → Shortened form of “너를” (direct object, “you”)
- 위해서라면 → “위하다” + “서” + “라면”
- 위하다: “for” / “for the sake of”
- 서: A connecting word indicating reason or purpose
- 라면: “If”
➡ Meaning: “If it’s for you” / “If it’s for your sake”
2) 난 슬퍼도 기쁜 척 할 수가 있었어
- 난 → Shortened form of “나는” (“I” as the subject)
- 슬퍼도 → “슬프다” + “도”
- 슬프다: “to be sad”
- 도: “even if” (contrast meaning)
- 기쁜 척 할 수가 있었어
- 기쁜 → Adjective form of “기쁘다” (to be happy)
- 척 하다 → “to pretend”
- 할 수가 있었다 → “was able to do”
➡ Meaning: “Even if I was sad, I could pretend to be happy.”
3) 널 위해서라면 난 아파도 강한 척 할 수가 있었어
- 널 위해서라면 → Explained above: “If it’s for you”
- 난 아파도
- 아프다: “to be in pain”
- 도: “even if”
- ➡ Meaning: “Even if I was hurt”
- 강한 척 할 수가 있었어
- 강한 → Adjective form of “강하다” (to be strong)
- 척 하다 → “to pretend”
- 할 수가 있었다 → “was able to do”
➡ Meaning: “Even if I was hurt, I could pretend to be strong.”
3. Meaning & Usage of “위해서” (Wihaeseo)
1) What Does “위해서” Mean?
“위해서” comes from “위하다”, meaning “for the sake of” or “for the benefit of” someone or something.
- 건강을 위해서 → “For health” / “To maintain health”
- 가족을 위해서 → “For family” / “To do something for the family”
- 꿈을 위해서 → “For a dream” / “To achieve a dream”
- 행복을 위해서 → “For happiness” / “To become happy”
➡ “위해서” emphasizes the purpose of an action.
2) Basic Sentences Using “위해서”
⬗ 건강을 위해서 매일 운동해요.
[ geongangeul wihaeseo maeil undonghaeyo ]
- “I exercise every day for my health.”
⬗ 가족을 위해서 열심히 일해요.
[ gajogeul wihaeseo yeolsimhi ilhaeyo ]
- “I work hard for my family.”
⬗ 꿈을 위해서 포기하지 않아요.
[ kkumeul wihaeseo pogihaji anayo ]
- “I don’t give up for my dream.”
⬗ 행복을 위해서 노력할 거예요.
[ haengbogeul wihaeseo noryeokhal geoyeyo ]
- “I will make an effort for happiness.”
➡ In these sentences, the noun before “위해서” is the purpose, and the verb after it is the action.
3) Expanded Sentences Using “위해서”
⬗ 친구를 위해서 선물을 샀어요.
[ chingureul wihaeseo seonmureul sasseoyo ]
- “I bought a gift for my friend.”
⬗ 환경을 위해서 플라스틱을 줄여야 해요.
[ hwangyeongeul wihaeseo peullaseutig-eul juryeoya haeyo ]
- “We should reduce plastic for the environment.”
⬗ 여행을 위해서 돈을 모으고 있어요.
[ yeohaengeul wihaeseo doneul mo-eugo isseoyo ]
- “I’m saving money for a trip.”
⬗ 시험을 위해서 열심히 공부하고 있어요.
[ siheomeul wihaeseo yeolsimhi gongbuhago isseoyo ]
- “I’m studying hard for the exam.”
4) Difference Between “위해서” and “기 위해서”
Korean has two ways to express purpose:
1️⃣ “Noun + 위해서” → Used after a noun to mean “for (something)”
2️⃣ “Verb + 기 위해서” → Used after a verb to mean “to do (something)”
4-1) “Noun + 위해서” (For something)
- 건강을 위해서 → “For health”
- 시험을 위해서 → “For the exam”
- 미래를 위해서 → “For the future”
✅ Example Sentences
⬗ 건강을 위해서 매일 운동해요.
- “I exercise every day for my health.”
⬗ 시험을 위해서 열심히 공부해요.
- “I study hard for the exam.”
⬗ 미래를 위해서 지금 노력하고 있어요.
- “I am making an effort now for the future.”
4-2) “Verb + 기 위해서” (To do something)
- 건강을 지키기 위해서 → “To maintain health”
- 좋은 성적을 받기 위해서 → “To get a good grade”
- 미래를 준비하기 위해서 → “To prepare for the future”
✅ Example Sentences
⬗ 건강을 지키기 위해서 매일 운동해요.
- “I exercise every day to maintain my health.”
⬗ 좋은 성적을 받기 위해서 열심히 공부해요.
- “I study hard to get a good grade.”
⬗ 미래를 준비하기 위해서 지금 노력하고 있어요.
- “I am making an effort now to prepare for the future.”
4-3) Key Differences
| Form | Usage | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| “Noun + 위해서” | Used with a noun | 건강을 위해서 운동해요. | “I exercise for my health.” |
| “Verb + 기 위해서” | Used with a verb | 건강을 지키기 위해서 운동해요. | “I exercise to maintain my health.” |
✅ “위해서” → A noun comes before it.
✅ “기 위해서” → A verb comes before it.
🔹 Extra Note: “을/를” (Object Marker)
In Korean, “을/를” marks the object of a verb.
1️⃣ Use “을” after a noun ending in a consonant.
- 건강(health) → 건강을
- 시험(exam) → 시험을
2️⃣ Use “를” after a noun ending in a vowel.
- 미래(future) → 미래를
- 친구(friend) → 친구를
✅ Example Sentences
⬗ 건강을 지키기 위해 운동해요.
⬗ 시험을 위해서 공부해요.
⬗ 미래를 준비하기 위해 계획을 세웠어요.
➡ In these sentences, “을/를” marks the noun as the object of the action.
💡 Tip: “을/를” is usually followed by a verb, showing what happens to the object.
📌 Final Summary
🔹 “위해서” is used with a noun → (For something)
🔹 “기 위해서” is used with a verb → (To do something)
🔹 “을/를” marks the object of the verb
By learning this pattern, you can make clear and natural Korean sentences! 🚀
Difference Between “위해서” and “위하여”
“위해서” and “위하여” have the same meaning, but they are used in different situations and have slightly different tones.
1. The Basic Meaning is the Same
Both come from the verb “위하다” (wihada), which means “for the sake of” or “in order to”.
✅ “위해서” and “위하여” have the same meaning.
2. Key Differences
| Comparison | 위해서 (Wihaeseo) | 위하여 (Wihayeo) |
|---|---|---|
| Tone | ✔ More casual, everyday language | ✔ More formal, written or literary language |
| Usage | ✔ Spoken language, informal writing | ✔ Official documents, speeches, literature |
| Example | 건강을 위해서 운동해요. (I exercise for my health.) | 건강을 위하여 운동합시다. (Let’s exercise for our health.) |
✅ Easy Explanation:
- “위해서” → Sounds more natural in daily conversation (casual speech).
- “위하여” → Sounds more formal, used in speeches, documents, and written texts.
3. Example Sentences
✔ Casual Situations (위해서 – Wihaeseo)
⬗ 건강을 위해서 매일 운동해요.
- “I exercise every day for my health.”
⬗ 행복을 위해서 최선을 다할 거예요.
- “I will do my best for happiness.”
⬗ 친구를 위해서 선물을 샀어요.
- “I bought a gift for my friend.”
➡ “위해서” is commonly used in daily conversations and informal writing.
✔ Formal Situations (위하여 – Wihayeo)
⬗ 국민의 건강을 위하여 금연을 권장합니다.
- “For the health of the citizens, we recommend quitting smoking.”
⬗ 평화를 위하여 우리는 함께 노력해야 합니다.
- “For peace, we must work together.”
⬗ 더 나은 미래를 위하여 교육이 중요합니다.
- “For a better future, education is important.”
➡ “위하여” is commonly used in official speeches, documents, news, and literature.
4. Conclusion: Which One Should You Use?
✅ For casual conversation → “위해서” sounds more natural.
✅ For formal expressions (documents, speeches, academic writing) → “위하여” is more appropriate.
💡 TIP:
- “위해서” sounds softer and more natural in speech.
- “위하여” sounds more polite and serious.
So, in everyday life, use “위해서”, and in formal situations, use “위하여”! 🚀
< Image Source: BTS “Fake Love” music video on YouTube.>
