urineun yaksogeul jikiryeogo noryeokhae.

We try to keep our promises.

Breakdown of urineun yaksogeul jikiryeogo noryeokhae.

• ~을: object particle
• ~는: topic particle
• 우리: we
• 약속: promise
• 지키다: to keep
• ~려고: in order to
• 노력하다: to try

Questions & Answers about urineun yaksogeul jikiryeogo noryeokhae.

What does the ending -려고 mean and how is it working here?

-(으)려고 attaches to a verb stem to express intention or purpose, roughly “in order to” or “with the aim of.”

• 지키- + -(으)려고 → 지키려고 = “in order to keep.”
  In this sentence, 지키려고 forms a purpose clause that explains why the subject 노력해 (“makes an effort/tries”).

Is 지키려고 노력해 redundant since 노력하다 already means “to try”?

Not redundant—this is a very natural collocation.

• 노력하다 = to make an effort (general).
• V-(으)려고 노력하다 = to make an effort with the specific aim of doing V (stronger/more deliberate than just V-(으)려고 하다 “intend/try to”).
  Compare:
• 약속을 지키려고 해 = “I’m trying/intend to keep (a promise).”
• 약속을 지키려고 노력해 = “I’m making a real effort to keep (a promise).”

Why is it 우리는 and not 우리가?

• 는/은 marks a topic (as for us), often used for general statements or contrast.
• 가/이 marks the grammatical subject and tends to focus/emphasize who does the action.
  So:
• 우리는 약속을… = “As for us, we…” (neutral/generic).
• 우리가 약속을… = “We (as opposed to others)…” (emphasis on “we”).

What does the 을 in 약속을 do?

을/를 is the object marker. It marks 약속 (“promise/appointment”) as the thing being kept. Use 을 after a final consonant (약속), 를 after a vowel.

Can I drop 우리는 and/or 약속을?

Yes. Korean often omits predictable elements. All are possible depending on context:

• 약속(을) 지키려고 노력해(요).
• 우리는 약속 지키려고 노력해(요). (object particle often dropped in speech)
• If context is clear, even 지키려고 노력해(요). can work.

Is 노력해 polite enough? When should I use 노력해요 or 노력합니다?

• 노력해: casual (to friends, younger people).
• 노력해요: polite informal (safe default for most situations).
• 노력합니다: formal polite (presentations, announcements, business).
  If you need a humble “we,” use 저희는 instead of 우리는 in polite contexts.

How would I make this respectful toward the subject (honorifics)?

Add the honorific -시- to the verb if the subject deserves respect (not yourself/your group):

• 선생님들은 약속을 지키려고 노력하세요. (polite)
• 선생님들은 약속을 지키려고 노력하십니다. (formal)

Can I change the word order?

Korean is flexible with order, though the verb normally comes last. All of these are fine:

• 우리는 약속을 지키려고 노력해. (base)
• 약속을 우리는 지키려고 노력해.
• 우리는 지키려고 노력해, 약속을. (spoken emphasis)
  Keep 지키려고 attached to what it modifies (the action of 지키다).

How do I pronounce the whole sentence?

Approximate RR romanization: urineun yaksogeul jikiryeogo noryeokhae.
Helpful phonetic notes:

• 약속을 often sounds like [약소글] due to liaison of ㄱ.
• 노력해 often sounds like [노려캐] (ㅎ causes aspiration of the preceding ㄱ).
  Natural flow matters more than perfect IPA at this stage.

Are the spaces written correctly?

Yes: 우리는 | 약속을 | 지키려고 | 노력해.

• Particles (는, 을) attach to the noun.
• Verb endings (-려고) attach to the verb stem.
• 노력해 is one word (stem + ending).

What are the dictionary forms here?

• 우리(는) → pronoun “we” (+ topic marker).
• 약속(을) → noun “promise/appointment” (+ object marker).
• 지키다 → “to keep/guard/observe.”
• 노력하다 → “to make an effort.”
  Conjugation: 노력하다 → 노력해(요) (하다 → 해요 style).

How do I change the tense/aspect?

• Past: 우리는 약속을 지키려고 노력했어/노력했어요.
• Progressive: … 노력하고 있어(요). (“are trying” right now)
• Future (plan): … 노력할 거야/노력할 거예요.
• Promise/commitment: … 노력할게(요).
• Formal vow: … 노력하겠습니다.

Are there other natural ways to say “try to keep (promises)”?

Yes, with slight nuance differences:

• 약속을 지키려고 애써(요). (put in effort; a bit more emotive)
• 약속을 지키도록 노력해(요). (work so that it is kept; outcome-oriented)
• 약속을 지키기 위해 노력해(요). (for the sake of keeping; a bit formal)
  Avoid overusing 시도하다 with verb clauses in conversation; it sounds technical.

Does 약속 mean “promise” or “appointment”?

Both. In 약속을 지키다, it can mean:

• Keep a promise (not break your word).
• Keep an appointment (show up on time).
  Opposites: 약속을 어기다 (break a promise), 약속을 취소하다 (cancel an appointment).

Can I say 지키려 노력해 instead of 지키려고 노력해?

Yes, -려 is a shortened/literary form of -려고. 약속을 지키려 노력해 is fine, a bit more concise and seen more in writing.

How do I negate it or soften/strengthen it?

• Negation: 우리는 약속을 지키려고 노력하지 않아(요).
• Softening: 최대한 노력해(요). / 정말 노력해(요).
• Strong resolve: 반드시 약속을 지키려고 노력할게(요).