A2 · Elemental Capítulo 7

Wants, Abilities, and Goals

7 Reglas totales
77 ejemplos
5 min
Reglas en este capítulo Práctica rápida

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of expressing your personal desires, capabilities, and intentions in natural Korean.

  • Express your heartfelt wishes using the '-고 싶다' pattern.
  • Describe your skills and limitations with '-(으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다'.
  • Explain your purpose for travel or actions using '-(으)러' and '-(으)려고'.
Speak your mind and share your journey in Korean.

Lo que aprenderás

Hey Korean learner! Ready to level up your conversations? You've got the basics down, and now it's time to make your Korean sound much more natural and expressive. This chapter is exactly what you need! In this section, you'll learn how to talk about your desires and what you want to do. With the '-고 싶다' grammar (meaning 'I want to...'), you can easily turn any action verb into a heartfelt wish. Imagine you're at a restaurant and want to say, 'I want to eat kimchi,' or planning with friends, 'I want to go to that band's concert.' See how easily you can convey your feelings? Next, we'll dive into expressing what you 'can' or 'cannot' do. Using the (으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다 pattern, you can articulate your abilities. For example, 'I can speak Korean' or 'I can't play this game.' These phrases are incredibly useful for introducing yourself, asking for help, or politely declining something in daily situations. Finally, we'll tackle purpose and intention. With the (으)러 가다/오다 grammar (meaning 'to go/come to do something') and (으)려고 (meaning 'intending to...'), you'll learn to explain why you're going somewhere or why you're doing something. For instance, 'I'm going to the market to shop' or 'I intend to study Korean.' These patterns help you show your thought process within sentences, making your conversations much richer. By the end of this chapter, you'll confidently be able to say what you want, what you're capable of, and what your purpose is behind your actions. Your conversations will gain so much life, and you'll be able to express your desires and abilities in Korean more easily in various situations. Ready? Let's go!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Express personal wants and abilities in a travel context.

Guía del capítulo

Overview

Welcome, Korean language learner, to a pivotal chapter that will significantly enhance your conversational abilities! This guide is designed for A2 Korean grammar students ready to move beyond basic sentences and express themselves more naturally. In this section, we'll unlock the secrets to talking about your wants, abilities, and goals – crucial elements for engaging in everyday conversations.
Mastering these patterns will allow you to articulate desires like
I want to eat,
state your capabilities such as
I can speak Korean,
and explain your intentions, like "I'm going to the library to study." This isn't just about memorizing rules; it's about gaining fluency and confidence in real-world scenarios.
Understanding these Korean grammar structures is essential for anyone aiming to sound more like a native speaker. They are frequently used in daily interactions, from ordering food to making plans with friends or explaining your actions. By the end of this chapter, you'll be able to express a much wider range of thoughts and feelings, making your Korean language learning journey even more rewarding.
Get ready to transform your basic sentences into rich, expressive statements that truly reflect what you mean. Let's dive into these fundamental A2 Korean expressions!

How This Grammar Works

This chapter introduces three core Korean grammar concepts that will dramatically expand your conversational range. First, expressing desires is made simple with the -고 싶다 pattern, meaning 'I want to do...'. You attach -고 싶다 directly to the stem of an action verb.
For example, if the verb is 먹다 (to eat), it becomes 먹고 싶다 (I want to eat). If it's 가다 (to go), it's 가고 싶다 (I want to go). This is straightforward and widely applicable.
Next, we tackle abilities using the (으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다 pattern, meaning 'can' or 'cannot'. This structure is attached to a verb stem. If the verb stem ends in a vowel, you add -ㄹ 수 있다/없다.
For example, 하다 (to do) becomes 할 수 있다 (can do). If the verb stem ends in a consonant, you add -을 수 있다/없다. For instance, 읽다 (to read) becomes 읽을 수 있다 (can read).
Similarly, 할 수 없다 means 'cannot do' and 읽을 수 없다 means 'cannot read'.
Finally, we explore expressing purpose and intention. The (으)러 가다/오다 grammar indicates 'to go/come to do something'. You attach -러 to a verb stem ending in a vowel (e.g., 보러 가다 - to go to see) and -으러 to a verb stem ending in a consonant (e.g., 먹으러 오다 - to come to eat).
This is always paired with a verb of movement like 가다 (to go) or 오다 (to come). For general intention, we use (으)려고, meaning 'intending to...'. Like the ability pattern, if the verb stem ends in a vowel, you add -려고 (e.g., 보려고 - intending to see), and if it ends in a consonant, you add -으려고 (e.g., 먹으려고 - intending to eat).
This pattern can stand alone or be followed by another clause. Mastering these A2 Korean grammar points will significantly improve your expressive power.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: 저는 커피 싶어요. (I coffee want.)
✓ Correct: 저는 커피를 마시고 싶어요. (I want to drink coffee.)
*Explanation:* The -고 싶다 pattern attaches to a verb stem. You cannot attach it directly to a noun. You need to use an appropriate action verb like 마시다 (to drink) or 가지다 (to have).
  1. 1✗ Wrong: 한국어를 말 수 있어요. (I can speak Korean.)
✓ Correct: 한국어를 말할 수 있어요. (I can speak Korean.)
*Explanation:* When using (으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다, if the verb stem ends in a vowel (like 말하- from 말하다), you must use -ㄹ 수 있다/없다. Don't forget the ㄹ!
  1. 1✗ Wrong: 공부하려고 도서관에 가요. (I go to the library intending to study.) - grammatically okay but less natural for purpose of movement
✓ Correct: 공부하러 도서관에 가요. (I go to the library to study.)
*Explanation:* While (으)려고 expresses intention, (으)러 가다/오다 is specifically used when the purpose is directly tied to the action of going or coming. (으)러 is more natural for explaining the reason for movement.

Real Conversations

A

A

오늘 저녁에 뭐 먹고 싶어요? (What do you want to eat for dinner tonight?)
B

B

음... 비빔밥 먹고 싶어요! (Hmm... I want to eat bibimbap!)
A

A

한국어 할 수 있어요? (Can you speak Korean?)
B

B

네, 조금 할 수 있어요. (Yes, I can speak a little.)
A

A

지금 어디 가요? (Where are you going now?)
B

B

책을 빌리러 도서관에 가요. (I'm going to the library to borrow a book.)

Quick FAQ

Q

How is -고 싶다 different from just saying I want [noun] in Korean?

-고 싶다 specifically expresses the desire to *perform an action* (e.g., 먹고 싶다 -

I want to *eat*
). To say I want [noun], you typically use (을/를) 원하다 or simply state the noun with (을/를) 가지고 싶다 (I want to have [noun]), but -고 싶다 is strictly for verbs.

Q

Can (으)ㄹ 수 있다 be used to express possibility in general, not just personal ability?

Yes, (으)ㄹ 수 있다 can also indicate general possibility or feasibility. For example, 내일 비가 올 수 있어요 (It might rain tomorrow / It's possible it will rain tomorrow). This expands its use beyond just what *you* can do.

Q

What's the main difference between (으)러 가다/오다 and (으)려고?

(으)러 가다/오다 is specifically used to state the *purpose of going or coming* to a location (e.g., 커피 마시러 카페에 가요 - I go to the cafe *to drink coffee*). (으)려고 expresses a broader intention or plan, which doesn't necessarily involve movement (e.g., 한국어를 공부하려고 노력해요 - I try *to study Korean*).

Cultural Context

In Korean culture, directly stating I want with -고 싶다 is common and perfectly polite. However, when offering something or making suggestions, it's often softened. For abilities, (으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다 is frequently used for self-introduction or when politely declining.
The purpose expressions (으)러 가다/오다 and (으)려고 are integral to daily conversation, providing clarity on one's actions or plans, making interactions smooth and understandable.

Ejemplos clave (8)

1

주말에 영화 보고 싶어요.

Quiero ver una película el fin de semana.

-고 싶다 (Querer hacer): Expresar tus deseos
2

아이스 아메리카노 마시고 싶어.

Quiero beber un Americano helado.

-고 싶다 (Querer hacer): Expresar tus deseos
3

한국에 가고 싶어요.

Quiero ir a Corea.

Decir 'quiero...': El patrón ~고 싶다
4

지금 떡볶이 먹고 싶어.

Quiero comer tteokbokki ahora.

Decir 'quiero...': El patrón ~고 싶다
5

지금 통화할 수 있어?

¿Puedes hablar por teléfono ahora?

Poder / No poder ((으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다)
6

매운 음식을 먹을 수 있어요?

¿Puedes comer comida picante?

Poder / No poder ((으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다)
7

내일 파티에 갈 수 없어요.

No puedo ir a la fiesta mañana.

Poder y No Poder en Coreano: El patrón ㄹ/을 수 있다/없다
8

저는 한국어를 조금 할 수 있습니다.

Puedo hablar un poco de coreano.

Poder y No Poder en Coreano: El patrón ㄹ/을 수 있다/없다

Consejos y trucos (4)

💡

El atajo para decir 'Te extraño'

보고 싶다 significa literalmente quiero verte, pero es la forma estándar que usan los coreanos para decir te extraño: «정말 보고 싶다.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: -고 싶다 (Querer hacer): Expresar tus deseos
🎯

El truco para decir 'Te extraño'

En coreano no hay un verbo único para extrañar. Simplemente di «보고 싶어» que significa literalmente 'quiero verte'.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Decir 'quiero...': El patrón ~고 싶다
⚠️

¡Ojo con el espacio!

Siempre se escribe 수 있다, nunca 수있다. La palabra 수 es un sustantivo que significa 'método' o 'forma', ¡así que necesita su propio espacio! Por ejemplo: «할 수 있어요.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Poder / No poder ((으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다)
⚠️

¡Cuidado con el espacio!

Siempre debes dejar un espacio antes de la palabra '수'. Escribirlo todo pegado como «할수있어요» es un error gramatical común.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Poder y No Poder en Coreano: El patrón ㄹ/을 수 있다/없다

Vocabulario clave (5)

먹다 (meokda) to eat 가다 (gada) to go 한국어 (hangugeo) Korean language 배우다 (baeuda) to learn 수영하다 (suyeonghada) to swim

Real-World Preview

coffee

Planning a Weekend

Review Summary

  • Verb stem + -고 싶다
  • Verb stem + (으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다
  • Verb stem + (으)러 가다/오다
  • Verb stem + (으)려고 하다

Errores comunes

Confusing desire (-고 싶다) with ability (-(으)ㄹ 수 있다).

Wrong: 저는 한국어를 말하고 싶어요 (I want to speak Korean - grammatically okay, but contextually awkward if you mean 'I can speak')
Correcto: 저는 한국어를 말할 수 있어요

Using intention (-(으)려고) instead of purpose (-(으)러) with movement verbs.

Wrong: 공부하려고 가요
Correcto: 공부하러 가요

Using the 3rd person form (-고 싶어하다) for yourself.

Wrong: 먹고 싶어해요
Correcto: 먹고 싶어요

Reglas en este capítulo (7)

1

-고 싶다 (Querer hacer): Expresar tus deseos

A2
Convierte cualquier acción en un deseo simplemente quitando '다' y añadiendo «-고 싶다» a la raíz del verbo.
주말에 영화 보고 싶어요.
12 ejemplos
2

Decir 'quiero...': El patrón ~고 싶다

A2
Solo tienes que añadir «~고 싶다» a la raíz de cualquier verbo para expresar tus deseos.
한국에 가고 싶어요.
12 ejemplos
3

Poder / No poder ((으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다)

A2
Usa «(으)ㄹ 수 있다» para decir que PUEDES hacer algo, y cambia a «(으)ㄹ 수 없다» cuando NO PUEDES.
지금 통화할 수 있어?
11 ejemplos
4

Poder y No Poder en Coreano: El patrón ㄹ/을 수 있다/없다

A2
Usa la estructura «ㄹ/을 수 있다/없다» para hablar de tus habilidades o de lo que es posible hacer.
내일 파티에 갈 수 없어요.
10 ejemplos
5

Ir a hacer: (으)러

A2
Usa «(으)러» junto a «가다» o «오다» para decir que vas a algún sitio específicamente para hacer algo.
Chingu mannareo kape-e gayo.
10 ejemplos
6

Ir a hacer algo (-(으)러 가다/오다)

A2
Conecta un verbo de acción con uno de movimiento para explicar exactamente a qué vas a un lugar usando propósito y movimiento.
친구를 만나러 카페에 가요.
11 ejemplos
7

Con la intención de... (으)려고

A2
Usa «(으)려고» para conectar tus sueños con tus acciones, marcando tu intención personal en cada frase.
한국 친구랑 이야기하려고 한국어를 배워요.
11 ejemplos

Next Steps

You've leveled up! Use these new patterns to connect with Korean speakers and share your world. See you in the next chapter!

Write 5 sentences about what you can do and what you want to do this weekend.

Continue to: Life Experiences and Trying Things

Práctica rápida (10)

Encuentra y corrige el error de espacio en esta frase.

Find and fix the mistake:

오늘 만날수 없어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 오늘 만날 수 없어요.
'수' es un sustantivo independiente, por lo que siempre debe haber un espacio antes de él.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Poder y No Poder en Coreano: El patrón ㄹ/을 수 있다/없다

Encuentra y corrige el error en la frase.

Find and fix the mistake:

친구를 만드려고 파티에 갔어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 만들려고
Para verbos irregulares en 'ㄹ' como '만들다', simplemente añades '려고' directamente a la raíz.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Con la intención de... (으)려고

¿Qué frase dice correctamente 'Fui a comer'?

Elige la opción correcta:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 밥 먹으러 갔어요.
먹 termina en consonante, por lo que usamos 으러. Nunca conjugues el primer verbo en pasado.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Ir a hacer: (으)러

Completa la frase para que signifique 'Puedo leer Hangul'.

저는 한글을 ___ 수 있어요. (읽다 - leer)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 읽을
Como 읽다 termina en consonante (batchim), añadimos 을 antes de 수 있다.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Poder / No poder ((으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다)

Rellena el espacio con la forma correcta de '읽다' (leer).

책을 ____ 도서관에 갔어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 읽으려고
Como '읽다' tiene batchim, añadimos '으려고' para mostrar la intención.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Con la intención de... (으)려고

Encuentra el error en la siguiente frase.

한국어를 공부하러 책을 샀어요. (Compré un libro para estudiar coreano.)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Cambia 공부하러 por 공부하려고
샀어요 (compré) no es un verbo de movimiento. Aquí debes usar (으)려고.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Ir a hacer: (으)러

Rellena el espacio con la forma correcta.

저는 피아노를 ___ 수 있어요. (치다)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 칠
치다 (tocar) termina en vocal, así que añadimos 'ㄹ' directamente a la raíz.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Poder y No Poder en Coreano: El patrón ㄹ/을 수 있다/없다

¿Qué frase expresa correctamente 'Mi amigo quiere comer'?

Elige la frase gramaticalmente correcta:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 제 친구가 먹고 싶어해요.
Al hablar del deseo de una tercera persona (mi amigo), debes usar la forma -고 싶어하다.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: -고 싶다 (Querer hacer): Expresar tus deseos

¿Qué frase es gramaticalmente correcta?

Elige la frase correcta:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 커피를 마시려고 카페에 갔어요.
La primera es incorrecta por ser una orden. La tercera está mal porque no se pone pasado antes de '려고'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Con la intención de... (으)려고

¿Cuál frase dice correctamente 'No puedo ir'?

Elige la forma negativa correcta:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 갈 수 없어요.
가다 termina en vocal, así que la ㄹ va directamente debajo: 갈 수 없어요.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Poder / No poder ((으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다)

Score: /10

Preguntas frecuentes (6)

No, no puedes unir -고 싶다 directamente a un sustantivo como agua (물). Debes usar un verbo, como 'Quiero BEBER agua': «물을 마시고 싶어요».
Simplemente usa la misma forma pero sube la entonación al final. Ejemplo: «가고 싶어요?» (¿Quieres ir?).
No, solo se une a verbos. Para decir 'quiero café', di «커피 마시고 싶어요» (quiero beber café).
Ambos se usan. «을/를» enfoca la acción, pero «이/가» es muy común porque '싶다' es un adjetivo.
못 해요 es más común al hablar y suena un poco más subjetivo. 할 수 없어요 es más descriptivo y enfático sobre la falta de posibilidad, como en «지금은 할 수 없어요».
Sí, aunque 써도 돼요? es el estándar para '¿puedo usar esto?', decir «쓸 수 있어요?» también es muy común para preguntar si algo está disponible.
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