A2 · Elementary Chapter 7

Wants, Abilities, and Goals

7 Total Rules
77 examples
5 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

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.

What You'll Learn

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.

Chapter Guide

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.

Key Examples (8)

1

주말에 영화 보고 싶어요.

I want to watch a movie on the weekend.

-고 싶다 (Wanting to do): Expressing Your Desires
2

아이스 아메리카노 마시고 싶어.

I want to drink an iced Americano.

-고 싶다 (Wanting to do): Expressing Your Desires
3

한국에 가고 싶어요.

I want to go to Korea.

Saying 'I want to...': The ~고 싶다 Pattern
4

지금 떡볶이 먹고 싶어.

I want to eat tteokbokki now.

Saying 'I want to...': The ~고 싶다 Pattern
5

지금 통화할 수 있어?

Can you talk on the phone right now?

Can / Cannot ((으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다)
6

매운 음식을 먹을 수 있어요?

Can you eat spicy food?

Can / Cannot ((으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다)
7

내일 파티에 갈 수 없어요.

I can't go to the party tomorrow.

Can & Cannot in Korean: The ㄹ/을 수 있다/없다 Pattern
8

저는 한국어를 조금 할 수 있습니다.

I can speak a little Korean.

Can & Cannot in Korean: The ㄹ/을 수 있다/없다 Pattern

Tips & Tricks (4)

💡

Verb Stem

Always find the stem first by removing -다.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: -고 싶다 (Wanting to do): Expressing Your Desires
🎯

The 'I Miss You' Hack

Don't look for a separate verb for 'to miss.' Just say '보고 싶어' (I want to see you). It's the most natural way to express longing.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Saying 'I want to...': The ~고 싶다 Pattern
💡

Space matters

Always write '수' and '있다' separately.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Can / Cannot ((으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다)
💡

Space is key

Always write '수' with a space before it. It is a noun!
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Can & Cannot in Korean: The ㄹ/을 수 있다/없다 Pattern

Key Vocabulary (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

Common Mistakes

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')
Correct: 저는 한국어를 말할 수 있어요

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

Wrong: 공부하려고 가요
Correct: 공부하러 가요

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

Wrong: 먹고 싶어해요
Correct: 먹고 싶어요

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

Quick Practice (10)

Fill in the blank.

저는 밥을 ___ 가요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 먹으러
Purpose of movement.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Going to do: (으)러

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 공부하러 가요
Must end with motion verb.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Going to do: (으)러

Correct the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

쇼핑하러 하고 싶어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 쇼핑하러 가고 싶어요
Need motion verb.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Going to do: (으)러

Choose the correct form.

그가 ___ 싶어해요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 가고
Third person requires -어하다.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: -고 싶다 (Wanting to do): Expressing Your Desires

Choose the correct form.

먹다 -> ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 먹을 수 있다
Correct conjugation and spacing.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Can / Cannot ((으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다)

Fill in the blank.

저는 한국어를 (배우다) ___ 한국에 왔어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 배우려고
Vowel stem + 려고.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Intending to do... (으)려고

Fill in the blank.

친구를 ___ 왔어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 만나러
Purpose of movement.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Going to do: (으)러

Choose the correct form.

밥을 (먹다) ___ 식당에 가요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 먹으려고
Consonant stem + 으려고.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Intending to do... (으)려고

Choose the correct form.

가다 + (으)러 = ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 가러
Vowel stem rule.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Going to do: (으)러

Fill in the blank.

저는 한국에 ___ 싶어요. (가다)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 가고
Attach '고' to the stem.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Saying 'I want to...': The ~고 싶다 Pattern

Score: /10

Common Questions (6)

Yes, it attaches to all action verbs.
Just remove -다 and add -고 싶다.
No, use '고 싶어 하세요' to show respect.
Yes, it attaches to action verbs.
Yes, it means 'way' or 'method'.
Because '수' is a noun and '있다' is a verb.
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