A2 Expressions & Patterns 12 min read Easy

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

Attach ~고 싶다 to a verb stem to say what you want to do.

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use -고 싶다 after a verb stem to express your desire to perform an action.

  • Attach -고 싶다 directly to the verb stem: 가다 (to go) -> 가고 싶다 (want to go).
  • Conjugate the final '다' based on the desired politeness level: 가고 싶어요 (polite).
  • For questions, use the same structure with a rising intonation: 뭐 먹고 싶어요? (What do you want to eat?).
Verb Stem + 고 싶다 + (Ending)

Overview

Expressing your personal desires is fundamental to meaningful communication in any language. In Korean, the pattern ~고 싶다 ([-go sipda]) serves this crucial function, allowing you to articulate what you want to do. Unlike simply stating facts, ~고 싶다 enables you to convey your intentions, wishes, and aspirations, making your Korean conversations more dynamic and personal.

This pattern is one of the earliest you will encounter to genuinely express your personality and engage in more complex interactions beyond basic declarations.

At its core, ~고 싶다 translates directly to “I want to…” or “to want to…”. It attaches to action verbs to indicate the subject's desire to perform that action. While it clearly expresses an action-oriented desire, the word 싶다 itself functions grammatically as an adjective (형용사 - [hyeongyongsa]), a distinction that has subtle but important implications for particle usage, which we will explore in detail.

Mastering ~고 싶다 is a significant step in moving from basic sentence construction to expressing your inner thoughts and feelings in Korean.

How This Grammar Works

The ~고 싶다 pattern combines an action verb stem with the conjunctive ending ~고 and the descriptive verb 싶다 (to want). The primary role of ~고 here is to link the main verb's action to the state of 'wanting' expressed by 싶다. It signals that the desire (싶다) pertains specifically to the preceding action (the verb stem).
Crucially, 싶다 behaves grammatically as an adjective (형용사), despite its meaning relating to a desire to perform an action. This adjective status impacts how it conjugates and, more notably, how noun objects associated with the desired action are marked. Traditionally, adjectives describe a state or quality, and they typically take the subject particle 이/가 ([i/ga]) for the noun they describe.
Because 싶다 functions this way, you will frequently see the object of the desired action marked with 이/가 instead of the more common object particle 을/를 ([eul/reul]).
For example, to say "I want to eat pizza," you can form:
  • 피자를 먹고 싶어요. ([pijareul meokgo sipeoyo]) – Here, 피자 (pizza) is treated as the direct object of the verb 먹다 (to eat), marked with 을/를.
  • 피자가 먹고 싶어요. ([pijaga meokgo sipeoyo]) – In this construction, 피자 is treated as the subject of the adjective 싶다, indicating that "pizza is the thing desired for eating." This nuance often emphasizes the item itself as the object of desire, rather than merely the act of consuming it. Both forms are widely accepted and used in everyday conversation, though 을/를 is perhaps slightly more common in formal or textbook contexts, while 이/가 feels very natural to native speakers, especially when simply stating a craving.
Another critical aspect of ~고 싶다 is its subjectivity. This pattern is almost exclusively used to express the speaker's own desire (first person) or to inquire about the listener's desire (second person). You cannot use ~고 싶다 to directly state what a third person (he, she, they, your friend, etc.) wants.
Doing so would imply you can read their mind, which is generally considered grammatically incorrect and socially awkward in Korean. For expressing a third person's desire, a different pattern, ~고 싶어하다 ([-go sipeohada]), must be used. We will delve into this distinction further in the "When To Use It" section.
Consider the sentence 저는 한국에 가고 싶어요. ([jeoneun hanguge gago sipeoyo], I want to go to Korea). Here, (I) is the first-person subject, and the desire to go (가고 싶어요) is attributed directly to the speaker. This showcases the fundamental function of ~고 싶다 in expressing personal intent.
Its adjective nature also means it cannot directly be used with certain verb endings, such as ~읍시다/ㅂ시다 (let's) or ~아/어 주세요 (please do something for me), as these require an action verb, not a descriptive one.

Formation Pattern

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The formation of ~고 싶다 is straightforward, making it highly accessible for A2 learners. It involves two main steps: identifying the verb stem and attaching the pattern, followed by conjugating 싶다 according to the desired politeness level and tense.
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Step 1: Identify the Verb Stem
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Take any action verb in its dictionary form (ending in ~다). Remove ~다 to obtain the verb stem.
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| Dictionary Form | Translation | Verb Stem |
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|-----------------|---------------|-----------|
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| 먹다 ([meokda]) | to eat | ([meok]) |
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| 가다 ([gada]) | to go | ([ga]) |
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| 읽다 ([ikda]) | to read | ([ik]) |
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| 자다 ([jada]) | to sleep | ([ja]) |
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| 하다 ([hada]) | to do | ([ha]) |
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Step 2: Attach ~고 싶다
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Simply attach ~고 싶다 to the verb stem. There are no batchim (final consonant) or vowel/consonant ending rules to consider for this pattern, which simplifies its application significantly. The ~고 ending acts as a consistent connector.
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| Verb Stem | ~고 싶다 pattern |
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|-----------|------------------|
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| | 먹고 싶다 |
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| | 가고 싶다 |
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| | 읽고 싶다 |
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| | 자고 싶다 |
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| | 하고 싶다 |
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Step 3: Conjugate 싶다
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Since 싶다 is an adjective, it conjugates like other adjectives. You will primarily use it in the present and past tenses, and across different politeness levels.
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| Politeness Level | Present Tense | Past Tense | Future Tense (Likely desire) |
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|----------------------|----------------------|-----------------------|------------------------------|
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| Informal Casual (해체) | ~고 싶어 ([~go sipeo]) | ~고 싶었어 ([~go sipeosseo]) | ~고 싶을 거야 ([~go sipeul geoya]) |
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| Polite/Standard (해요체) | ~고 싶어요 ([~go sipeoyo]) | ~고 싶었어요 ([~go sipeosseoyo]) | ~고 싶을 거예요 ([~go sipeul geoyeyo]) |
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| Formal/Honorific (하십시오체) | ~고 싶습니다 ([~go sipseumnida]) | ~고 싶었습니다 ([~go sipeosseumnida]) | ~고 싶을 것입니다 ([~go sipeul geosimnida]) |
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Examples in various conjugations:
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지금 집에 가고 싶어요. ([jigeum jibe gago sipeoyo]) – I want to go home now. (Polite, present)
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어제 떡볶이가 너무 먹고 싶었어. ([eoje tteokbokkiga neomu meokgo sipeosseo]) – I really wanted to eat tteokbokki yesterday. (Informal, past)
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사장님께 이 프로젝트에 대해 더 자세히 보고 싶습니다. ([sajangnimkke i peurojekteue daehae deo jasehi bogo sipseumnida]) – I wish to report on this project in more detail to the CEO. (Formal, present)

When To Use It

The ~고 싶다 pattern is versatile, but its usage is strictly defined by the subject of the desire. Understanding these contexts is crucial for appropriate and natural communication.
1. Expressing the Speaker's (First-Person) Desire:
This is the most common and fundamental application. Whenever you want to do something, ~고 싶다 is your go-to pattern.
  • 주말에 영화를 보고 싶어요. ([jumare yeonghwareul bogo sipeoyo]) – I want to watch a movie on the weekend.
  • 새로운 언어를 배우고 싶습니다. ([saeroun eoneoreul baeugo sipseumnida]) – I want to learn a new language. (Formal context, e.g., in an application or interview)
  • 따뜻한 차를 마시고 싶다. ([ttatteuthan chareul masigo sipda]) – I want to drink warm tea. (Informal monologue or with close friends)
2. Asking About the Listener's (Second-Person) Desire:
When you are addressing someone directly and want to know what they want to do, you can use ~고 싶다 in a question form.
  • 오늘 저녁에 뭐 먹고 싶어요? ([oneul jeonyeoge mwo meokgo sipeoyo?]) – What do you want to eat this evening?
  • 어떤 선물을 받고 싶어요? ([eotteon seonmureul batgo sipeoyo?]) – What kind of gift do you want to receive?
  • 이번 휴가 때 어디 가고 싶어? ([ibeon hyuga ttae eodi gago sipeo?]) – Where do you want to go this vacation? (Informal question)
3. Implying a Suggestion or Preference (Polite Nuance):
Sometimes, especially when used with sentence endings like ~ㄴ/는데 or ~은/는데, ~고 싶다 can subtly introduce a suggestion by stating your desire, inviting the listener's input.
  • 커피 한 잔 마시고 싶은데요... ([keopi han jan masigo sipeondeyo...]) – I'd like to drink a cup of coffee... (Implies: "...what about you?" or "...can we?")
  • 이 문제를 좀 더 생각해 보고 싶어요. ([i munjereul jom deo saenggakae bogo sipeoyo]) – I want to think about this problem a bit more. (Can imply: "...so let's not rush a decision.")
4. Expressing 'Missing Someone': 보고 싶다 ([bogo sipda])
This is a highly idiomatic and widely used expression. While literally meaning "I want to see [you/it]," 보고 싶다 is the standard way to say "I miss you" in Korean. It is almost always used in the context of missing a person.
  • 엄마, 보고 싶어요. ([eomma, bogo sipeoyo]) – Mom, I miss you.
  • 다시 콘서트에서 그 밴드를 보고 싶다. ([dasi konseoteueseo geu baendeureul bogo sipda]) – I want to see that band at a concert again. (Here, the literal meaning "want to see" is more apparent).
5. The Third-Person Exception: ~고 싶어하다
As mentioned, ~고 싶다 is reserved for first and second persons. To describe what a third person wants, you must use ~고 싶어하다. This pattern is formed by taking ~고 싶다 and attaching the auxiliary verb ~어하다 ([-eohada]), which is used with adjectives to describe an external observation or manifestation of a state or emotion.
~어하다 effectively turns the descriptive 싶다 into an action verb (싶어하다) that can be attributed to others.
  • Incorrect: 제 친구는 영화를 보고 싶어요. (My friend wants to watch a movie. - Incorrect; sounds like mind-reading)
  • Correct: 제 친구는 영화를 보고 싶어해요. ([je chiguneun yeonghwareul bogo sipeohaeyo]) – My friend wants to watch a movie. (Correct)
Similarly, you might encounter ~고 싶어 보인다 ([-go sipeo boinda], looks like they want to V) for making inferences about someone else's desire based on their appearance or actions.
  • 그는 배가 고픈지 뭘 좀 먹고 싶어 보여요. ([geuneun baega gopeunji mwol jom meokgo sipeo boyeoyo]) – He looks like he wants to eat something, perhaps because he's hungry.

Common Mistakes

Learning ~고 싶다 is generally straightforward, but several common pitfalls often trip up learners. Understanding these typical errors and the underlying reasons will significantly improve your accuracy.
1. Using ~고 싶다 for a Third-Person Subject:
This is by far the most frequent and critical mistake. As explained, ~고 싶다 is subjective. Using it for anyone other than yourself (or in a question, for the listener) is grammatically incorrect and implies an inappropriate assumption of their internal state.
  • Incorrect Example: 엄마는 쉬고 싶어요. (Mom wants to rest.)
  • Why it's incorrect: This implies you know your mother's internal desire as if it were your own. In Korean culture, such direct assertions about others' internal feelings are generally avoided unless you are the subject. The listener might perceive this as impolite or presumptuous.
  • Correct Usage: 엄마는 쉬고 싶어해요. ([eommaneun swigo sipeohaeyo]) – Mom wants to rest. (Uses ~고 싶어하다 to express an observable desire of a third person.)
2. Attaching ~고 싶다 Directly to Adjectives:
Remember that ~고 싶다 is for action verbs. You cannot attach it directly to an adjective to express a desire to be or feel that way.
  • Incorrect Example: 저는 예쁘고 싶어요. (I want to be pretty.)
  • Why it's incorrect: 예쁘다 (to be pretty) is an adjective. You cannot perform the action of "being pretty" in the same way you perform "eating" or "going."
  • Correct Usage: To express a desire to become a certain state, you must first turn the adjective into a verb using ~아/어지다 ([-a/eojida], to become/get). Then, attach ~고 싶다 to this new verb form.
  • 저는 예뻐지고 싶어요. ([jeoneun yeppeojigo sipeoyo]) – I want to become pretty.
  • 저는 키가 크고 싶어요. (Incorrect) → 저는 키가 커지고 싶어요. ([jeoneun kiga keojigo sipeoyo]) – I want to become tall.
3. Omitting the Conjunctive ~고:
The ~고 is an essential connector between the verb stem and 싶다. Removing it results in an ungrammatical phrase.
  • Incorrect Example: 저는 밥 먹 싶어요. (I want to eat rice.)
  • Why it's incorrect: 먹 싶어요 is incomplete and sounds like a linguistic error or a malfunctioning machine. The ~고 acts as the glue that correctly links the action verb to the desire.
  • Correct Usage: 저는 밥을 먹고 싶어요. ([jeoneun babeul meokgo sipeoyo]) – I want to eat rice.
4. Confusing 이/가 vs. 을/를 (Subtle Nuance):
While often interchangeable in casual speech, there's a subtle semantic difference. Over-relying on 을/를 when 이/가 might be more natural for a specific emphasis can make your speech sound less nuanced.
  • 커피를 마시고 싶어요. ([keopireul masigo sipeoyo]) – I want to drink coffee. (Focus on the action of drinking, with coffee as the direct object.)
  • 커피가 마시고 싶어요. ([keopiga masigo sipeoyo]) – Coffee is what I want to drink. (Focus on coffee itself as the desired item, often used to express a craving.)
Both are correct, but understanding the subtle emphasis can help you sound more natural. The 이/가 form with 싶다 is very common when expressing a sudden craving or a strong desire for a particular item.
5. Overusing 원하다 ([wonhada], to want):
원하다 is a verb meaning "to want" or "to desire," but it is generally more formal and often used with abstract nouns or for more serious, long-term desires, rather than everyday actions. For expressing the desire to do an action, ~고 싶다 is almost always the more natural and common choice.
  • Less natural for actions: 저는 한국어를 배우기를 원해요. (I desire to learn Korean.) - Grammatically correct, but 저는 한국어를 배우고 싶어요. is far more common and natural.
  • Appropriate use with nouns: 저는 평화를 원합니다. ([jeoneun pyeonghwareul wonhamnida]) – I desire peace.
By being mindful of these common mistakes, you can significantly enhance your accuracy and fluency with the ~고 싶다 pattern.

Real Conversations

~고 싶다 is a cornerstone of daily Korean conversation, appearing in various contexts from casual exchanges to more formal expressions of intent. Its presence helps conversations flow naturally and express personal thoughts and feelings. Here's how it manifests in authentic usage:

1. Casual Everyday Talk (해체 - [haeche] / 해요체 - [haeyoche]):

This is where ~고 싶다 shines the most, making your speech sound genuine and relatable.

- Friends planning:

- A: 우리 이번 주말에 뭐 할까? ([uri ibeon jumare mwo halkka?], What should we do this weekend?)

- B: 글쎄... 나는 그냥 집에서 쉬고 싶어. ([geulsse... naneun geunyang jibeseo swigo sipeo], Well... I just want to rest at home.)

- C: 나는 새 영화 보고 싶었는데! ([naneun sae yeonghwa bogo sipeonneunde!], But I wanted to see the new movie!)

- Expressing a craving:

- 오늘 저녁은 매운 떡볶이가 먹고 싶다! ([oneul jeonyeogeun maeun tteokbokkiga meokgo sipda!], I want to eat spicy tteokbokki for dinner today!)

- During a busy day:

- 아... 빨리 퇴근하고 싶어요. ([a... ppalli toeguenhago sipeoyo], Ah... I want to leave work quickly.)

2. Texting and Social Media:

Korean digital communication is replete with ~고 싶다, often in its informal, shortened forms. The "I miss you" expression 보고 싶다 is particularly prevalent.

- Status update/thought: 여행 가고 싶다... ✈️ ([yeohaeng gago sipda...], I want to travel...)

- Missing a friend: 보고 싶어 ㅠㅠ 언제 다시 만날 수 있을까? ([bogo sipeo ttu tt, eonje dasi mannal su isseulkka?], I miss you T.T When can we meet again?)

- Wishing for something: 주말까지 잠만 자고 싶다. ([jumalkkaji jamman jago sipda], I just want to sleep until the weekend.)

3. More Formal or Polite Contexts (해요체 / 하십시오체 - [hasipsioche]):

While less frequent than in casual settings, ~고 싶다 still appears in polite and formal speech, especially when expressing a personal desire or request in a respectful manner.

- In a meeting or interview:

- 이 분야에 대해 더 깊이 배우고 싶습니다. ([i bunyae daehae deo gipi baeugo sipseumnida], I wish to learn more deeply about this field.)

- 저의 의견을 말씀드리고 싶습니다. ([jeoui uigyeoneul malsseumdeurigo sipseumnida], I would like to state my opinion.)

- Polite request/suggestion:

- 선생님께 질문이 있는데요, 잠시 여쭤보고 싶습니다. ([seonsaengnimkke jilmuni inneundeyo, jamsi yeojjweobogo sipseumnida], I have a question for the teacher; I'd like to ask you for a moment.)

4. Cultural Nuance: Indirectness and Politeness:

In Korean, especially in more formal or hierarchical relationships, directly stating a desire can sometimes be softened. Using ~고 싶다 followed by ~ㄴ/는데 (or ~은/는데) can make the expression more indirect and polite, hinting at a desire rather than demanding it, inviting the listener's consideration.

- 커피를 마시고 싶은데요... (As shown above, it gently introduces a desire, waiting for a response.)

5. In Media (K-pop, Dramas):

~고 싶다 is ubiquitous in K-pop lyrics and K-dramas, particularly in expressions of love, longing, and dreams. Its emotional directness makes it a powerful tool for conveying deep feelings.

- (Song lyric example): 너와 함께 걷고 싶어. ([neowa hamkke geotgo sipeo], I want to walk with you.)

- (Drama dialogue): 진심으로 행복하고 싶어. ([jinsimeuro haengbokago sipeo], I genuinely want to be happy.)

By observing and practicing ~고 싶다 in these various real-world scenarios, you can develop a natural feel for its usage and integrate it seamlessly into your own Korean communication.

Quick FAQ

**Q1: How do I express

Conjugation of -고 싶다

Verb Stem Affirmative Negative
가다
가고 싶다
가고 싶지 않다
먹다
먹고 싶다
먹고 싶지 않다
보다
보고 싶다
보고 싶지 않다
하다
하고 싶다
하고 싶지 않다
자다
자고 싶다
자고 싶지 않다
읽다
읽고 싶다
읽고 싶지 않다

Common Spoken Contractions

Full Form Spoken Short Form
먹고 싶어요
먹고 싶어
가고 싶어요
가고 싶어

Meanings

The -고 싶다 pattern is used to express the speaker's desire or wish to perform a specific action. It is the standard way to say 'I want to [verb]'.

1

Personal Desire

Expressing one's own wish to do something.

“자고 싶어요. (I want to sleep.)”

“영화를 보고 싶어요. (I want to watch a movie.)”

Reference Table

Reference table for Saying 'I want to...': The ~고 싶다 Pattern
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Stem + 고 싶다
가고 싶어요
Negative (Long)
Stem + 고 싶지 않다
가고 싶지 않아요
Negative (Short)
안 + Stem + 고 싶다
안 가고 싶어요
Question
Stem + 고 싶어요?
가고 싶어요?
Past
Stem + 고 싶었다
가고 싶었어요
Third Person
Stem + 고 싶어하다
가고 싶어 해요

Formality Spectrum

Formal
먹고 싶습니다.

먹고 싶습니다. (General)

Neutral
먹고 싶어요.

먹고 싶어요. (General)

Informal
먹고 싶어.

먹고 싶어. (General)

Slang
먹고 싶다.

먹고 싶다. (General)

Desire Map

Verb Stem

Action

  • 먹다 eat

Result

  • 먹고 싶다 want to eat

Examples by Level

1

물 마시고 싶어요.

I want to drink water.

2

자고 싶어요.

I want to sleep.

3

가고 싶어요.

I want to go.

4

먹고 싶어요.

I want to eat.

1

한국어를 배우고 싶어요.

I want to learn Korean.

2

친구를 만나고 싶지 않아요.

I don't want to meet my friend.

3

뭐 하고 싶어요?

What do you want to do?

4

집에 가고 싶어요.

I want to go home.

1

이번 주말에 여행을 가고 싶어 해요.

He wants to go on a trip this weekend.

2

더 공부하고 싶지만 시간이 없어요.

I want to study more, but I don't have time.

3

어디서 일하고 싶으세요?

Where would you like to work?

4

그 영화를 보고 싶었지만 못 봤어요.

I wanted to see that movie, but I couldn't.

1

성공하고 싶다면 노력이 필요합니다.

If you want to succeed, you need effort.

2

그는 무엇을 먹고 싶어 하는지 물어보세요.

Ask him what he wants to eat.

3

저는 평화롭게 살고 싶을 뿐입니다.

I just want to live peacefully.

4

다시 시작하고 싶다는 생각이 들었어요.

I felt like I wanted to start over.

1

누구든 행복하게 살고 싶어 하지 않겠습니까?

Wouldn't everyone want to live happily?

2

그가 왜 떠나고 싶어 했는지 이해가 가요.

I understand why he wanted to leave.

3

더 나은 세상을 만들고 싶다는 열망이 큽니다.

The desire to create a better world is great.

4

그녀는 그저 인정받고 싶어 했을 뿐이에요.

She just wanted to be acknowledged.

1

어찌 그곳에 가고 싶지 않겠습니까?

How could one not want to go there?

2

그는 자신이 무엇을 원하고 싶어 하는지조차 모릅니다.

He doesn't even know what he wants to want.

3

모두가 갈망하는 그곳에 나도 가고 싶어라.

How I wish to go to that place everyone desires.

4

그의 의지는 그저 살고 싶다는 본능에 기인합니다.

His will stems merely from the instinct to want to live.

Easily Confused

Saying 'I want to...': The ~고 싶다 Pattern vs ~고 싶다 vs ~고 싶어 하다

Learners use ~고 싶다 for everyone.

Saying 'I want to...': The ~고 싶다 Pattern vs ~고 싶다 vs ~을/를 원하다

Learners use ~을/를 원하다 for actions.

Saying 'I want to...': The ~고 싶다 Pattern vs 안 ~고 싶다 vs ~고 싶지 않다

Both are negative, but which is more natural?

Common Mistakes

먹다 싶어요

먹고 싶어요

Forgot the '고' connector.

가고 싶다요

가고 싶어요

Incorrect polite ending.

먹고 싶다

먹고 싶어요

Used dictionary form instead of polite form.

가고 싶다를

가고 싶어요

Added object marker to the verb.

그가 가고 싶어요

그가 가고 싶어 해요

Used first-person form for third person.

안 가고 싶어요

가고 싶지 않아요

While '안' is okay, '지 않아요' is more standard.

가고 싶었어요?

가고 싶어요?

Used past tense for present desire.

그녀는 먹고 싶다

그녀는 먹고 싶어 한다

Missing the auxiliary verb change.

가고 싶어 했다

가고 싶어 했다 (past)

Correct, but ensure tense consistency.

먹고 싶지 않다

먹고 싶지 않아요

Register mismatch.

그가 먹고 싶다고 생각해요

그가 먹고 싶어 한다고 생각해요

Failed to apply the third-person rule inside a quote.

가고 싶어라

가고 싶어요

Used literary form in casual speech.

먹고 싶어 하는지 몰라요

먹고 싶어 하는지 몰라요

Correct, but check for particle usage.

Sentence Patterns

저는 ___고 싶어요.

___에 가고 싶어요.

저는 ___고 싶지만 ___.

그는 ___고 싶어 해요.

Real World Usage

Texting constant

뭐 하고 싶어?

Ordering Food very common

피자 먹고 싶어요.

Job Interview common

여기서 일하고 싶습니다.

Travel common

제주도에 가고 싶어요.

Social Media common

여행 가고 싶다!

Classroom common

질문하고 싶어요.

🎯

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.
⚠️

The Third Person Trap

Never use '고 싶다' for other people in statements. It sounds like you are a mind reader. Always use '고 싶어하다' for third parties.
💬

Softening the Blow

Koreans often use '고 싶은데요...' (I'd like to, but...) as a soft way to decline something or start a request.

Smart Tips

Always add '어 하다' to the '고 싶다' pattern.

그가 가고 싶어요. 그가 가고 싶어 해요.

Use '고 싶습니다' instead of '고 싶어요'.

가고 싶어요. 가고 싶습니다.

Use '고 싶으세요?' when asking others.

먹고 싶어요? 먹고 싶으세요?

Use '고 싶지 않아요' for clarity.

안 가고 싶어요. 가고 싶지 않아요.

Pronunciation

go-ship-da

Linking

The '고' and '싶' are pronounced clearly.

Rising

가고 싶어요? ↑

Questioning desire.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Go' (가다) + 'Ship' (싶다). I want to 'go' on a 'ship'!

Visual Association

Imagine yourself standing in front of a giant menu, pointing at a dish and saying 'I want this!'

Rhyme

To say what you want, don't be shy, just add -고 싶다 to the verb, my guy!

Story

Min-su is hungry. He looks at the menu. He says, 'I want to eat pizza.' He uses the -고 싶다 pattern to order.

Word Web

가다먹다자다보다읽다하고 싶다

Challenge

Write 5 sentences about what you want to do today using -고 싶다.

Cultural Notes

Expressing desire directly is common, but often softened in business.

Similar usage, but often more formal.

Often mixed with English in casual speech.

Derived from the verb 싶다 (to want/wish).

Conversation Starters

오늘 뭐 하고 싶어요?

한국에서 어디에 가고 싶어요?

주말에 무엇을 먹고 싶어 하세요?

어떤 일을 하고 싶으세요?

Journal Prompts

Write about your dream vacation.
What do you want to learn this year?
Describe a friend's plans.
Reflect on your life goals.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct


Incorrect

Correct


Incorrect

Correct


Incorrect

Correct

Test Yourself

Fill in the blank.

저는 한국에 ___ 싶어요. (가다)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 가고
Attach '고' to the stem.
Choose the correct form. Multiple Choice

그는 무엇을 ___?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 먹고 싶어 해요
Third person requires '어 하다'.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

저는 먹다 싶어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 먹고 싶어요
Remove '다' from stem.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 저는 한국에 가고 싶어요
Subject-Object-Verb order.
Translate to Korean. Translation

I want to sleep.

Answer starts with: 자고 ...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 자고 싶어요
Standard polite form.
Conjugate for third person. Conjugation Drill

그는 가고 싶다.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 그는 가고 싶어 해요
Third person rule.
Match the meaning. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I want to eat
먹다 = eat.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

Use '보다' (to watch) and '영화' (movie).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 영화를 보고 싶어요
Standard object marker usage.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank.

저는 한국에 ___ 싶어요. (가다)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 가고
Attach '고' to the stem.
Choose the correct form. Multiple Choice

그는 무엇을 ___?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 먹고 싶어 해요
Third person requires '어 하다'.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

저는 먹다 싶어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 먹고 싶어요
Remove '다' from stem.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

싶어요 / 가고 / 저는 / 한국에

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 저는 한국에 가고 싶어요
Subject-Object-Verb order.
Translate to Korean. Translation

I want to sleep.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 자고 싶어요
Standard polite form.
Conjugate for third person. Conjugation Drill

그는 가고 싶다.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 그는 가고 싶어 해요
Third person rule.
Match the meaning. Match Pairs

먹고 싶어요

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I want to eat
먹다 = eat.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

Use '보다' (to watch) and '영화' (movie).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 영화를 보고 싶어요
Standard object marker usage.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Reorder the words to say 'I want to see a movie.' Sentence Reorder

싶어요 / 영화를 / 보고 / 저는

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 저는 영화를 보고 싶어요
Translate 'I want to sleep' into Korean. Translation

I want to sleep.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 자고 싶어요
Match the Korean verb to its 'want to' meaning. Match Pairs

Match the following:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 사다 - 사고 싶다
Fill in the blank: 'I ___ to drink coffee.' Fill in the Blank

커피를 ___ (drink) 싶어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 마시고
Fix the third-person error: 'He wants to study.' Error Correction

그는 공부하고 싶어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 그는 공부하고 싶어해요.
Which is the correct negative form? Multiple Choice

I don't want to go.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 가고 싶지 않아요.
Translate 'I want to see you (miss you).' Translation

I miss you.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 보고 싶어
Reorder: 'Do you want to buy this?' Sentence Reorder

사고 / 이것을 / 싶어요? / (you)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 이것을 사고 싶어요?
Use the past tense: 'I wanted to do it.' Fill in the Blank

그것을 ___ 싶었어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 하고
Pick the most formal version. Multiple Choice

I want to rest.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 쉬고 싶습니다.

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

No, use '고 싶어 하세요' to show respect.

Yes, it attaches to action verbs.

Use '고 싶었어요'.

That's the informal speech level.

No, only action verbs.

Use '고 싶지 않아요'.

Yes, in standard Korean.

Yes, just add a question mark.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Querer + infinitive

Korean attaches the desire marker to the verb stem.

French high

Vouloir + infinitive

Korean is agglutinative.

German moderate

Modal verb 'wollen'

Korean suffixing vs German modal verb.

Japanese very_high

~たい

The specific suffix and conjugation rules differ.

Arabic moderate

أريد أن (urid an)

Korean suffixing vs Arabic verb-particle.

Chinese moderate

想 (xiǎng)

Korean suffixing vs Chinese pre-verbal.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

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