QuizLingua

-고 싶다 – Korean want to do

Meaning
want to (do something)
Level
Beginner
Topic
Verb endings & tenses

Attach -고 싶다 to a verb stem to say what you want to do: 가고 싶어요 = I want to go. For what someone else wants, Korean usually uses -고 싶어하다.

Key rules

  • Stem + 고 싶다 = want to
  • 싶다 conjugates
  • Desire expression
  • Travel desire
  • Common phrase
  • Also 'want to see'
  • Emotional expression
  • Education desire

Examples with -고 싶다

The highlighted part is the grammar form.

  • 밥을 먹고 싶어요 Babeul meokgo sipeoyo I want to eat Verb stem + 고 싶다 = want to do · Base form: 먹다 (meokda)
  • 한국에 가고 싶어요 Hanguge gago sipeoyo I want to go to Korea 가 + 고 싶어요 = want to go · Base form: 가다 (gada)
  • 친구를 보고 싶어요 Chingureul bogo sipeoyo I want to see my friend 보 + 고 싶어요 = want to see · Base form: 보다 (boda)
  • 한국어를 배우고 싶어요 Hangugeoreul baeugo sipeoyo I want to learn Korean 배우 + 고 싶어요 · Base form: 배우다 (baeuda)
  • 쉬고 싶어요 Swigo sipeoyo I want to rest 쉬 + 고 싶어요 = want to rest · Base form: 쉬다 (swida)
  • 커피를 마시고 싶어요 Keopireul masigo sipeoyo I want to drink coffee 마시 + 고 싶어요 · Base form: 마시다 (masida)
  • 가고 싶지 않아요 Gago sipji anayo I don't want to go 고 싶지 않다 = don't want to · Base form: 가다 (gada)
  • 사고 싶었어요 Sago sipeosseoyo I wanted to buy 고 싶었어요 = wanted to (past) · Base form: 사다 (sada)

Vocabulary in these examples

가고 싶다want to go
보고 싶다miss someone
배우다learn
쉬다rest
마시다drink
고 싶지 않다don't want to
싶었다wanted (past)

Use -고 싶다 in your own sentences

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More: verb endings & tenses