Want To (-고 싶다)
-고 싶다
-고 싶다 expresses a desire to do something, meaning 'want to.'
Pattern
Verb stem + 고 싶어요
Explanation
The pattern -고 싶다 is attached to a verb stem to express the speaker's desire or wish. In polite speech, it becomes -고 싶어요. For example: 먹다 → 먹고 싶어요 (I want to eat), 가다 → 가고 싶어요 (I want to go).
This form is primarily used for first person (I want to) and second person questions (Do you want to?). For third person desires, Korean uses -고 싶어하다 instead: '그 사람은 한국에 가고 싶어해요' (That person wants to go to Korea).
The negative form is -고 싶지 않아요 (don't want to). You can also use the past tense: -고 싶었어요 (wanted to). This grammar point is essential for expressing preferences, making plans, and having conversations about desires and wishes.
Examples
한국에 가고 싶어요.
Hangug-e gago sipeoyo.
I want to go to Korea.
커피를 마시고 싶어요.
Keopi-reul masigo sipeoyo.
I want to drink coffee.
뭐 먹고 싶어요?
Mwo meokgo sipeoyo?
What do you want to eat?
쉬고 싶어요.
Swigo sipeoyo.
I want to rest.
Common Mistakes
Wrong
한국에 가고 싶다요.
Correct
한국에 가고 싶어요.
The polite form of 싶다 is 싶어요, not 싶다요.
Wrong
그 사람은 가고 싶어요.
Correct
그 사람은 가고 싶어해요.
For third person, use -고 싶어하다, not -고 싶다.
Related Grammar Points
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