-고 싶다
-go sipda
want to
Attaches to a verb stem to express that the speaker (or, in questions, the listener) wants to do that action; it is normally used only for first- and second-person subjects, since one cannot directly know a third party's desires.
Form
- Attaches to
- Verb, Auxiliary
Meanings
- 1
An expression used to state that the speaker wants to do the act mentioned in the preceding statement.
앞말이 나타내는 행동을 하기를 원함을 나타내는 표현.
※ 동사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
Examples
어릴 때 선생님이 되고 싶었다.
When I was young, I wanted to become a teacher.
이번 생일에 받고 싶은 선물이 있으면 말해 봐.
If there's a gift you want for this birthday, tell me.
나는 너무 피곤해서 집에 일찍 들어가고 싶었다.
I was so tired that I wanted to go home early.
나는 영화가 보고 싶어서 혼자 영화관에 갔다.
I wanted to see a movie, so I went to the theater alone.
추우니까 따뜻한 국수가 먹고 싶네. 그럼 오늘 점심은 국수를 먹으러 갈까?
It's cold, so I feel like eating warm noodles. Then shall we go have noodles for lunch today?
추우니까 따뜻한 국수가 먹고 싶네.
It's cold, so I feel like eating warm noodles.
Examples: 한국어기초사전, CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.
Don’t confuse with
Forms with a close meaning — a favourite source of wrong answers on TOPIK.
Quick check
1. What does ‘-고 싶다’ mean?
2. Which form means “want to”?