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In Korean, when you want to say “I want to [do something],” you use the phrase -고 싶어요 (-go si-peo-yo). It’s a super useful expression, and it’s simple to use once you get the hang of it!
How to Use It:
- Take the verb you want to use and drop the 다 (da) from the dictionary form.
- Add -고 싶어요 to the end.
For example:
먹다 (meok-da) = to eat → Drop 다 and add -고 싶어요. → 먹고 싶어요 (meok-go si-peo-yo) = I want to eat.
It works the same way with other verbs:
가다 (ga-da) = to go → 가고 싶어요 (ga-go si-peo-yo) = I want to go.
보다 (bo-da) = to see/watch → 보고 싶어요 (bo-go si-peo-yo) = I want to see/watch.
How to Add Nouns
To express what you want to do with specific nouns in Korean, you can use the structure Noun + Verb + -고 싶어요 (-go si-peo-yo).
Start by choosing a noun and a verb that fits. For example, if you want to say you want to eat pizza, you would say 피자 (pi-ja) for “pizza” and pair it with 먹다 (meok-da) meaning “to eat.” This results in 피자 먹고 싶어요 (pi-ja meok-go si-peo-yo), which translates to “I want to eat pizza.”
Similarly, for drinks, you could say 커피 (keo-pi) for “coffee” and use 마시다 (ma-si-da) for “to drink,” forming 커피 마시고 싶어요 (keo-pi ma-si-go si-peo-yo) to mean “I want to drink coffee.”
This structure allows you to clearly communicate your desires in various contexts by simply pairing the appropriate noun with the relevant verb.
Sentence Structure
Place the noun before the verb. Noun + Verb + -고 싶어요
Common Verbs:
- 먹다 (meok-da) = to eat
- 마시다 (ma-si-da) = to drink
- 보다 (bo-da) = to watch/see
- 가다 (ga-da) = to go
Usage Examples:
- 피자 먹고 싶어요 (pi-ja meok-go si-peo-yo) = I want to eat pizza.
- 커피 마시고 싶어요 (keo-pi ma-si-go si-peo-yo) = I want to drink coffee.
- 영화 보고 싶어요 (yeong-hwa bo-go si-peo-yo) = I want to watch a movie.
- 한국에 가고 싶어요 (han-guk-e ga-go si-peo-yo). = “I want to go to Korea.”
-고 싶어요 is polite and works in most situations when talking to strangers or people you’re not super close with. If you’re with friends or want to be more casual, you can drop the 요 and say -고 싶어 (-go si-peo).
