What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 먹고 싶어 means 'want to eat' and is composed of the verb 먹다 (to eat) combined with the auxiliary structure –고 싶다 (to want to).
Which one should you use?
In casual speech, the object marker 을 is often omitted, as seen in the default form. However, adding 을 after 아이스크림 to create 아이스크림을 먹고 싶어 makes the sentence grammatically complete.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a polite tone when speaking to strangers or elders, use 아이스크림 먹고 싶어요. In very professional or public settings, you can use the formal version 아이스크림 먹고 싶습니다 or the phrase 아이스크림을 주문하고 싶습니다 to say 'I would like to order ice cream'. Additionally, the informal phrase 아이스크림 사고 싶어 is used specifically when you want to say 'I want to buy ice cream'.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the suffix –어요 to the end of the phrase, as in 아이스크림 먹고 싶어요, makes it polite. For a highly formal style, use the form 아이스크림 먹고 싶습니다.
How do you pronounce it?
aiseukeurim meokgo sipeo
Did you know?
- In Korea, you can find 'ice cream' in the form of 쭈쭈바 (jjujjuba), which are fruit-flavored slushies frozen in long plastic tubes that you squeeze from the bottom.
- If you say you want ice cream in a very cute or childish way to get your way, you might use 애교 (aegyo) by stretching the final vowel of 싶어 to sound like 싶어용 (sipeoyong).
- In Korea, you can find 'soft serve' ice cream with an unexpected flavor called 흑임자 (heugimja), which is made from black sesame seeds.
Examples in context
- 나 아이스크림 먹고 싶어.na aiseukeurim meokgo sipeo.I want to eat ice cream.
- 지금 아이스크림 먹고 싶어.jigeum aiseukeurim meokgo sipeo.I want to eat ice cream right now.
- 너무 아이스크림 먹고 싶어.neomu aiseukeurim meokgo sipeo.I really want to eat ice cream.
Example conversation
Two friends are walking in a park on a hot day.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo서연아, 나 아이스크림 먹고 싶어.Seoyeon-a, na aiseukeurim meokgo sipeo.Seoyeon, I want to eat ice cream.
- 서연 Seo-yeon나도 아이스크림 먹고 싶어!Nado aiseukeurim meokgo sipeo!I want to eat ice cream too!
- 현우 Hyeon-woo저기 편의점 갈까?Jeogi pyeonui-jeom galkka?Shall we go to the convenience store over there?
- 서연 Seo-yeon그래, 현우야 가자.Geurae, Hyeonu-ya gaja.Sure, Hyeon-woo, let's go.
