너와 함께 있고 싶어
neowa hamkke itgo sipeo
In Korean, the phrase "I want to be with you" is expressed as 너와 함께 있고 싶어 (neowa hamkke itgo sipeo).
This phrase is used to express a desire to spend time in someone's company.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 너 (you), 와 (with), 함께 (together) and 있고 싶어 (want to be/stay).
How do you pronounce it?
neowa hamkke itgo sipeo
Did you know?
- In Korean, the word 너 ('you') is only used with people of equal or lower social status. Using it with a romantic partner is common, but using it with a stranger or an older person can be seen as an insult.
- The grammar structure -고 싶어 only describes the speaker's own desires. To say 'you want to be with me', a different construction using -고 싶어하다 must be used, as Koreans traditionally distinguish between internal and observed desires.
- While 있고 싶어 literally means 'want to be', Koreans often omit the subject 'I' entirely. The sentence is understood through context, as stating 'I' explicitly can sometimes sound unnatural or overly emphatic in Korean.
Example conversation
Dohyun and Jieun are saying goodbye after a date.
- 도현 Do-hyeon가기 싫다. 너와 함께 있고 싶어.gagi silta. neowa hamkke itgo sipeo.I don't want to leave. I want to be with you.
- 지은 Ji-eun나도 그래. 조금만 더 있을까?nado geurae. jogeumman deo isseulkka?Me too. Shall we stay a little longer?
- 도현 Do-hyeon응, 그러면 정말 좋겠다.eung, geureomyeon jeongmal joketda.Yes, that would be really great.
- 지은 Ji-eun그럼 우리 카페에 더 있자.geureom uri kape-e deo itja.Then let's stay in the cafe longer.
