사고 싶어요
sago sipeoyo
To say "I want to buy" in Korean, use 사고 싶어요 (sago sipeoyo).
This phrase is used to express a desire to purchase something. In Korean, the subject "I" (나/저) is often omitted when it is clear from the context that you are talking about your own desires.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb 사다 (to buy) combined with the auxiliary verb pattern -고 싶다 (to want to).
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that you "wanted to buy" something in the past, you change the ending to 사고 싶었어요. For very formal settings or when speaking to superiors, you can use the formal polite form 사고 싶습니다.
How do you pronounce it?
sago sipeoyo
Did you know?
- The word 사고 is a triple homonym. Depending on the Chinese characters used, it can mean 'buying', an 'accident', or 'thinking'.
- When expressing a desire to buy something for someone else, you cannot use -고 싶어요. That specific grammatical form is reserved exclusively for the speaker's own desires.
- While 사고 싶어요 is correct, the most culturally natural way to buy something is to say 이거 주세요, which means 'Please give me this'.
Examples in context
- 제가 사고 싶어요. 이 책을 주실 수 있을까요?I want to buy this book. Can you give it to me?
- 사고 싶은데. 이 팔찌는 어디서 사요?I want to buy this bracelet. Where can I buy it?
- 새 신발을 사고 싶어요.sae sinbareul sago sipeoyo.I want to buy new shoes.
- 이 책을 사고 싶어요.i chaegul sago sipeoyo.I want to buy this book.
- 선물을 사고 싶어요.seonmureul sago sipeoyo.I want to buy a gift.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Jieun are shopping at a store.
- 지훈 Ji-hun지은 씨, 이 모자 사고 싶어요.Jieun ssi, i moja sago sipeoyo.Jieun, I want to buy this hat.
- 지은 Ji-eun정말 잘 어울려요.jeongmal jal eoullyeoyo.It really looks good on you.
- 지훈 Ji-hun그럼 이걸로 살게요.geureom igeollo salgeyo.Then I will buy this one.
- 지은 Ji-eun좋은 선택이에요.joeun seontaegieyo.That is a good choice.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 사고, CC BY-SA 4.0.
