가고 싶어요
gago sipeoyo
The English phrase 'I want to go' is translated into Korean as 가고 싶어요 (gago sipeoyo).
This phrase is used to express a desire to travel to or visit a place. When using this expression, the subject 'I' is often omitted if the context makes it clear that the speaker is talking about themselves.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb stem 가- (to go), the connective -고 (and/to) and the auxiliary verb 싶어요 (want to).
Which one should you use?
While 가고 싶어요 is a standard polite form, 가고 싶습니다 is the highly formal version and 가고 싶어 is the casual, non-polite version. You can also use 가고 싶은데요 to express a polite desire to go.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express a desire to do something, the verb form should use the pattern '-고 싶다'. The dictionary or plain form of this expression is 가고 싶다. When expressing that a third person (he, she or they) wants to go, you must use the form 가고 싶어해요 instead of 가고 싶어요.
How do you pronounce it?
gago sipeoyo
Did you know?
- Using the standard 가고 싶어요 to describe a third person's desire is considered grammatically incorrect because it implies you can see into their soul.
- In Korean, the word for 'want' 싶다 is categorized as an adjective rather than a verb. This means it describes a state of mind similar to 'being hungry' rather than an action.
- In rapid Seoul speech, the polite 가고 싶어 is often pronounced as 가고 시퍼. The sounds merge to create a faster, more fluid delivery in casual conversation.
Examples in context
- 가고 싶어요.I want to go.This sentence is useful for practicing the basic phrase 가고 싶어요.Tatoeba #13243139 by atitarev, translation #1977717 by Spamster
- 한국에 가고 싶어요.I want to go to Korea.This sentence is useful for practicing how to say you want to go to a specific place using 가고 싶어요.Tatoeba #1003651 by Sudajaengi, translation #1010083 by Brian255
- 학교에 가고 싶습니다.I want to go to school.
- 미술관에 가고 싶습니다.I want to go to the museum.
- 영화관에 가고 싶은데요.I want to go to the cinema, but politely.
- 제주도에 가고 싶어요.Jejudoe gago sipeoyo.I want to go to Jeju Island.
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Hyeon-woo are talking about their dream vacation.
- 지은 Ji-eun현우 씨는 어디에 가고 싶어요?Hyeon-u ssineun eodie gago sipeoyo?Hyeon-woo, where do you want to go?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo저는 유럽에 가고 싶어요.jeoneun yureobe gago sipeoyo.I want to go to Europe.
- 지은 Ji-eun정말 멋지네요!jeongmal meotjineyo!That's really wonderful!
- 현우 Hyeon-woo지은 씨도 같이 갈래요?Ji-eun ssido gachi gallaeyo?Ji-eun, do you want to go together too?
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
