말하고 싶어
malhago sipeo
In Korean, "I want to say" is expressed as 말하고 싶어 (malhago sipeo).
This phrase is used to express a desire to speak or communicate something.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 말하다 (to speak/say) and the auxiliary construction -고 싶어 (want to).
Which one should you use?
A more natural way to express 'I have something to tell you' is 하고 싶은 말이 있어.
How does it change in a sentence?
For a polite version suitable for speaking to strangers or superiors, use 말하고 싶어요 by adding the suffix -요. For professional settings, news or public speaking, use the formal/honorific version 말하고 싶습니다. To express the past tense 'I wanted to say', change the ending to 말하고 싶었어.
How do you pronounce it?
malhago sipeo
Did you know?
- The word 말 in 말하다 is a homonym that also means 'horse'. In written Korean without context, the phrase could be jokingly misread as 'wanting to horse'.
- In Korean, you cannot use -고 싶어 to express what someone else wants to say. Instead, you must use -고 싶어 하다, adding a suffix that indicates you are observing another person's desire.
- When someone says 하고 싶은 말이 있어 (I have something I want to say), it is often a linguistic signal that a serious confession, a breakup, or a critical piece of news is coming.
Examples in context
- 말씀드리고 싶은데요, 방금 말씀하신 내용에 동의하지 않습니다.I want to say that I do not agree with what you just said.
- 말하고 싶은데, 너무 피곤해서 지금은 말할 수 없어.I want to say something, but I'm too tired to say it right now.
- 진심으로 말하고 싶어.jinsimeuro malhago sipeo.I want to say it sincerely.
- 너에게 꼭 말하고 싶어.neoege kkok malhago sipeo.I really want to tell you.
Example conversation
Subin and Minjun are talking about a secret.
- 수빈 Su-bin민준아, 할 말이 있어.Minjun-a, hal mari isseo.Minjun, I have something to say.
- 민준 Min-jun무슨 일이야? 빨리 말해봐.museun iriya? ppalli malhaebwa.What's up? Tell me quickly.
- 수빈 Su-bin사실은 너에게 말하고 싶어.sasireun neoege malhago sipeo.Actually, I want to say it to you.
- 민준 Min-jun응, 편하게 다 말해줘.eung, pyeonhage da malhaejwo.Yes, please tell me everything comfortably.
