What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 너랑 이야기하고 싶어 is composed of 너 (you), 랑 (with/and), 이야기하고 (talking/conversing) and 싶어 (want to).
Which one should you use?
While 너랑 이야기하고 싶어 is a common way to express this, you might see variations like 너랑 얘기하고 싶어, which uses a slightly shortened form of the verb or 너랑 얘기하고 싶은데, which translates to "I want to talk to you, but…",
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 너랑 이야기하고 싶어 is informal. Because it uses 너 (you) and the informal ending -어, it is appropriate only for close friends or people younger than the speaker. For a formal or polite situation, you should use 귀하와 대화하고 싶습니다. or a version that replaces 너랑 with 당신과 and utilizes the polite ending -습니다, such as 당신과 이야기하고 싶습니다.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the speaker's desire to perform an action, the auxiliary verb -고 싶어 is attached to the verb stem, as seen in 이야기하고 싶어 (want to talk).
How do you pronounce it?
neorang iyagihago sipeo
Did you know?
- The polite version 당신과 이야기하고 싶습니다 can actually feel quite confrontational or overly dramatic in person, as the word 당신 is often reserved for written text or intense confrontations between equals.
- Adding the particle 좀 (a little/just) to the phrase, as in 이야기 좀 하고 싶어, makes the request sound much softer and less demanding than the original phrase.
- In Korean, using the word 너 (you) can be seen as aggressive or rude even if the rest of the sentence is polite. People often avoid saying 'you' entirely by using the person's name, title or job position instead.
Examples in context
- 귀하께서는 언제 대화 가능하세요?When are you available to talk?
- 너랑 나중에 얘기해도 될까?Can we talk later?
- 오랜만에 대화하고 싶어서 전화했어.I called because I wanted to talk after a long time.
- 너랑 이야기하고 싶어.neorang iyagihago sipeo.I want to talk to you.
- 지금 너랑 이야기하고 싶어.jigeum neorang iyagihago sipeo.I want to talk to you right now.
Example conversation
Two friends are meeting at a cafe.
- 수빈 Su-bin지훈아, 너랑 이야기하고 싶어.jihuna, neorang iyagi-hago sipeo.Jihoon, I want to talk to you.
- 지훈 Ji-hun그래, 무슨 일이야?geurae, museun iriya?Sure, what's up?
- 수빈 Su-bin고민이 좀 있어서 그래.gomini jom isseoseo geurae.It's because I have some concerns.
- 지훈 Ji-hun천천히 다 말해줘.cheoncheonhi da malhaejwo.Tell me everything slowly.
