해보고 싶어요
haebogo sipeoyo
In Korean, the phrase for "I want to try" is 해보고 싶어요 (haebogo sipeoyo).
This phrase is used to express a desire to attempt a new activity or experience something for the first time. It is often used without an explicit object, as the context of what you want to try is implied by the conversation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb 하다 (to do), the auxiliary verb -보고 싶다 (to want to try/experience) and the polite ending -어요.
Which one should you use?
The base form of this expression is 해보고 싶다.
How do you pronounce it?
haebogo sipeoyo
Did you know?
- In Korean, the verb 보다 (to see) is used within this phrase to mean 'to try' an action. It implies that you want to 'see' what the experience is like through your own eyes.
- While 해보고 싶어요 is the standard phrase, Koreans often use the word 도전 meaning 'challenge' when they want to try something difficult or daring. Saying 도전해보고 싶어요 transforms a simple desire into a courageous goal.
- If you want to say you want to try a food specifically, you would not use 해보고 싶어요. Instead, you must use the verb 먹어보고 싶어요, which literally means 'I want to try eating it'.
Examples in context
- 저는 한국 요리를 한 번 시도해 보고 싶습니다.I would like to try Korean cuisine once.
- 저는 한 번 한국어 수업을 해 보고 싶습니다.I would like to try Korean language classes once.
- 새로운 운동을 해보고 싶어요.saeroun undong-eul haebogo sipeoyo.I want to try a new sport.
- 그 일을 한번 해보고 싶어요.geu il-eul hanbeon haebogo sipeoyo.I want to try that job once.
- 서핑을 꼭 해보고 싶어요.seoping-eul kkok haebogo sipeoyo.I really want to try surfing.
Example conversation
Minjun and Subin are talking about surfing.
- 민준 Min-jun서핑 정말 재밌어 보여요.seoping jeongmal jaemisseo boyeoyo.Surfing looks really fun.
- 수빈 Su-bin맞아요. 같이 배우러 가요.majayo. gachi baeureo gayo.It is. Let's go learn together.
- 민준 Min-jun저도 꼭 해보고 싶어요!jeodo kkok haebogo sip-eoyo!I really want to try it!
- 수빈 Su-bin이번 주말에 가요.ibeon jumare gayo.Let's go this weekend.
