~고 싶어요
-go sipeoyo
In Korean, "I would like to" is expressed using ~고 싶어요 (-go sipeoyo).
This phrase is used to express a personal desire or wish to perform an action. It is attached directly to the stem of a verb. For example, if you use the verb 먹다 (to eat), you would use the stem 먹- and attach the phrase to it.
How does it change in a sentence?
The base dictionary form of this expression is ~고 싶다. However, you cannot use ~고 싶어요 to express the desires of a third person. For third-person subjects, you must use ~고 싶어해요 instead.
How do you pronounce it?
-go sipeoyo
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use ~고 싶어요 to describe what someone else wants to do. If you are talking about a third person's desire, use ~고 싶어해요 instead.
Did you know?
- To express a very strong or desperate desire, Koreans may replace ~고 싶어요 with the expression ~고 싶어 죽겠어요, which literally means 'I want to do it so much I could die'.
- The root word 싶다 is an adjective in Korean grammar, not a verb, which is why it follows different conjugation rules than English verbs of desire.
- While ~고 싶어요 expresses a desire, using it for a third person is considered a grammatical error because, in Korean culture, you cannot truly know the inner thoughts of another person.
Examples in context
- 커피를 마시고 싶습니다.I would like to drink coffee.
- 오늘 밤에 영화 보고 싶어요.I would like to watch a movie tonight.
- 밥을 먹고 싶어.I would like to eat rice.
- 쇼핑하고 싶다.I would like to go shopping.
