고 싶다
-go sipda
To say want to in Korean, meaning a wish to do something, attach 고 싶다 (-go sipda) to a verb stem.
고 싶다 is a helping verb that attaches directly to the stem of the verb for what you want to do.
How does it change in a sentence?
To talk about what a third person wants to do, use -고 싶어하다 instead of 고 싶다.
How do you pronounce it?
It is romanized as -go sipda.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often use 고 싶다 to describe what someone else wants. In most contexts it is limited to the speaker or the listener, so use -고 싶어하다 for a third person.
Did you know?
- If a Korean speaker uses 고 싶다 to describe a third person's wishes, it can sound like they are claiming to read the other person's mind.
- Korean distinguishes between wanting something for oneself and observing that someone else wants something. While you use 고 싶다 for yourself, you must use -고 싶어하다 for others because desires are considered internal states that cannot be directly known.
- The verb stem 싶다 was originally a Middle Korean term meaning 'to seem to be about to do' rather than expressing a desire.
Examples in context
- 저는 공원에 가고 싶어요.I want to go to the park.
- 박사님과 대화하고 싶습니다.I want to converse with the professor.
- 오늘 영화 보고 싶어.I want to watch a movie today.
- 저녁 먹고 싶다.I want to eat dinner.
- 밥 먹고 싶어요.I want to eat.
- 제니는 산책하고 싶어요.Jennie wants to take a walk.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 고, 싶다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
