Grammar · Requests and wishes

-고 싶어요, wanting to do

Pattern

[stem] + 고 싶어요

Stem plus 고 싶어요 is 'I want to': 가고 싶어요, 먹고 싶어요. There is no vowel rule. 보고 싶어요 is both 'I want to see it' and 'I miss you'.

The mistake to avoid

It attaches to verbs, not to nouns. To want a thing, ask for it (커피 주세요) or name the action: 커피를 마시고 싶어요.

Examples

Romanisation help

한국에 가고 싶어요.

hanguge gago sipeoyo.

I want to go to Korea.

뭐 먹고 싶어요?

mwo meokgo sipeoyo?

What do you want to eat?

보고 싶어요.

bogo sipeoyo.

I miss you.

한국 노래를 배우고 싶어요.

hanguk noraereul baeugo sipeoyo.

I want to learn Korean songs.