14. Korean Grammar: ~고 싶다 (Expressing Wants and Desires)

Korean Grammar: ~고 싶다 (Expressing Wants and Desires)

Today, we’ll learn how to express wants and desires in Korean using ~고 싶다. This is a very common and useful grammar structure when you want to say what you’d like to do or what you’d like to have.

Let’s get started! 🚀

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1. What is ~고 싶다?

The expression ~고 싶다 means “I want to...” in English. You use it when you want to do something or when you want something.

🔹 Sentence Structure:

👉 Verb stem + 고 싶다

• 고 싶어요 (polite)
• 고 싶습니다 (formal)

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2. Examples of ~고 싶다

🔸 When You Want to Do Something

Example Sentence Translation

저는 선물을 주고 싶어요.	I want to give a gift.
친구와 사진을 찍고 싶어요.	I want to take a picture with my friend.
가족과 여행을 가고 싶어요.	I want to go on a trip with my family.
파티에 가고 싶어요.	I want to go to the party.
노래를 부르고 싶어요.	I want to sing a song.

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🔸 When You Want Something (Using Verbs with Nouns)

In Korean, when you want something (a noun), you attach a verb. For example:

Example Sentence Translation

소설책이 가지고 싶어요.	I want to have a novel.
꽃을 받고 싶어요.	I want to receive flowers.
새 가방을 사고 싶어요.	I want to buy a new bag.
편지를 쓰고 싶어요.	I want to write a letter.
케이크를 먹고 싶어요.	I want to eat cake.

📌 Tip:

• To say “I want to have something,” use 가지고 싶다 (to have).
  • Example: 핸드폰이 가지고 싶어요. (I want to have a phone.)

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3. Difference Between ~고 싶다 and 원하다

Many beginners confuse ~고 싶다 and 원하다, but they are not the same!

🔹 ~고 싶다

• Used when talking about what you want to do or have.
• Common in spoken Korean.

Example:

• 선물을 받고 싶어요. (I want to receive a gift.)

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🔹 원하다

• Used when you want a noun.
• Sounds more formal and is used in written language or songs.
• Not commonly used in daily conversation.

Example:

• 선물을 원해요. (I want a gift.) ❌ (Sounds unnatural in conversation!)

📌 Tip: For daily conversation, use ~고 싶다.

• Instead of 선물을 원해요, say 선물을 받고 싶어요.

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4. Useful Vocabulary (Gifts & Special Occasions)

🔹 Gifts (선물)

Korean English

선물	Gift
꽃	Flowers
편지	Letter
소설책	Novel
가방	Bag
케이크	Cake
초콜릿	Chocolate
시계	Watch

🔹 Special Occasions (기념일)

Korean English

생일	Birthday
결혼기념일	Wedding anniversary
졸업식	Graduation ceremony
파티	Party
기념일	Anniversary
축하하다	To celebrate

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5. Quick Quiz (Test Yourself!)

1️⃣ Fill in the blanks:

🔹 저는 친구와 사진을 ______ 싶어요.
🔹 새 가방을 ______ 싶어요.
🔹 가족과 여행을 ______ 싶어요.
🔹 케이크를 ______ 싶어요.

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2️⃣ Correct the mistakes:

🔹 선물을 원해요. (Make it natural!)
🔹 소설책 필요해요. (Make it correct!)

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3️⃣ Translate into Korean:

🔹 "I want to write a letter."
🔹 "I want to have a new bag."
🔹 "I want to go to the party."

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Comment your answers below! ⬇️😊