Elementary School - Grade 5
Lesson 4: Expressing Desire
-고 싶다 (I want to...)
How to Say "I Want..."
This is one of the most useful grammar points you'll ever learn! The `-고 싶다` (`-go sipda`) pattern attaches to verbs to express your desire or wish to do something.
It's the direct equivalent of saying "I want to (verb)..." in English.
The Magic Rule: Just Add -고 싶다
This is the best part: there are no complicated conjugation rules! You just find the verb stem (by dropping `다` from the dictionary form) and attach `-고 싶다`. That's it!
To go
가다
-고 싶다
가고 싶다
"I want to go"
To eat
먹다
-고 싶다
먹고 싶다
"I want to eat"
Examples in Action
Once you have your `-고 싶다` form, you just conjugate `싶다` like any other adjective. Most of the time, you'll use the polite `싶어요` (`sipeoyo`) form.
한국에 가고 싶어요.
I want to go to Korea.
불고기를 먹고 싶어요.
I want to eat bulgogi.
영화를 보고 싶어요.
I want to watch a movie. (From `보다` - to see/watch)
Saying "I Don't Want To..."
To make it negative, you have two simple options. The most common is `-고 싶지 않다`.
학교에 가고 싶지 않아요.
I don't want to go to school.
지금 자고 싶지 않아요.
I don't want to sleep now. (From `자다` - to sleep)
Coming Up Next...
You've learned how to connect verbs and adjectives with "and" (`-고`), "but" (`-지만`), and "so" (`그래서`). Now let's learn how to connect **nouns** with "and" and "with."