Bootstrap Korean Grammar

Learn Korean Grammar step-by-step

Korean grammar - To want - 고 싶다

To want - 고 싶다

Pattern: Verb stem + 고 싶다

To express a want or desire to do something simply attached 고 싶다 to the verb stem.

• Present tense: Verb stem + 고 싶어요

• Past tense: Verb stem + 고 싶었어요
Examples:
나는 그것을 먹고 싶어요.
I want to eat that (thing).

먹 from 먹다 (to eat)
나는 영화를 보고 싶어요.
I want to see a movie.

보 from 보다 (to see)
저는 한국말을 배우고 싶어요.
I want to learn Korean.

배우 from 배우다 (to learn)
엄마랑 김밥을 먹고 싶어요.
(I) want to eat kimbab with mom.

먹 from 먹다 (to eat)

김밥 is Korean sushi rolls (김 is 'seaweed' and 밥 is 'cooked rice')
바닷가에서 걷고 싶어요.
(I) want to walk on the beach.

걷 from 걷다 (to walk)
내 생일 파티에 당신을 초대하고 싶어요.
(I) want to invite you to my birthday party.

초대하 from 초대하다 (to invite)
새 삼성 휴대폰을 사고 싶었어요.
(I) wanted to buy a new Samsung phone.

사 from 사다 (to buy)
저는 배우가 되고 싶었어요.
I wanted to become an actor.

되 from 되다 (to become)
저는 여행하고 싶었어요.
I wanted to travel.

여행하 from 여행하다 (to travel)
밤에 산책을 안 하고 싶었어요.
(I) didn't want to go for a walk at night.

하 from 하다 (to do)

While negating the phrase in this way (using 안) is possible, it sounds a bit awkwar. A better way to negate phrases is introduced in the next topic.
주말에 쉬고 싶었어요.
(I) wanted to rest on the weekend.

쉬 from 쉬다 (to rest)
한국 음식을 먹고 싶어요.
(I) wanted to eat Korean food.

먹 from 먹다 (to eat)
전시회에 안 가고 싶었어요.
(I) didn't want to go to the exhibition.

가 from 가다 (to go)

While negating the phrase in this way (using 안) is possible, it sounds a bit awkwar. A better way to negate phrases is introduced in the next topic.
지금 저는 저 수영장에 가고 싶어요.
Now I want to go to that pool over there.

가 from 가다 (to go)