😊 Want Something in Korean? How to Use -고 싶어요 to Express Desire – Beginner Level (TOPIK 1–2)

Do you want to eat Korean food or visit Seoul? In Korean, you can express what you want politely using “-고 싶어요.”

This guide will teach you how to form sentences with -고 싶어요, provide practice examples, and give cultural tips so you can confidently talk about your desires in Korean conversations.

📚 Table of Contents

• Meaning of -고 싶어요
• Grammar Rules and Formation
• Example Sentences with -고 싶어요
• Practice Dialogue
• Did You Know? Cultural Note
• Final Thoughts

🌟 Meaning of -고 싶어요

“-고 싶어요” is one of the first expressions beginners learn to show what they want to do in Korean. It literally means “I want to (verb).” For example: 먹고 싶어요 (I want to eat), 가고 싶어요 (I want to go).

This polite form is perfect for daily conversations, ordering food, or telling friends your plans.

📝 Grammar Rules and Formation

**How to form -고 싶어요:**

1. Take the verb stem (remove -다).
   Example: 먹다 → 먹
2. Add “-고 싶어요” after the stem.
   먹 + 고 싶어요 → 먹고 싶어요 (I want to eat)
3. Use it with any action verb: 가다 → 가고 싶어요 (I want to go)

Important: This expression cannot be used with adjectives like 예쁘다 (pretty). It’s only for actions you want to do.

💬 Example Sentences with -고 싶어요

• 김치 먹고 싶어요 – Kimchi meok-go si-peo-yo – I want to eat kimchi.
• 서울에 가고 싶어요 – Seo-ul-e ga-go si-peo-yo – I want to go to Seoul.
• 한국어 공부하고 싶어요 – Han-gu-geo gong-bu-ha-go si-peo-yo – I want to study Korean.
• 커피 마시고 싶어요 – Keo-pi ma-si-go si-peo-yo – I want to drink coffee.

💡 Note: Did you see the repeated pattern “-고 싶어요” after each verb? Try creating three new sentences using your favorite activities (like reading, traveling, or watching K-dramas) and share them in the comments!

🗣️ Practice Dialogue

A: 오늘 뭐 하고 싶어요? – O-neul mwo ha-go si-peo-yo? – What do you want to do today?

B: 영화 보고 싶어요. – Yeong-hwa bo-go si-peo-yo. – I want to watch a movie.

A: 팝콘도 먹고 싶어요? – Pap-kon-do meok-go si-peo-yo? – Do you also want to eat popcorn?

B: 네, 팝콘도 먹고 싶어요! – Ne, pap-kon-do meok-go si-peo-yo! – Yes, I want to eat popcorn too!

🧩 Quick Check: In the dialogue, how many times did you see “-고 싶어요”? Can you change “영화 보고 싶어요” to “책 읽고 싶어요” (I want to read a book)?

🌏 Did You Know? Cultural Note

In Korean culture, being polite when expressing desires is important. Beginners often forget to use “-요,” but without it, the sentence may sound blunt or even rude. Always say “-고 싶어요” instead of just “-고 싶어” unless speaking with close friends your age.

Also, Koreans sometimes use “-고 싶다” in diaries or thoughts (not polite form), like “한국에 가고 싶다” (I want to go to Korea) to express inner feelings.

📦 Final Thoughts

Learning to use “-고 싶어요” is a must for Korean beginners. It helps you talk about your plans, food cravings, and travel dreams in polite Korean. Practice this daily by saying what you want to do today — you’ll be surprised how often you use it in real conversations!

I hope that while reading various posts on my blog, you’ll learn Korean and grow to love Korea. As a Korean, I sincerely wish for that. Please come back anytime to discover new expressions and cultural insights!

🎓 Want to practice speaking politely in Korean? Book a 1:1 Korean class on italki and learn how to use expressions like “-고 싶어요” in real life!

💬 Stay connected for new updates:

• 📄 Save this post: Copy the URL and bookmark it for later!
• 📤 Share with a friend: Send the link to fellow learners.
• 💬 Leave a comment: What do you want to do in Korea? Write it using “-고 싶어요.”