14: V-고 싶어요

Learn Korean for Free | Beginner Korean Grammar #14

What do you want to eat, see, learn, or do in Korea? Add -고 싶어요 to an action verb and you can express that wish politely.

What Does V-고 싶어요 Mean?

Use V-고 싶어요 to say “I want to do…” or to ask the listener what they want to do. It follows action verbs, not nouns by themselves.

The Rule

Remove 다 and add -고 싶어요. The form is the same after vowels and consonants: 먹다 → 먹고 싶어요, 가다 → 가고 싶어요, 공부하다 → 공부하고 싶어요.

Useful Korean Words

Korean	English
먹다	to eat
마시다	to drink
보다	to see/watch
배우다	to learn
만나다	to meet
여행하다	to travel
쉬다	to rest
사다	to buy

Korean Grammar Examples

비빔밥을 먹고 싶어요.
I want to eat bibimbap.

한국 영화를 보고 싶어요.
I want to watch a Korean movie.

제주도에 여행하고 싶어요.
I want to travel to Jeju Island.

오늘은 집에서 쉬고 싶어요.
I want to rest at home today.

한국 친구를 만나고 싶어요.
I want to meet a Korean friend.

A Short Dialogue

A: 한국에서 뭐를 하고 싶어요? — What do you want to do in Korea?
B: 한복을 입고 싶어요. 그리고 경복궁에 가고 싶어요. — I want to wear hanbok and go to Gyeongbokgung.
A: 한국 음식도 먹고 싶어요? — Do you want to eat Korean food too?
B: 네, 불고기를 먹고 싶어요. — Yes, I want to eat bulgogi.

A Common Mistake to Avoid

For your own wish, use -고 싶어요. A direct question such as 뭐 먹고 싶어요? is natural with a friend or peer. To report another person’s observed desire, Korean commonly uses -고 싶어 해요: 민수 씨는 한국에 가고 싶어 해요. A noun needs a verb: 커피를 마시고 싶어요, not 커피고 싶어요.

Quick Quiz 🎯

Complete with -고 싶어요: ① 주말에 영화를 (보다). ② 한국어를 더 (배우다). ③ 따뜻한 차를 (마시다). ④ 오늘 일찍 (자다).

Answers and Explanation

① 영화를 보고 싶어요. ② 한국어를 더 배우고 싶어요. ③ 따뜻한 차를 마시고 싶어요. ④ 오늘 일찍 자고 싶어요. The unchanged connector -고 follows each verb stem.

Try It in Your Own Life

Say or write two original sentences with V-고 싶어요. Use a person, place, food, class, or daily routine that is real for you. Then change one detail and say the new sentence aloud. This small change helps you practice the grammar as a speaking tool rather than memorizing only one example.

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