Example Sentences#

1. 멈추지 않고 나아가고 싶어¹
   I want to keep moving forward

   • 싶다 is an adjective meaning ‘to be desirous of’, and when used after the connective ending -고, it expresses a desire to do something or to be in a certain state.
   • 어 is a casual ending used in informal speech.

2. 체셔 고양이: “그건 네가 어디로 가고 싶은지에 달려 있어,” 고양이가 말했다.²
   Cheshire Cat: “That depends on where you want to go,” said the cat.

   • 싶다 is an adjective meaning ‘to be desirous of’, and when used after the connective ending -고, it expresses a desire to do something or to be in a certain state.
   • -은지 is a connective ending used to indicate uncertainty or doubt about a present action or state. It encapsulates the clause as a noun form, often used in contexts where there is a question, assumption, or speculation about what is happening.
   • 에 is a particle indicating the cause or basis for something.

3. 나만 바라보고 싶은 너의 미소³
   Your smile, which I want to keep to myself

   • 싶다 is an adjective meaning ‘to be desirous of’, and when used after the connective ending -고, it expresses a desire to do something or to be in a certain state.
   • ㄴ is a modifier that makes the preceding statement function as an adnominal phrase describing the following noun.

4. 나도 같이 가고 싶었는데!⁴
   I wish I could’ve gone with you!

   • 싶다 is an adjective meaning ‘to be desirous of’, and when used after the connective ending -고, it expresses a desire to do something or to be in a certain state.
   • -었- is a past tense marker.
   • -는데 is a connective ending that links clauses by providing circumstances or context for the following statement. Used as a sentence-final ending, it leaves the statement open-ended, prompting the listener to infer an unspoken message or respond, often conveying surprise, hesitation, subtle contrast, or exclamation, making the statement less direct and facilitating polite, interactive communication.

5. 분위기도 참 따뜻해서 계속 보고 싶어지더라.⁵
   The atmosphere was so heartwarming that I found myself wanting to keep watching.

   • 싶다 is an adjective meaning ‘to be desirous of’, and when used after the connective ending -고, it expresses a desire to do something or to be in a certain state.
   • -어지다 is a grammatical pattern indicating a change of state or gradual becoming.
   • -더라 is a grammar pattern used to state a fact the speaker has realized through personal experience or observation, often conveying a sense of newfound understanding. It’s composed of -더- (a retrospective suffix conveying past personal experience or observation) and -라 (an exclamatory declarative sentence-ending used to state a fact or observation).

6. “라사로야, 오늘은 너와 이 포도를 똑같이 나누어 먹고 싶구나.⁶
   “Lazaro, today I want to share these grapes evenly with you.

   • 싶다 is an adjective meaning ‘to be desirous of’, and when used after the connective ending -고, it expresses a desire to do something or to be in a certain state.
   • -구나 is a casual exclamatory ending expressing an introspective reaction, often reflecting understanding, realization, or an internal conclusion drawn from processing new information or recognizing a fact.

7. 길 남기지 않는 발자국 되고파⁷
   I want to be footprints that leave no trail

   • 되다 means ‘to become’.
   • 고파 is a casual contracted form of -고 싶다, a grammar pattern expressing desire or wish, meaning ‘want to’.

8. 가둔 세상을 부수고 싶었어⁸
   I wanted to break the world that confined us.

   • 싶다 is an adjective meaning ‘to be desirous of’, and when used after the connective ending -고, it expresses a desire to do something or to be in a certain state.
   • 었 is a past tense marker.
   • 어 is a casual ending used in informal speech.

9. 나 떡볶이 먹고 싶어.⁹
   I want to eat tteokbokki.

   • 싶다 is an adjective meaning ‘to be desirous of’, and when used after the connective ending -고, it expresses a desire to do something or to be in a certain state.
   • 어 is a casual ending used in informal speech.

10. 이 따뜻함 붙잡고 싶어¹
    I want to hold onto this warmth

    • 싶다 is an adjective meaning ‘to be desirous of’, and when used after the connective ending -고, it expresses a desire to do something or to be in a certain state.
    • 어 is a casual ending used in informal speech.

11. 앨리스: “하지만 저는 미친 사람들 사이에 가고 싶지 않아요,” 앨리스가 말했다.²
    Alice: “But I don’t want to go among mad people,” said Alice.

    • 싶다 is an adjective meaning ‘to be desirous of’, and when used after the connective ending -고, it expresses a desire to do something or to be in a certain state.
    • -지 않다 is a negation pattern, with 지 attached to the verb stem and 않다 as an auxiliary verb for negation.

12. 또 기회 되면 꼭 다시 가고 싶어.⁴
    I’d love to go again if I get the chance.

    • 싶다 is an adjective meaning ‘to be desirous of’, and when used after the connective ending -고, it expresses a desire to do something or to be in a certain state.
    • -어 is a casual ending used in informal speech.

13. 다시 네 목에 붉은 끈 걸고파⁸
    I want to wrap the red ribbon around your neck once again.

    • 걸다 means ‘to hang’.
    • 고파 is a casual contracted form of -고 싶다, a grammar pattern expressing desire or wish, meaning ‘want to’.

14. 나 떡볶이 진짜 먹고 싶은데…⁹
    I really want to eat some tteokbokki though…

    • 싶다 is an adjective meaning ‘to be desirous of’, and when used after the connective ending -고, it expresses a desire to do something or to be in a certain state.
    • -은데 is a connective ending that links clauses by providing circumstances or context for the following statement. Used as a sentence-final ending, it leaves the statement open-ended, prompting the listener to infer an unspoken message or respond, often conveying surprise, hesitation, subtle contrast, or exclamation, making the statement less direct and facilitating polite, interactive communication.