Example Sentences#

1. 체셔 고양이: “그건 네가 어디로 가고 싶은지에 달려 있어,” 고양이가 말했다.¹
   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.

2. 나만 바라보고 싶은 너의 미소²
   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.

3. 분위기도 참 따뜻해서 계속 보고 싶어지더라.³
   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 report a personal observation or experience from the past, often conveying a sense of surprise or new realization. It’s composed of -더- (a retrospective suffix conveying past personal experience or observation) and -라 (a declarative sentence-ending used to state a fact or observation).

4. “라사로야, 오늘은 너와 이 포도를 똑같이 나누어 먹고 싶구나.⁴
   “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 sentence ending used to express a feeling (such as surprise, wonder, or realization) upon discovering or hearing about a new fact, primarily reflecting the speaker’s introspective reaction. In this context, it reflects the character’s realization of their own desire, vocalizing this internal thought in a reflective manner that shares a newfound understanding with the listener.

5. 나 떡볶이 먹고 싶어.⁵
   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.

6. 앨리스: “하지만 저는 미친 사람들 사이에 가고 싶지 않아요,” 앨리스가 말했다.¹
   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.

7. 나 떡볶이 진짜 먹고 싶은데…⁵
   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 provides background information or sets the scene for what follows. It can also express contrast, surprise, or hesitation. When used as a sentence-final ending, it leaves the statement open-ended, prompting the listener to infer the unspoken message, respond, or provide further details, making the statement less direct and facilitating polite and interactive communication.