-고 싶다: Want to

Example Sentences#

1. 멈추지 않고 나아가고 싶어¹
   I want to keep moving forward
   • 싶다 is an auxiliary adjective meaning ‘to be desirous of’, used in the grammar pattern -고 싶다 to express an intention or desire to do the action described by the preceding statement.
   • 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 auxiliary adjective meaning ‘to be desirous of’, used in the grammar pattern -고 싶다 to express an intention or desire to do the action described by the preceding statement.
   • -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, framing it as a question, assumption, or speculation.
   • 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 auxiliary adjective meaning ‘to be desirous of’, used in the grammar pattern -고 싶다 to express an intention or desire to do the action described by the preceding statement.
   • -ㄴ is a modifier that turns the preceding statement into a phrase describing the following noun.
4. 나도 같이 가고 싶었는데!⁴
   I wish I could’ve gone with you!
   • 싶다 is an auxiliary adjective meaning ‘to be desirous of’, used in the grammar pattern -고 싶다 to express an intention or desire to do the action described by the preceding statement.
   • -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 auxiliary adjective meaning ‘to be desirous of’, used in the grammar pattern -고 싶다 to express an intention or desire to do the action described by the preceding statement.
   • -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 auxiliary adjective meaning ‘to be desirous of’, used in the grammar pattern -고 싶다 to express an intention or desire to do the action described by the preceding statement.
   • -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. “그러고 싶지만, 나는 시간이 많지 않아.⁸
   “I would like to, but I don’t have much time.
   • 싶다 is an auxiliary adjective meaning ‘to be desirous of’, used in the grammar pattern -고 싶다 to express an intention or desire to do the action described by the preceding statement.
   • -지만 is a connective ending used to introduce a contrasting statement, similar to ‘but’ or ‘although’ in English. It acknowledges the preceding statement while adding information that contrasts with or differs from it.
9. 가둔 세상을 부수고 싶었어⁹
   I wanted to break the world that confined us.
   • 싶다 is an auxiliary adjective meaning ‘to be desirous of’, used in the grammar pattern -고 싶다 to express an intention or desire to do the action described by the preceding statement.
   • 었 is a past tense marker.
   • 어 is a casual ending used in informal speech.
10. 나 떡볶이 먹고 싶어.¹⁰
    I want to eat tteokbokki.
    • 싶다 is an auxiliary adjective meaning ‘to be desirous of’, used in the grammar pattern -고 싶다 to express an intention or desire to do the action described by the preceding statement.
    • 어 is a casual ending used in informal speech.
11. 이 따뜻함 붙잡고 싶어¹
    I want to hold onto this warmth
    • 싶다 is an auxiliary adjective meaning ‘to be desirous of’, used in the grammar pattern -고 싶다 to express an intention or desire to do the action described by the preceding statement.
    • 어 is a casual ending used in informal speech.
12. 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 auxiliary adjective meaning ‘to be desirous of’, used in the grammar pattern -고 싶다 to express an intention or desire to do the action described by the preceding statement.
    • -지 않다 is a negation pattern, with 지 attached to the verb stem and 않다 as an auxiliary verb for negation.
13. 또 기회 되면 꼭 다시 가고 싶어.⁴
    I’d love to go again if I get the chance.
    • 싶다 is an auxiliary adjective meaning ‘to be desirous of’, used in the grammar pattern -고 싶다 to express an intention or desire to do the action described by the preceding statement.
    • -어 is a casual ending used in informal speech.
14. 다시 네 목에 붉은 끈 걸고파⁹
    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’.
15. 나 떡볶이 진짜 먹고 싶은데…¹⁰
    I really want to eat some tteokbokki though…
    • 싶다 is an auxiliary adjective meaning ‘to be desirous of’, used in the grammar pattern -고 싶다 to express an intention or desire to do the action described by the preceding statement.
    • -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.