-고 싶다
Quick answer: -고 싶다 means want to — what you would like to do.
How to form it
Stem + 고 싶어요 · the same form whether or not the stem ends in a consonant
In Korean: 어간 + 고 싶어요 받침과 상관없습니다
What to know
Use it about yourself and when asking someone directly. Korean avoids 싶어요 about a third person — for that, speakers say 싶어 해요 instead, which you will meet later. For now, keep it to 저 and 씨 questions.
Examples
- 여행을 하고 싶어요.I want to travel.
- 노래를 부르고 싶어요.I want to sing.
- 사진을 찍고 싶어요.I want to take photos.
Where it's taught
HanDa Level 1 (TOPIK I), Lesson 12: 주말에 친구를 만날 거예요 — I'm going to meet a friend at the weekend. Also in the Level 1 book.
Learned in the same lesson: -(으)ㄹ 거예요.
Practise -고 싶다 out loud
In the HanDa app this is Level 1, Lesson 12 — drills, a speaking check and an AI teacher that corrects what you say. Free for 7 days.