Want and Can — -고 싶어요 and -(으)ㄹ 수 있어요

Add 고 싶어요 to a verb stem to say you want to do something, and 싶었어요 for the past. Add (으)ㄹ 수 있어요 to say you can do something, and 수 없어요 to say you cannot. For other people's wishes, use 싶어해요.

1. Why learn this

Two of the first things you want to say in any language are "I want to..." and "I can...". You order food, make plans, and explain what you are able to do. With just these two patterns you can talk about wishes and abilities in daily life.

Both patterns attach to the verb stem, so you only need to know the dictionary form of a verb. Once you learn them, every verb you know works with them. 가다 gives 가고 싶어요 and 갈 수 있어요. The spelling has a few small rules. The ability pattern changes after a vowel or a consonant, and ㄹ-stems need special care. The word 수 is also a separate word, so you must leave a space. This lesson walks through each rule step by step.