싶다

Korean

Etymology

First attested in the Worin cheon'gangjigok (月印千江之曲 / 월인천강지곡), 1449, as Middle Korean 식브다〮 (Yale: sìkpù-tá). The earliest Middle Korean uses are semantically different, with the meaning "to seem to be about to do".

The adjective was originally derived from Old Korean 爲只 (*SIk-, “to act”) by the adjective-deriving suffix 브 (Yale: -pu), but has since become a single morpheme. Thus related to 시키다 (sikida, “to cause to do”).

Pronunciation

• (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key):

  • (file)

• Phonetic hangul:

Adjective

싶다 • (sipda) (infinitive 싶어, sequential 싶으니)

1. (after the verb suffix 고 (-go)) to be desirous of, to want

   마이크로소프트사와의 거래에 관하여 함께 검토하고 싶습니다.

   Maikeurosopeuteusa-wa-ui georae-e gwanhayeo hamkke geomtohago sipseumnida.

   I'd like to review the Microsoft account with you.

   공원에 정말 가고 싶다.

   Gong'won-e jeongmal gago sipda.

   really want to go the park.

   정말 갖고 싶은 상품들

   jeongmal gatgo sipeun sangpumdeul

   products that really want to own

2. Used after a clause with a sentence ending that expresses a sentiment or subjective speculation, commonly ㄴ가 (-n'ga), 나 (-na), ㄹ까 (-lkka), 으면 (-eumyeon), and 다 (-da), to state that the subject feels that certain way.

   내일 비가 왔으면 싶다.

   Naeil bi-ga wasseumyeon sipda.

   feel like want rainfall tomorrow.

   어머니는 저게 뭔가 싶으셨다.

   Eomeoni-neun jeoge mwon'ga sipeusyeotda.

   Mother was confused as to what that was.

   운동을 안 했으니 살이 쪘겠지 싶어.

   Undong-eul an haesseuni sar-i jjeotgetji sipeo.

   feel like gained weight because didn't exercise.

Usage notes

Unlike the English word "want", 싶다 (sipda) can only take a verb. To convey the meaning of "want something" with nouns, use 갖고 싶다 (gatgo sipda, literally “want to have”) or 원하다 (願—, wonhada).

Conjugation