The Verb World · Lesson 4 of 6

Want, Can & Let's

Express desire, ability, and invitations — ~고 싶어요, ~(으)ㄹ 수 있어요, ~(으)ㄹ까요?

12 min

Now your verbs gain feelings and possibilities — wanting, being able, and inviting. Three patterns, each built right onto the stem you already know.

~고 싶어요 — “I want to…”

Attach ~고 싶어요 to any verb stem:

가고 싶어요

gago sipeoyo

I want to go

먹고 싶어요 (want to eat), 보고 싶어요 (want to see — also “I miss you”!).

한국에to Korea가고 싶어요want to go

I want to go to Korea.

좋아하다 vs 좋다 — a classic mix-up

Both touch “like/good,” but they work differently:

커피 좋아해요

keopi joahaeyo

I like coffee

좋아하다 = to like (an action you do). Takes 을/를: 커피를 좋아해요.

커피 좋아요

keopi joayo

Coffee is good / I like it

좋다 = to be good (a quality). 좋아요 describes the thing itself.

~(으)ㄹ 수 있어요 — “I can…”

Ability: ㄹ 수 있어요 after a vowel stem, 을 수 있어요 after a consonant. Swap 있어요 → 없어요 for “can't.”

갈 수 있어요

gal su isseoyo

I can go

먹을 수 있어요 (can eat), 먹을 수 없어요 (can't). 할 수 있어요 from Course 4 lives here.

~(으)ㄹ까요? — “Shall we…?”

Suggestions and offers: ㄹ까요? / 을까요?

갈까요?

galkkayo?

Shall we go? / Shall I go?

먹을까요? (shall we eat?), 커피 마실까요? (shall we get coffee?). Warm and inviting.

Try it

Say “I want to eat bibimbap.”Show answer

비빔밥 먹고 싶어요.

“Do you like Korean food?” — which verb, 좋아하다 or 좋다?Show answer

한국 음식 좋아해요? — liking as an action → 좋아하다.

Invite a friend: “Shall we drink coffee?”Show answer

커피 마실까요? — 마시- + ㄹ까요?.

What you just learned

~고 싶어요 = want to; 보고 싶어요 also means “I miss you.”
좋아하다 (to like, takes an object) vs 좋다 (to be good).
~(으)ㄹ 수 있어요/없어요 = can / can't.
~(으)ㄹ까요? invites: 갈까요?, 먹을까요?.

Quick check

Did it stick?

Three quick questions — instant answers, no grades, no pressure.

1.“I want to go” is…

2.“I like coffee” (as an action) uses…

3.“Shall we eat?” is…

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