Korean for Aspirations: Talk About Future Jobs and Goals
Learn to say what you want to be and share future plans in Korean using -고 싶어요 and -(으)려고 해요. Suitable for elementary learners.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
In this lesson, you will learn how to talk about your aspirations in Korean, such as wanting to become a doctor or aiming for a promotion. You will use two essential patterns: -고 싶어요 (I want to...) and -(으)려고 해요 (I plan/intend to...). These patterns allow you to express desires and future intentions. You will also learn vocabulary for jobs and career moves. By the end, you will be able to share your own goals and ask others about theirs.
By the end, you can…
- say what job I want to have using -고 싶어요.
- express my intention or plan using -(으)려고 해요.
- ask someone about their future aspirations.
- talk about career goals like getting a promotion.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
의사가 되고 싶어요.
I want to become a doctor.
ui-sa-ga doe-go si-peo-yo
Use this to state a desired profession. '의사' means doctor; '가' is the subject particle.
승진하고 싶어요.
I want to get a promotion.
seung-jin-ha-go si-peo-yo
Use for wanting a promotion at work. '승진하다' means to be promoted.
내년에 유학을 가려고 해요.
I plan to study abroad next year.
nae-nyeon-e yu-hak-eul ga-ryeo-go hae-yo
Express a plan or intention. '유학을 가다' means to go abroad to study.
변호사가 되려고 해요.
I intend to become a lawyer.
byeon-ho-sa-ga doe-ryeo-go hae-yo
State a goal you are working toward. '변호사' means lawyer.
나중에 뭐가 되고 싶어요?
What do you want to be in the future?
na-jung-e mwo-ga doe-go si-peo-yo
Ask someone about their future aspiration. '나중에' means later/in the future.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern -고 싶어요 expresses a desire to do something. Attach it to the verb stem. For example, '되다' (to become) becomes '되고 싶어요' (I want to become). '하다' (to do) becomes '하고 싶어요' (I want to do). To say what you want to become, use 'Noun + 이/가 되고 싶어요'. For example, '의사가 되고 싶어요' (I want to become a doctor). The subject particle 이/가 is used after the noun. If the noun ends in a consonant, use 이; if it ends in a vowel, use 가. For instance, '선생님이 되고 싶어요' (I want to become a teacher) because '선생님' ends in a consonant.
When to use it
Use -고 싶어요 when you want to express a personal desire. It is polite and suitable for most situations. Use -(으)려고 해요 to express a plan or intention. For example, '유학을 가려고 해요' means 'I plan to study abroad.' This pattern is used when you have decided on a future action. It is also polite. To ask about someone's aspiration, say '뭐가 되고 싶어요?' (What do you want to become?). To ask about plans, say '뭐 하려고 해요?' (What are you planning to do?). Remember that -(으)려고 해요 is attached to the verb stem: if the stem ends in a vowel, use -려고 해요; if it ends in a consonant, use -으려고 해요. For example, '가다' becomes '가려고 해요', and '먹다' becomes '먹으려고 해요'.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
나중에 뭐가 되고 싶어요?
What do you want to be in the future?na-jung-e mwo-ga doe-go si-peo-yo저는 의사가 되고 싶어요. 그래서 열심히 공부하려고 해요.
I want to become a doctor. So I plan to study hard.jeo-neun ui-sa-ga doe-go si-peo-yo. geu-rae-seo yeol-sim-hi gong-bu-ha-ryeo-go hae-yo멋지네요! 저는 승진하고 싶어요. 회사에서 더 일하려고 해요.
That's cool! I want to get a promotion. I plan to work more at the company.meot-ji-ne-yo! jeo-neun seung-jin-ha-go si-peo-yo. hoe-sa-e-seo deo il-ha-ryeo-go hae-yo화이팅! 꼭 이루고 싶어요.
Fighting! I really want to achieve it.hwa-i-ting! kkok i-ru-go si-peo-yoA little context goes a long way
In Korean, expressing aspirations with -고 싶어요 and -(으)려고 해요 is common and polite. However, when talking about career goals, Koreans often use softer language to avoid sounding overly ambitious. For example, instead of directly saying 'I will become a doctor,' you might say '의사가 되고 싶어요' (I want to become a doctor). Also, '화이팅' (fighting) is a popular cheer meaning 'Go for it!' or 'You can do it!' It is used among friends and colleagues.
One thing to watch for
Using -고 싶어요 with a noun directly, as in '의사 싶어요'.
Try this instead: You must use the verb '되다' (to become) before -고 싶어요. Say '의사가 되고 싶어요'. The noun takes the subject particle 이/가, and then the verb 되다 is used.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I want to become a teacher' in Korean?
Show a sample answer
선생님이 되고 싶어요.
'선생님' means teacher. It ends in a consonant, so use the subject particle '이'. Then add '되고 싶어요' to express desire.
2Translate: 'I plan to get a promotion.'
Show a sample answer
승진하려고 해요.
'승진하다' means to be promoted. The verb stem '승진하-' ends in a vowel, so use '-려고 해요'. This expresses a plan or intention. Alternatively, you can say '승진하고 싶어요' to express desire, but the meaning is slightly different.
3Ask someone: 'What do you want to be in the future?'
Show a sample answer
나중에 뭐가 되고 싶어요?
'나중에' means in the future. '뭐가' means what (subject). '되고 싶어요' means want to become. This is a polite and common way to ask about aspirations. You can also say '장래에 뭐가 되고 싶어요?' using '장래에' which is more formal.
Use -고 싶어요 to express what you want to be or do, and -(으)려고 해요 to share your plans. Remember to use the verb 되다 with nouns for professions. Practice by talking about your own aspirations!
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