-고 싶다 vs -(으)면 좋겠다

Beginner · TOPIK I

-고 싶다 is a direct desire to do something yourself; -(으)면 좋겠다 is a wish that a situation would come about — it can involve other people or things beyond your control.

-고 싶다An expression used to state that the speaker wants to do the act mentioned in the preceding statement.-(으)면 좋겠다An expression used to indicate the speaker's hope or wish, or the speaker's wish that the result would be different from reality.

Rules of thumb

Wanting to do an action yourself: -고 싶다 (한국에 가고 싶어요 'I want to go to Korea').
Wishing about the weather, other people or circumstances: -(으)면 좋겠다 (비가 안 오면 좋겠어요 'I hope it doesn't rain'). -고 싶다 can't do this.
-았/었으면 좋겠다 is very common and sounds more heartfelt (빨리 나았으면 좋겠어요 'I hope you get well soon').
-(으)면 좋겠다 also softens requests (좀 조용히 해 주면 좋겠어요 'It would be nice if you kept it down').
With a third-person subject, -고 싶다 becomes -고 싶어 하다.

Example sentences

-고 싶다
I want to go to Jeju Island this vacation.
-(으)면 좋겠다
We have a picnic tomorrow — I hope it doesn't rain.
내일 비가 안 오고 싶어요.
Incorrect
I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow. [Wrong: the weather isn't the speaker's own action; use -ass/eosseumyeon joketda]
-(으)면 좋겠다
I hope my mom gets better soon.
-고 싶다
Today I just want to rest at home.

← All confused pairs