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Questions & Answers about sasil geunyeoneun bareumeul jikjeop gochigo sipeo hae.
What does -고 싶어 해 mean, and how is it different from -고 싶다?
- -고 싶다 literally means “want to do” and is used most naturally for the speaker’s own desire: 저는 쉬고 싶어요.
- For a third person, Korean prefers -고 싶어 하다 (conjugated here as -고 싶어 해) to present an observed or inferred desire: 그녀는 쉬고 싶어 해요 “She (seems to) want to rest.”
- Using -고 싶다 for third person is possible in narration or when clearly reporting their internal words/thoughts, but in everyday conversation -고 싶어 하다 sounds more natural and objective.
Is 싶어 해 written with a space or together as 싶어해?
Both appear in real life. By the spacing rule for auxiliary-like verbs, writing it with a space (싶어 해/싶어 해요) is the recommended form, but the attached form (싶어해/싶어해요) is also commonly accepted in practice. You’ll see both.
Why does the sentence end with 해? Is that polite?
- 해 is the intimate/casual style (the “plain” 해체), used with close friends, family, or in monologue.
- Polite alternatives:
- 고치고 싶어 해요 (polite/informal)
- 고치고 싶어 합니다 (polite/formal)
Is 그녀 the most natural way to say “she” in Korean?
Not usually. 그녀 tends to sound bookish or like translated Korean. In conversation people normally use:
- A name or title: 민지 씨는…, 선생님은…
- A deictic pronoun depending on relationship/context: 그분은 (respectful), 그 여자는 (can sound blunt), 걔는 (casual about someone younger/close). If context is clear, Korean often drops the subject entirely.
Why is it 그녀는 and not 그녀가?
- 는/은 marks a topic, often something already known or being contrasted: “As for her, …”
- 가/이 marks a new or focused subject: “It is she who …” In this sentence, 는 frames “her” as the topic (maybe contrasting with others).
What does 사실 add? How is 사실은 different?
- 사실 = “actually/in fact” as an adverb to correct or add background: “Actually, …”
- 사실은 adds the topic particle, giving a slightly heavier contrast or topic shift: “As a matter of fact, …” Both are fine here. 사실, … with a comma is common in writing.
Does 직접 mean “by herself”? How does it differ from 스스로 or 혼자서?
- 직접 = “directly/in person,” emphasizing no intermediary. It often means “herself” in practice, but focuses on being hands-on.
- 스스로 = “by oneself, of one’s own accord,” highlighting autonomy/self-initiative.
- 혼자서 = “alone/by oneself,” focusing on not having company/help. If you mean she wants to correct it on her own initiative, 스스로 can be even more natural: 발음을 스스로 고치고 싶어 해. If you mean not via a teacher or a tool, 직접 fits.
Is the placement of 직접 okay? Could I say 직접 발음을 고치고… instead?
Yes. Both are acceptable:
- 발음을 직접 고치고… (more common; directly modifies the action of fixing)
- 직접 발음을 고치고… (a bit stronger fronting of “directly”) Korean adverbs are flexible; the first feels most natural.
Is 발음을 고치다 the best phrasing? What about 교정하다, 수정하다, or 바로잡다?
- 발음을 고치다 = very natural, everyday “fix/improve pronunciation.”
- 발음(을) 교정하다 = more formal/technical (“correct/rectify,” also used for training/therapy).
- 수정하다 = “revise/edit” (texts/designs); not used for pronunciation.
- 바로잡다 = “set right/correct” (errors/attitudes); can collocate with 발음 but is more formal/literary than 고치다.
Why is it 발음을 and not 발음이?
고치다 is a transitive verb (“fix/correct”), so it takes an object marked with 을/를: 발음을 고치다. Using 이/가 would make “pronunciation” the subject, which doesn’t match this verb’s pattern.
Can I omit 발음을 if context is clear?
Yes. If “pronunciation” was just mentioned, you can drop it: 사실 그녀는 직접 고치고 싶어 해. Korean often omits understood objects. Without context, though, it becomes vague (“She wants to fix [what] herself?”).
What tense/aspect does 고치고 싶어 해 convey? How do I say past or future?
It’s present, describing a current/habitual desire. Variations:
- Past: 고치고 싶어 했어요 (“she wanted to”)
- Future/likely: 고치고 싶어 할 거예요 (“she will/would want to”)
- Progressive desire isn’t marked separately; context covers that.
Is 원하다 okay here, like 고치기를 원해?
Generally avoid 원하다 with verb clauses in everyday speech; it can sound stiff or translated. Prefer:
- 고치고 싶어 해요 (natural) If you must use 원하다, use it with nouns: 발음 교정을 원해요 (formal).
How would I say she wants someone else to correct it for her?
Use benefactive or “receive correction” patterns:
- 발음을 고쳐 줬으면 좋겠대(요). / 발음을 고쳐 주길 원해(요).
- 발음 교정을 받고 싶어 해(요). (she wants to receive pronunciation correction)
Any pronunciation tips for this sentence?
- 직접 is pronounced with tensification: roughly “jik-jjeop.”
- 싶어 often sounds like “shi-peo” → “shi-ppo.”
- 발음을 links smoothly: “ba-reu-meul.” All together you might hear: “sasil geunyeoneun bareumeul jikjjeop gochigo shippo hae.”
How would I make it honorific if “she” is someone I should respect?
- Topic honorific: 그분은/선생님은
- Verb honorific on 하다: 고치고 싶어 하세요 (polite) / 고치고 싶어 하십니다 (formal) Example: 사실 그분은 발음을 직접 고치고 싶어 하세요.