고 싶다

Want and can (고 싶다 / 수 있다)

Ask for what you want and say what you can do — two frames that unlock travel Korean.

고 싶다

Attach 고 싶다 to a verb stem: 먹고 싶어요 (I want to eat). Soften a request with 고 싶은데요 at a counter. Honorific want is not *싶으시다 on yourself — just keep 해요체 unless you are talking about an elder’s wish.

수 있다 / 수 없다

갈 수 있어요? “Can we go?” 카드 쓸 수 있어요? “Can I use a card?” Negate with 수 없어요. Ability and permission both live here; context tells which.

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