What does 보고 싶어 mean?

보고 싶어 (bo-gosip-eo, bogosipeo)

보고 싶어 expresses missing someone or wanting to see them.

Korean phrase 보고 싶어 meaning I miss you

Definition & nuance

Core meaning and shades learners miss.

보고 싶어(bo-gosip-eo, bogosipeo)

보고 싶어 is the informal form of '보고 싶다,' meaning to miss or want to see someone.

Nuances

  • Casual speech used only among close people
  • Includes longing beyond just meeting
  • Strong emotional expression to the listener
  • Not suitable for formal situations

When to use

Talking with friends, Between lovers, Among family, Expressing feelings

In context

'보고 싶어' comes from the verb '보다' plus '-고 싶다' meaning 'want to see.' It's the informal, casual way to say it, used among close friends or family, often with the subject omitted.

Real-world examples

  • 너 정말 보고 싶어.

    neo jeong-mal bo-go sip-eo., neo jeong mal bo go sip eo.

    Natural sentence expressing feelings directly to a close person.

  • 보고 싶어 친구가.

    bo-go sip-eo chin-gu-ga., bo go sip eo chin gu ga.

    Incorrect grammar due to awkward subject-object placement.

  • 엄마가 보고 싶어.

    eom-ma-ga bo-go sip-eo., eom ma ga bo go sip eo.

    Natural sentence with omitted subject and '엄마가' as object.

  • 보고 싶어 합니다.

    bo-go sip-eo hap-ni-da., bo go sip eo hap ni da.

    Polite form suitable for formal situations.

  • 보고 싶어 하다 너.

    bo-go sip-eo ha-da neo., bo go sip eo ha da neo.

    Incorrect word order makes this sentence ungrammatical.

  • 나는 너를 보고 싶어.

    na-neun neo-reul bo-go sip-eo., na neun neo reul bo go sip eo.

    Natural sentence clearly stating subject and object.

Quick quiz

  1. When is '보고 싶어' mainly used?

    '보고 싶어'는 어떤 상황에서 주로 쓰이나요?('bo-gosip-eo'neuneo-tteonsang-hwang-e-seoju-rosseu-i-na-yo?, 'bogosipeo'neuneotteonsanghwangeseojurosseuinayo?)
  2. Which of the following is a correct sentence with '보고 싶어'?

    다음 중 '보고 싶어' 문장으로 올바른 것은?(da-eumjung'bo-gosip-eo'mun-jang-eu-rool-ba-reungeos-eun?, daeumjung'bogosipeo'munjangeuroolbareungeoseun?)
  3. What is the polite form of '보고 싶어'?

    '보고 싶어'의 존댓말 표현은?('bo-gosip-eo'uijon-daes-malpyo-hyeon-eun?, 'bogosipeo'uijondaesmalpyohyeoneun?)

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