Dreaming Big: 'If I won the lottery...'

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Dreaming Big: Lottery & Windfall Scenarios

Talk about what you'd do with sudden wealth — a classic Korean conversation topic.

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Iru Helper Note

"What would you do if you won the lottery?" is one of the most beloved small-talk hypotheticals in Korean. It's a fun, safe way to learn wishes, desires, and dreaming vocabulary.

복권에 당첨된다면 뭐 하고 싶어요?

(If you won the lottery, what would you want to do?)

🎰 What You'll Learn Today

The lottery hypothetical — 복권에 당첨된다면 — is a beloved topic in Korean small talk and a wonderful way to practice wishing, planning, and dreaming in Korean. Beyond lotteries, Koreans often discuss sudden windfalls, imagined wealth, and "if money were no object" scenarios. This lesson covers the key vocabulary and expressions you need to participate in these conversations and dream big in Korean.

📌 Dreaming Big Vocabulary

Expression	Meaning	Notes
복권에 당첨되다	To win the lottery	복권 = lottery ticket; 당첨 = winning
일등에 당첨되다	To win first prize	일등 = first place
일확천금	Sudden huge windfall	Literally "instant fortune"
~하고 싶어요	I want to ~	Expressing wishes
먼저 ~할 것 같아요	First I think I'd ~	Starting a wish list
일을 그만두다	To quit work	Very popular lottery answer
세계 여행을 하다	To travel the world	세계 = world; 여행 = travel
집을 사다	To buy a house	집 = house; 사다 = to buy
가족한테 나눠 주다	To share with family	나눠 주다 = to distribute/give
투자하다	To invest	투자 = investment
기부하다	To donate	기부 = donation
사치를 부리다	To indulge in luxury	사치 = luxury; 부리다 = to exert
아무것도 안 하고 쉬다	To rest without doing anything	The dream!
꿈이 이루어지다	For a dream to come true	이루어지다 = to be realized

💡 Key pattern: 복권에 당첨된다면, 먼저 ~하고, 그 다음에 ~할 것 같아요 — this "if I won, first I'd... then I'd..." structure lets you build a whole wish-list conversation naturally.

💬 Conversations in Action

Dialogue 1 — Classic Lottery Question

A: 복권에 당첨된다면 뭐 하고 싶어요? (If you won the lottery, what would you want to do?)

B: 먼저 일을 그만두고 싶어요. 그 다음에 세계 여행을 할 것 같아요! (First I'd want to quit work. Then I think I'd travel the world!)

A: 가족한테도 나눠 줄 거예요? (Would you share with your family too?)

B: 물론이죠! 그리고 좀 기부도 하고 싶어요. 꿈이 이루어지면 좋겠어요. (Of course! And I'd also want to donate a bit. I hope the dream comes true.)

Dialogue 2 — Different Priorities

A: 갑자기 큰돈이 생기면 어떻게 할 것 같아요? (If you suddenly came into a lot of money, what do you think you'd do?)

B: 저는 투자를 먼저 할 것 같아요. 그리고 집을 사고 싶어요. (I think I'd invest first. And I'd want to buy a house.)

A: 사치는 안 부려요? (You wouldn't indulge in luxury?)

B: 조금은 하고 싶죠! 아무것도 안 하고 그냥 쉬고 싶어요, 한 달만요. (A little, I would! I want to just rest without doing anything — just for a month.)

🌏 Cultural Note — Korean Lottery Culture

The Korean lottery (로또, styled after "lotto") is hugely popular, with draws every Saturday. 로또 1등 (first-prize winner) stories regularly appear in news and are a common cultural reference. It's socially normal and fun to discuss "if I won the lottery" — it reveals personality, values, and priorities. Someone who says 기부하고 싶어요 (I'd want to donate) first is often viewed positively, while 일을 그만두다 (quit work) is arguably the most universal first answer.

<summary>Try This Speaking Exercise

Practice dreaming big in Korean — what would you do?

A. Say you'd want to quit work first.

<summary>Answer

먼저 일을 그만두고 싶어요. (First I'd want to quit work.)

</summary>

B. Say you'd travel the world.

<summary>Answer

세계 여행을 하고 싶어요. (I'd want to travel the world.)

</summary>

C. Say you'd share with your family.

<summary>Answer

가족한테 나눠 줄 것 같아요. (I think I'd share with my family.)

</summary>

D. Say you'd donate some.

<summary>Answer

좀 기부도 하고 싶어요. (I'd also want to donate a bit.)

</summary>

E. Use 먼저 ~ 하고, 그 다음에 ~ to list two things.

<summary>Answer

먼저 집을 사고, 그 다음에 세계 여행을 할 것 같아요. (First I'd buy a house, then I think I'd travel the world.)

</summary>

F. Say you'd invest first.

<summary>Answer

먼저 투자를 할 것 같아요. (I think I'd invest first.)

</summary>

G. Say you'd indulge in a little luxury.

<summary>Answer

조금 사치를 부리고 싶어요. (I'd want to indulge in a little luxury.)

</summary>

H. Say you'd just rest without doing anything.

<summary>Answer

아무것도 안 하고 그냥 쉬고 싶어요. (I'd just want to rest without doing anything.)

</summary>

I. Express hope that your dream comes true.

<summary>Answer

꿈이 이루어지면 좋겠어요. (I hope my dream comes true.)

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J. Ask someone what they'd do if they won the lottery.

<summary>Answer

복권에 당첨된다면 뭐 하고 싶어요? (If you won the lottery, what would you want to do?)

</summary>

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Expression Reference

Expression	Nuance/Key
복권에 당첨되다	To win the lottery
일을 그만두다	To quit work
세계 여행을 하다	To travel the world
가족한테 나눠 주다	To share with family
기부하다	To donate
투자하다	To invest
집을 사다	To buy a house
사치를 부리다	To indulge in luxury
아무것도 안 하고 쉬다	To rest without doing anything
꿈이 이루어지다	For a dream to come true

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Tip: ~할 것 같아요 vs. ~하고 싶어요

~하고 싶어요 = I want to ~ (expressing desire). ~할 것 같아요 = I think I'd ~ (speculating about likely behavior). When answering a lottery hypothetical, mix both: 먼저 투자할 것 같아요, 그리고 여행도 하고 싶어요. This makes your answer sound natural and thoughtful.

</summary>

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Want more reps?

Try answering 복권에 당첨된다면 뭐 하고 싶어요? with a full 5-sentence response. Use 먼저, 그 다음에, 그리고, 마지막으로 to sequence your wish list. Challenge: include 기부하다 or 투자하다 and explain why!

📦 Practice Hub — Dreaming Big: Lottery & Windfalls

Exercise 1 — Choose the Right Expression

Choose the best expression for each situation.

A. You want to say "to win the lottery": (a) 복권을 사다 (b) 복권에 당첨되다 (c) 복권을 팔다

<summary>Answer

(b) 복권에 당첨되다 — 당첨되다 = to win/be selected.

B. You want to say you'd quit work first: (a) 일을 더 하고 싶어요 (b) 일을 찾고 싶어요 (c) 먼저 일을 그만두고 싶어요

<summary>Answer

C. You want to say you'd travel the world: (a) 세계 여행을 하고 싶어요 (b) 동네 여행을 하고 싶어요 (c) 바다 여행을 하고 싶어요

<summary>Answer

(a) 세계 여행을 하고 싶어요 — 세계 = world.

D. You want to say you'd share with family: (a) 가족한테 빌려 줄 거예요 (b) 가족한테 나눠 줄 거예요 (c) 가족한테 받을 거예요

<summary>Answer

(b) 가족한테 나눠 줄 거예요 — 나눠 주다 = to divide and give.

E. You want to say you'd donate: (a) 기부하고 싶어요 (b) 저금하고 싶어요 (c) 빌리고 싶어요

<summary>Answer

(a) 기부하고 싶어요 — 기부 = donation.

F. You want to say you'd invest: (a) 낭비할 것 같아요 (b) 투자할 것 같아요 (c) 환불할 것 같아요

<summary>Answer

(b) 투자할 것 같아요 — 투자하다 = to invest.

G. You want to say you'd indulge in luxury: (a) 사치를 부리고 싶어요 (b) 검소하게 살고 싶어요 (c) 절약하고 싶어요

<summary>Answer

(a) 사치를 부리고 싶어요 — 사치 = luxury; 부리다 = to exercise/exert.

H. You want to say you'd just rest: (a) 바쁘게 일하고 싶어요 (b) 아무것도 안 하고 그냥 쉬고 싶어요 (c) 운동을 열심히 하고 싶어요

<summary>Answer

(b) 아무것도 안 하고 그냥 쉬고 싶어요 — the ultimate rest answer.

I. You want to express hope a dream comes true: (a) 꿈이 이루어지면 좋겠어요 (b) 꿈이 끝나면 좋겠어요 (c) 꿈이 없어지면 좋겠어요

<summary>Answer

(a) 꿈이 이루어지면 좋겠어요 — 이루어지다 = to be realized/come true.

J. You want to ask someone what they'd do with sudden wealth: (a) 갑자기 큰돈이 생기면 어떻게 할 것 같아요? (b) 돈이 없으면 어떻게 해요? (c) 돈을 어디서 빌릴 수 있어요?

<summary>Answer

(a) 갑자기 큰돈이 생기면 어떻게 할 것 같아요? — 갑자기 = suddenly; 큰돈 = a large amount of money.

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Quick Reference

Expression	Meaning
복권에 당첨되다	To win the lottery
일을 그만두다	To quit work
세계 여행을 하다	To travel the world
가족한테 나눠 주다	To share with family
기부하다	To donate
투자하다	To invest
사치를 부리다	To indulge in luxury
아무것도 안 하고 쉬다	To rest without doing anything
꿈이 이루어지다	For a dream to come true
갑자기 큰돈이 생기다	To suddenly come into a lot of money

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Pitfall: 당첨되다 vs. 이기다

이기다 = to win a competition or game (e.g., 게임에서 이겼어요 — I won the game). 당첨되다 = to be selected as a winner in a prize draw or lottery (e.g., 복권에 당첨됐어요 — I won the lottery). Don't use 이기다 for lotteries!

Exercise 2 — Korean → English Translation

Translate each sentence naturally.

A. 복권에 당첨된다면 먼저 일을 그만두고 싶어요.

<summary>Answer

If I won the lottery, I'd want to quit work first.

B. 가족한테 나눠 주고, 남은 돈은 투자할 것 같아요.

<summary>Answer

I'd share with my family, and I think I'd invest the remaining money.

C. 세계 여행을 하고 싶어요. 특히 유럽이랑 남미요.

<summary>Answer

I want to travel the world. Especially Europe and South America.

D. 조금 사치를 부리고 싶지만, 대부분은 기부할 거예요.

<summary>Answer

I'd want to indulge in a little luxury, but I'd donate most of it.

E. 갑자기 큰돈이 생기면 어떻게 할 것 같아요?

<summary>Answer

If you suddenly came into a lot of money, what do you think you'd do?

F. 아무것도 안 하고 한 달만 쉬고 싶어요.

<summary>Answer

I just want to rest for one month without doing anything.

G. 꿈이 이루어지면 정말 좋겠어요!

<summary>Answer

It would really be great if my dream came true!

H. 집을 사고, 그 다음에 세계 여행을 할 것 같아요.

<summary>Answer

I think I'd buy a house, and then travel the world.

I. 복권에 당첨되면 제일 먼저 뭐 하고 싶어요?

<summary>Answer

If you won the lottery, what would you want to do first?

J. 일확천금이 생긴다고 해도 검소하게 살고 싶어요.

<summary>Answer

Even if I suddenly came into a huge windfall, I'd want to live modestly.

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Vocabulary Cheat Sheet

Word	Meaning
복권	Lottery ticket
당첨	Winning (prize draw)
일확천금	Sudden huge windfall
남은 돈	Remaining money
검소하게	Frugally, modestly
특히	Especially
대부분	Most / mostly
그만두다	To quit, to stop
이루어지다	To be realized, to come true
나눠 주다	To divide and give / share

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Grammar Tip: ~면 좋겠어요

꿈이 이루어지면 좋겠어요 = "It would be good if my dream came true" = "I hope my dream comes true." ~면 좋겠어요 is the natural way to express a hope or wish about a future situation. It's softer than ~고 싶어요 (I want to) and is great for expressing dreams and wishes.

Exercise 3 — Complete the Sentence

Fill in the blank with the correct word or ending.

A. 복권에 당첨___ 뭐 하고 싶어요? (If you won the lottery, what would you want to do?)

<summary>Answer

된다면 — 당첨된다면 = if I won the lottery.

B. 먼저 일을 그만___고 싶어요. (First I'd want to quit work.)

<summary>Answer

두 — 그만두다 → 그만두고.

C. 세계 여___을 하고 싶어요. (I want to travel the world.)

<summary>Answer

행 — 세계 여행 = world travel.

D. 가족한테 ___ 줄 거예요. (I'll share with my family.)

<summary>Answer

나눠 — 나눠 주다 = to share/give out.

E. 좀 ___도 하고 싶어요. (I'd also want to donate a bit.)

<summary>Answer

기부 — 기부도 하고 싶어요.

F. 남은 돈은 ___할 것 같아요. (I think I'd invest the remaining money.)

<summary>Answer

투자 — 투자할 것 같아요.

G. 조금 사치를 ___ 싶어요. (I'd want to indulge in a little luxury.)

<summary>Answer

부리고 — 사치를 부리다 → 부리고 싶어요.

H. 아무것도 안 하고 그냥 ___고 싶어요. (I'd just want to rest without doing anything.)

<summary>Answer

쉬 — 쉬다 → 쉬고 싶어요.

I. 꿈이 이루어지면 ___ 겠어요. (It would be great if my dream came true.)

<summary>Answer

좋 — ~면 좋겠어요 = I hope ~ / it would be great if ~.

J. 갑자기 큰돈이 ___면 어떻게 할 것 같아요? (If you suddenly came into a lot of money, what do you think you'd do?)

<summary>Answer

생기 — 생기다 → 생기면 = if it appears/comes.

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Sentence Starters

Starter	Use for
복권에 당첨된다면...	Opening the lottery hypothetical
먼저 ~하고, 그 다음에...	Sequencing wishes
가족한테 나눠 주고...	Sharing with family
기부도 하고 싶어요	Adding donation to wish list
투자할 것 같아요	Speculating about investment
사치를 조금 부리고 싶어요	Admitting to luxury dreams
아무것도 안 하고 쉬고 싶어요	The ultimate rest answer
꿈이 이루어지면 좋겠어요	Hoping the dream comes true

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Production Tip

Use 먼저, 그 다음에, 그리고, 마지막으로 (first, next, and, finally) to sequence your lottery wish list: 먼저 일을 그만두고, 그 다음에 집을 사고, 그리고 세계 여행을 하고, 마지막으로 기부할 것 같아요. This makes a 4-part answer sound organized and natural.

Exercise 4 — Dialogue Completion

Complete each exchange about dreaming big.

A. A: 복권에 당첨된다면 뭐 하고 싶어요? B: 먼저 일을 ___ 싶어요!

<summary>Answer

그만두고 — 그만두고 싶어요 = I'd want to quit.

B. A: 가족한테도 줄 거예요? B: 네, 꼭 ___ 줄 거예요.

<summary>Answer

나눠 — 나눠 줄 거예요 = I'll share with them.

C. A: 여행은요? B: 세계 ___을 하고 싶어요! 특히 유럽이요.

<summary>Answer

여행 — 세계 여행을 하고 싶어요.

D. A: 저축은 안 해요? B: 일부는 ___할 것 같아요.

<summary>Answer

투자 — 투자할 것 같아요 = I think I'd invest.

E. A: 사치 좀 부릴 거예요? B: 조금은요. 근데 좀 ___도 하고 싶어요.

<summary>Answer

기부 — 기부도 하고 싶어요 = I'd also want to donate.

F. A: 제일 하고 싶은 게 뭐예요? B: 솔직히 아무것도 안 하고 ___고 싶어요.

<summary>Answer

쉬 — 쉬고 싶어요 = I want to rest.

G. A: 집도 살 거예요? B: 네, 좋은 집을 ___ 싶어요.

<summary>Answer

사고 — 사고 싶어요 = I'd want to buy.

H. A: 꿈 같은 이야기네요. B: 꿈이 ___지면 정말 좋겠어요!

<summary>Answer

이루어 — 이루어지면 좋겠어요 = I hope it comes true.

I. A: 갑자기 큰돈이 생기면 어떻게 할 것 같아요? B: 저는 ___ 먼저 할 것 같아요.

<summary>Answer

투자를 / 기부를 / 저축을 — any reasonable answer showing learned vocabulary.

J. A: 로또 사요? B: 가끔요. 언젠가 ___ 되면 좋겠어요!

<summary>Answer

당첨 — 당첨되면 좋겠어요 = I hope I win.

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Useful Phrases

Phrase	Use
복권에 당첨된다면	The lottery hypothetical opener
먼저 ~하고 싶어요	First wish
그 다음에 ~할 것 같아요	Second item in list
가족한테 나눠 줄 거예요	Sharing with family
세계 여행을 하고 싶어요	World travel dream
기부도 하고 싶어요	Donation intention
아무것도 안 하고 쉬고 싶어요	Rest dream
꿈이 이루어지면 좋겠어요	Hope expression

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Conversation Tip

After saying what you'd do, asking 어떻게 할 것 같아요? (What do you think you'd do?) keeps the conversation going. In Korean small talk, turning a personal answer into a question for the other person is a sign of good social awareness — it's how conversations become exchanges rather than monologues.

Exercise 5 — Free Speaking Practice

Speak for 30–60 seconds on each prompt.

A. 복권에 당첨된다면 제일 먼저 뭐 하고 싶어요? 이유도 설명해 보세요. (If you won the lottery, what would you want to do first? Explain why too.)

<summary>Starter

복권에 당첨된다면, 제일 먼저... 왜냐하면... (If I won the lottery, first I'd... Because...)

B. 가족한테 돈을 나눠 줄 거예요? 얼마나, 어떻게 줄 것 같아요? (Would you share money with family? How much and how do you think you'd give?)

<summary>Starter

네/아니요, 가족한테... 왜냐하면... (Yes/No, for family I'd... Because...)

C. 기부할 거예요? 어디에, 얼마나 기부할 것 같아요? (Would you donate? Where and how much do you think you'd donate?)

<summary>Starter

기부도 하고 싶어요. 특히... (I'd also want to donate. Especially...)

D. 세계 어디를 여행하고 싶어요? 왜요? (Where in the world would you want to travel? Why?)

<summary>Starter

세계 여행을 한다면... 먼저... 왜냐하면... (If I traveled the world... First... Because...)

E. 큰돈이 생겨도 지금 하는 일을 계속 할 것 같아요? (Even if you came into a lot of money, do you think you'd continue what you're doing now?)

<summary>Starter

솔직히 말하면... 왜냐하면 일이/공부가... (Honestly speaking... Because work/studying...)

F. 어떤 집에 살고 싶어요? 어디에 있는 어떤 집이요? (What kind of house would you want to live in? What kind of house and where?)

<summary>Starter

만약에 집을 산다면... 에 있는... 집을 사고 싶어요. (If I bought a house... I'd want a... house in...)

G. 사치를 부리고 싶은 게 있어요? 뭘 사고 싶어요? (Is there something you'd want to splurge on? What would you want to buy?)

<summary>Starter

사치를 조금 부린다면... 을/를 사고 싶어요. (If I splurged a little... I'd want to buy...)

H. 아무것도 안 하고 쉰다면 얼마 동안 쉬고 싶어요? 그 동안 뭐 할 것 같아요? (If you rested without doing anything, how long would you want to rest? What do you think you'd do during that time?)

<summary>Starter

아무것도 안 하고... 동안 쉬고 싶어요. 그 동안은... (I'd want to rest for... without doing anything. During that time...)

I. 돈 말고 이루어지면 좋겠는 꿈이 있어요? (Is there a dream you hope comes true, other than money?)

<summary>Starter

돈 말고 꿈이 이루어지면 좋겠는 건... (Besides money, something I hope comes true as a dream is...)

J. 친구한테 복권에 당첨됐다고 말한다면 어떻게 말할 것 같아요? (If you told a friend you won the lottery, what do you think you'd say?)

<summary>Starter

야! 나 복권에 당첨됐어! 근데 아직 비밀이야. 이제... (Hey! I won the lottery! But it's still a secret. From now...)

📚

Sentence Starters

Opener	For
복권에 당첨된다면...	Opening the lottery wish
먼저 ~하고 싶어요	First wish
그 다음에 ~할 것 같아요	Sequencing
가족한테 나눠 줄 거예요	Family sharing
기부도 하고 싶어요	Donation wish
세계 여행을 한다면...	Travel hypothetical
사치를 조금 부린다면...	Luxury wish
꿈이 이루어지면 좋겠어요	Expressing hope

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Speaking Challenge

Answer 복권에 당첨된다면 뭐 하고 싶어요? in at least 5 sentences, using 먼저, 그 다음에, 그리고, 하지만, and 마지막으로. Can you include at least one surprising or personal answer that doesn't just copy the lesson examples?

복권에 당첨되는 날을 상상하면서 한국어로 꿈꿔 봤어요! 언젠가 이루어질 거예요. ✨