🌟

Talking About Hopes and Dreams

Keywords
꿈 / 희망
Lesson #
S
Done
Section
Basic Speaking
πŸ¦„
TL;DR πŸ¦„
  • 🌟 제 κΏˆμ€...μ΄μ—μš” [je kku-meun ... i-e-yo] β€” "My dream is..."
  • 🎯 ...이 되고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš” [i doe-go si-peo-yo] β€” "I want to become..."
  • πŸ™ ...ν•˜λ©΄ μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš” [ha-myeon jo-ke-sseo-yo] β€” "I hope/wish..."
  • πŸ’­ μ–Έμ  κ°€ ...ν•˜κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš” [eon-jen-ga ... ha-go si-peo-yo] β€” "Someday I want to..."
  • ✨ κΌ­ 이루고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš” [kkok i-ru-go si-peo-yo] β€” "I really want to make it come true"
πŸ”Š
🎧 Iru Helper Note: Hear every phrase in this lesson spoken aloud and practice your pronunciation with the Iru Helper Widgets.
Β 

🌈 The Big Picture

Talking about hopes and dreams in Korean centers on a few key words: 꿈 [kkum] ("dream"), 희망 [hi-mang] ("hope"), and λͺ©ν‘œ [mok-pyo] ("goal"). The most common way to introduce your dream is simply:
  • 제 κΏˆμ€ ...μ΄μ—μš”/μ˜ˆμš” β€” "My dream is..."
To say you want to become something, Korean uses N + 이/κ°€ 되고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš” [i/ga doe-go si-peo-yo] β€” literally "I want to become N." Notice this uses 이/κ°€, not 을/λ₯Ό, because λ˜λ‹€ ("to become") is an intransitive verb β€” you're not "doing" the becoming to an object, you're transforming into something.
  • μ €λŠ” μ„ μƒλ‹˜μ΄ 되고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš” β€” "I want to become a teacher"
  • μž‘κ°€κ°€ 되고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš” β€” "I want to become a writer"

🎭 Dream vs. Hope vs. Goal

These three words overlap but carry slightly different feelings:
  • 꿈 ("dream") β€” a big-picture, often emotional aspiration. "제 κΏˆμ€ 세계 μ—¬ν–‰μ΄μ—μš”" ("My dream is to travel the world").
  • 희망 ("hope") β€” a wish for something to happen, often used with 가지닀 ("to hold"). "희망을 가지고 μžˆμ–΄μš”" ("I'm holding onto hope").
  • λͺ©ν‘œ ("goal") β€” a concrete, often measurable target. "μ˜¬ν•΄ λͺ©ν‘œλŠ” ν•œκ΅­μ–΄ μ‹œν—˜μ— ν•©κ²©ν•˜λŠ” κ±°μ˜ˆμš”" ("This year's goal is to pass the Korean exam").
A useful pattern for wishes in general is -μ•˜/μ—ˆμœΌλ©΄ μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš” [-a/eo-sseu-myeon jo-ke-sseo-yo] β€” "I hope/wish that...". It literally means "if [X happened], it would be good" β€” a gentle, hopeful way to express what you want without sounding demanding.

🧳 Essential Phrase Kit

  • 제 κΏˆμ€ ...μ΄μ—μš” [je kku-meun ... i-e-yo] β€” "My dream is..."
  • ...이/κ°€ 되고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš” [i/ga doe-go si-peo-yo] β€” "I want to become..."
  • ...ν•˜λ©΄ μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš” [ha-myeon jo-ke-sseo-yo] β€” "I hope (that)..."
  • μ–Έμ  κ°€ ...ν•˜κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš” [eon-jen-ga ... ha-go si-peo-yo] β€” "Someday I want to..."
  • κΌ­ 이루고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš” [kkok i-ru-go si-peo-yo] β€” "I really want to make it come true"
  • 어릴 λ•ŒλΆ€ν„° κΏˆμ΄μ—ˆμ–΄μš” [eo-ril ddae-bu-teo kku-mi-eo-sseo-yo] β€” "It's been my dream since I was little"
  • λͺ©ν‘œκ°€ λ­μ˜ˆμš”? [mok-pyo-ga mwo-ye-yo?] β€” "What's your goal?"
  • 희망을 가지고 μžˆμ–΄μš” [hi-mang-eul ga-ji-go i-sseo-yo] β€” "I'm holding onto hope"
  • ...ν•˜λŠ” 게 제 λͺ©ν‘œμ˜ˆμš” [ha-neun ge je mok-pyo-ye-yo] β€” "...is my goal"
  • ν¬κΈ°ν•˜μ§€ μ•Šμ„ κ±°μ˜ˆμš” [po-gi-ha-ji a-neul kkeo-ye-yo] β€” "I won't give up"

πŸ› οΈ Putting Together

A: 어릴 λ•ŒλΆ€ν„° 꿈이 λ­μ˜€μ–΄μš”?
B: 사싀 μž‘κ°€κ°€ 되고 μ‹Άμ—ˆμ–΄μš”. μ§€κΈˆλ„ κ·Έ κΏˆμ€ κ·ΈλŒ€λ‘œμ˜ˆμš”.
A: "What was your dream since you were little?" B: "Actually, I wanted to become a writer. That dream is still the same now."
πŸ¦„ Grammar note: κ·ΈλŒ€λ‘œμ˜ˆμš” ("it's the same as before") shows the dream hasn't changed over time.
A: μ˜¬ν•΄ λͺ©ν‘œκ°€ λ­μ˜ˆμš”?
B: ν•œκ΅­μ–΄ μ‹œν—˜μ— ν•©κ²©ν•˜λŠ” 게 제 λͺ©ν‘œμ˜ˆμš”. κΌ­ ν•©κ²©ν–ˆμœΌλ©΄ μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”.
A: "What's your goal this year?" B: "Passing the Korean exam is my goal. I really hope I pass."
πŸ¦„ Grammar note: -μ•˜/μ—ˆμœΌλ©΄ μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš” attached to a past-tense stem (ν•©κ²©ν–ˆμœΌλ©΄) expresses a hopeful wish about an outcome.
A: μ–Έμ  κ°€ 카페λ₯Ό 차리고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”. μž‘μ€ 동넀 μΉ΄νŽ˜μš”.
B: λ©‹μ§€λ„€μš”! κΌ­ μ΄λ£¨μ…¨μœΌλ©΄ μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”. μ‘μ›ν• κ²Œμš”!
A: "Someday I want to open a cafΓ©. A small neighborhood cafΓ©." B: "That's wonderful! I really hope it comes true for you. I'll support you!"
πŸ¦„ Grammar note: μ‘μ›ν• κ²Œμš” ("I'll cheer you on / support you") is a warm way to react to someone's dream.

πŸ—£οΈ Speaking Practice: Mini Dialogue

민수: 지은 씨, 5λ…„ 후에 뭐 ν•˜κ³  μžˆμ„ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”? 꿈이 μžˆμ–΄μš”?
[ji-eun ssi, o-nyeon hu-e mwo ha-go i-sseul geot ga-ta-yo? kku-mi i-sseo-yo?]
"Jieun, what do you think you'll be doing in 5 years? Do you have a dream?"
지은: 음, 사싀 어릴 λ•ŒλΆ€ν„° 제 κΏˆμ€ 그림을 κ·Έλ¦¬λŠ” μ‚¬λžŒμ΄ λ˜λŠ” κ±°μ˜€μ–΄μš”. μΌλŸ¬μŠ€νŠΈλ ˆμ΄ν„°κ°€ 되고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”.
[eum, sa-sil eo-ril ddae-bu-teo je kku-meun geu-ri-meul geu-ri-neun sa-ra-mi doe-neun geo-yeo-sseo-yo. il-leo-seu-teu-rei-teo-ga doe-go si-peo-yo]
"Hmm, actually since I was little, my dream has been to become someone who draws. I want to become an illustrator."
민수: 와, λ©‹μ Έμš”! μ§€κΈˆλ„ κ·Έλ¦Ό κ·Έλ €μš”?
[wa, meot-jeo-yo! ji-geum-do geu-rim geu-ryeo-yo?]
"Wow, that's amazing! Do you still draw now?"
지은: λ„€, μ£Όλ§λ§ˆλ‹€ κ·Έλ €μš”. μ–Έμ  κ°€ 제 μž‘ν’ˆμœΌλ‘œ μ „μ‹œνšŒλ₯Ό μ—΄κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš”. κΌ­ 이루고 싢은 κΏˆμ΄μ—μš”.
[ne, ju-mal-ma-da geu-ryeo-yo. eon-jen-ga je jak-pu-meu-ro jeon-si-hwe-reul yeol-go si-peo-yo. kkok i-ru-go si-peun kku-mi-e-yo]
"Yes, I draw every weekend. Someday I want to hold an exhibition of my own work. It's a dream I really want to make come true."
민수: 정말 잘 됐으면 μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”. μ „μ‹œνšŒ μ—΄λ©΄ κΌ­ μ΄ˆλŒ€ν•΄ μ£Όμ„Έμš”!
[jeong-mal jal dwae-sseu-myeon jo-ke-sseo-yo. jeon-si-hwe yeol-myeon kkok cho-dae-hae ju-se-yo!]
"I really hope it goes well. If you hold an exhibition, please be sure to invite me!"
지은: κ·ΈλŸ΄κ²Œμš”! ν¬κΈ°ν•˜μ§€ μ•Šκ³  계속 그릴 κ±°μ˜ˆμš”.
[geu-reol-ge-yo! po-gi-ha-ji an-ko gye-sok geu-ril kkeo-ye-yo]
"I will! I won't give up β€” I'll keep drawing."

🧭 Speaking Tip

-μ•˜/μ—ˆμœΌλ©΄ μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš” is one of the most useful "hope" patterns in Korean, and it works for almost anything β€” your own dreams, someone else's success, or even the weather: 내일 날씨가 μ’‹μ•˜μœΌλ©΄ μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš” ("I hope the weather is nice tomorrow"). It always uses the past-tense form of the verb/adjective before 으면, even though you're talking about the future or present β€” this is just how the pattern works grammatically, so don't overthink the "past tense" part!

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

  • ❌ Using 을/λ₯Ό with λ˜λ‹€ β€” saying μ„ μƒλ‹˜μ„ 되고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”. βœ… λ˜λ‹€ takes 이/κ°€: μ„ μƒλ‹˜μ΄ 되고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”.
  • ❌ Mixing up 꿈 (dream β€” emotional, big-picture), λͺ©ν‘œ (goal β€” concrete target), and 희망 (hope β€” a wish for an outcome). Pick the word that matches the scale of what you're describing.
  • ❌ Forgetting the past-tense stem before -으면 μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš” β€” it's ν•©κ²©ν–ˆμœΌλ©΄ μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”, not ν•©κ²©ν•˜λ©΄ μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš” (though the latter is also heard casually, the -μ•˜/μ—ˆ- version is more standard for wishes).
  • ❌ Sounding overly formal/stiff when sharing a personal dream β€” phrases like μ–Έμ  κ°€... ("someday...") and 사싀... ("actually...") make it feel more natural and conversational.
Now go share your dreams with confidence β€” ν™”μ΄νŒ…! 🌟✨
Β 
Try this exercise
Instructions: For each prompt, write your response in Korean using the patterns from this lesson. Then check the toggle below for a sample answer.
1. Say "My dream is to travel the world" (세계 μ—¬ν–‰).
Answer
제 κΏˆμ€ 세계 μ—¬ν–‰μ΄μ—μš”. (My dream is to travel the world.)
2. Say "I want to become a teacher" (μ„ μƒλ‹˜).
Answer
μ„ μƒλ‹˜μ΄ 되고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”. (I want to become a teacher.)
3. Say "I hope it goes well" (잘 λ˜λ‹€).
Answer
잘 됐으면 μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”. (I hope it goes well.)
4. Say "Someday I want to open a cafΓ©" (카페λ₯Ό 차리닀).
Answer
μ–Έμ  κ°€ 카페λ₯Ό 차리고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”. (Someday I want to open a cafΓ©.)
5. Say "I really want to make it come true."
Answer
κΌ­ 이루고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”. (I really want to make it come true.)
6. Say "It's been my dream since I was little."
Answer
어릴 λ•ŒλΆ€ν„° κΏˆμ΄μ—ˆμ–΄μš”. (It's been my dream since I was little.)
7. Ask "What's your goal?"
Answer
λͺ©ν‘œκ°€ λ­μ˜ˆμš”? (What's your goal?)
8. Say "I'm holding onto hope."
Answer
희망을 가지고 μžˆμ–΄μš”. (I'm holding onto hope.)
9. Say "I won't give up."
Answer
ν¬κΈ°ν•˜μ§€ μ•Šμ„ κ±°μ˜ˆμš”. (I won't give up.)
10. Say "Passing the exam is my goal" (μ‹œν—˜μ— ν•©κ²©ν•˜λ‹€).
Answer
μ‹œν—˜μ— ν•©κ²©ν•˜λŠ” 게 제 λͺ©ν‘œμ˜ˆμš”. (Passing the exam is my goal.)
πŸ“š
Vocabulary Box
  • 꿈 β€” dream
  • 희망 β€” hope
  • λͺ©ν‘œ β€” goal
  • λ˜λ‹€ β€” to become
  • 이루닀 β€” to achieve, make come true
  • ν¬κΈ°ν•˜λ‹€ β€” to give up
  • ν•©κ²©ν•˜λ‹€ β€” to pass (an exam)
  • 차리닀 β€” to set up, open (a shop)
  • μ‘μ›ν•˜λ‹€ β€” to cheer on, support
  • μ „μ‹œνšŒ β€” exhibition
Pitfalls πŸ’‘
  • λ˜λ‹€ takes 이/κ°€, not 을/λ₯Ό.
  • 꿈 = big dream, λͺ©ν‘œ = concrete goal, 희망 = hope.
  • -μ•˜/μ—ˆμœΌλ©΄ μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš” uses the past-tense stem.
πŸš€
Want more reps? Head to the Practice Hub below for three full exercise sets!
Β 
πŸ“¦
🎯 Practice Hub β€” Talking About Hopes and Dreams
Work through these three exercises to lock in 꿈/λͺ©ν‘œ/희망 and -μ•˜/μ—ˆμœΌλ©΄ μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”. Try answering out loud before checking each answer β€” and use the Iru Helper Widgets above if you want to hear the pronunciation again.

Exercise 1 β€” Sharing Your Dream 🌟

A. Say "My dream is to become a writer" (μž‘κ°€).
Answer
제 κΏˆμ€ μž‘κ°€κ°€ λ˜λŠ” κ±°μ˜ˆμš”. [je kku-meun jak-ga-ga doe-neun geo-ye-yo]
B. Say "I want to become a doctor" (μ˜μ‚¬).
Answer
μ˜μ‚¬κ°€ 되고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”. [ui-sa-ga doe-go si-peo-yo]
C. Say "Someday I want to travel the world."
Answer
μ–Έμ  κ°€ 세계 여행을 ν•˜κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš”. [eon-jen-ga se-gye yeo-haeng-eul ha-go si-peo-yo]
D. Say "It's been my dream since I was a child."
Answer
어릴 λ•ŒλΆ€ν„° κΏˆμ΄μ—ˆμ–΄μš”. [eo-ril ddae-bu-teo kku-mi-eo-sseo-yo]
E. Say "I really want to achieve this dream."
Answer
이 κΏˆμ„ κΌ­ 이루고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”. [i kku-meul kkok i-ru-go si-peo-yo]
F. Say "I want to become a singer" (κ°€μˆ˜).
Answer
κ°€μˆ˜κ°€ 되고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”. [ga-su-ga doe-go si-peo-yo]
G. Say "My dream hasn't changed."
Answer
제 κΏˆμ€ λ³€ν•˜μ§€ μ•Šμ•˜μ–΄μš”. [je kku-meun byeon-ha-ji a-na-sseo-yo]
H. Say "What is your dream?"
Answer
꿈이 λ­μ˜ˆμš”? [kku-mi mwo-ye-yo?]
I. Say "I want to become a pilot" (쑰쒅사).
Answer
쑰쒅사가 되고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”. [jo-jong-sa-ga doe-go si-peo-yo]
J. Say "I'm working toward my dream."
Answer
κΏˆμ„ ν–₯ν•΄ λ…Έλ ₯ν•˜κ³  μžˆμ–΄μš”. [kku-meul hyang-hae no-ryeo-ka-go i-sseo-yo]
πŸ“š
Quick Reference
  • 제 κΏˆμ€ ...μ΄μ—μš”/κ±°μ˜ˆμš” β€” My dream is...
  • N이/κ°€ 되고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš” β€” I want to become N
  • μž‘κ°€ β€” writer
  • μ˜μ‚¬ β€” doctor
  • κ°€μˆ˜ β€” singer
  • 쑰쒅사 β€” pilot
  • λ³€ν•˜λ‹€ β€” to change
  • ν–₯ν•΄ β€” toward
  • λ…Έλ ₯ν•˜λ‹€ β€” to make an effort

Exercise 2 β€” Expressing Hopes & Wishes πŸ™

A. Say "I hope the weather is nice tomorrow."
Answer
내일 날씨가 μ’‹μ•˜μœΌλ©΄ μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”. [nae-il nal-ssi-ga jo-a-sseu-myeon jo-ke-sseo-yo]
B. Say "I hope I pass the exam."
Answer
μ‹œν—˜μ— ν•©κ²©ν–ˆμœΌλ©΄ μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”. [si-heo-me hap-gyeo-kae-sseu-myeon jo-ke-sseo-yo]
C. Say "I hope everything goes well for you."
Answer
λ‹€ 잘 됐으면 μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”. [da jal dwae-sseu-myeon jo-ke-sseo-yo]
D. Say "I'm holding onto hope."
Answer
희망을 가지고 μžˆμ–΄μš”. [hi-mang-eul ga-ji-go i-sseo-yo]
E. Say "I won't give up, no matter what."
Answer
무슨 일이 μžˆμ–΄λ„ ν¬κΈ°ν•˜μ§€ μ•Šμ„ κ±°μ˜ˆμš”. [mu-seun i-ri i-sseo-do po-gi-ha-ji a-neul kkeo-ye-yo]
F. Say "I hope we can meet again."
Answer
λ‹€μ‹œ λ§Œλ‚  수 μžˆμ—ˆμœΌλ©΄ μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”. [da-si man-nal su i-sseo-sseu-myeon jo-ke-sseo-yo]
G. Say "I really hope it comes true for you."
Answer
κΌ­ μ΄λ£¨μ…¨μœΌλ©΄ μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”. [kkok i-ru-syeo-sseu-myeon jo-ke-sseo-yo]
H. Say "I'll cheer you on / support you."
Answer
μ‘μ›ν• κ²Œμš”. [eung-won-hal-ge-yo]
I. Say "I hope things get better."
Answer
상황이 λ‚˜μ•„μ‘ŒμœΌλ©΄ μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”. [sang-hwang-i na-a-jeo-sseu-myeon jo-ke-sseo-yo]
J. Say "I hope I can become a better person."
Answer
더 쒋은 μ‚¬λžŒμ΄ 됐으면 μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”. [deo jo-eun sa-ra-mi dwae-sseu-myeon jo-ke-sseo-yo]
πŸ“š
Quick Reference
  • -μ•˜/μ—ˆμœΌλ©΄ μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš” β€” I hope/wish that...
  • 무슨 일이 μžˆμ–΄λ„ β€” no matter what
  • λ‹€μ‹œ λ§Œλ‚˜λ‹€ β€” to meet again
  • μ‘μ›ν•˜λ‹€ β€” to cheer on
  • 상황이 λ‚˜μ•„μ§€λ‹€ β€” for the situation to improve
  • 더 쒋은 μ‚¬λžŒ β€” a better person

Exercise 3 β€” Full Dream Conversations πŸ’¬

A. "5λ…„ 후에 뭐 ν•˜κ³  μžˆμ„ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”?" β€” What does this mean?
Answer
"What do you think you'll be doing in 5 years?"
B. Respond: "My dream has been to become an illustrator since I was little."
Answer
어릴 λ•ŒλΆ€ν„° 제 κΏˆμ€ μΌλŸ¬μŠ€νŠΈλ ˆμ΄ν„°κ°€ λ˜λŠ” κ±°μ˜€μ–΄μš”.
C. Say "I draw every weekend."
Answer
μ£Όλ§λ§ˆλ‹€ 그림을 κ·Έλ €μš”.
D. Say "Someday I want to hold an exhibition of my own work."
Answer
μ–Έμ  κ°€ 제 μž‘ν’ˆμœΌλ‘œ μ „μ‹œνšŒλ₯Ό μ—΄κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš”.
E. Say "It's a dream I really want to make come true."
Answer
κΌ­ 이루고 싢은 κΏˆμ΄μ—μš”.
F. Say "I really hope it goes well."
Answer
정말 잘 됐으면 μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”.
G. Say "If you hold an exhibition, please invite me."
Answer
μ „μ‹œνšŒ μ—΄λ©΄ κΌ­ μ΄ˆλŒ€ν•΄ μ£Όμ„Έμš”.
H. Say "I won't give up β€” I'll keep drawing."
Answer
ν¬κΈ°ν•˜μ§€ μ•Šκ³  계속 그릴 κ±°μ˜ˆμš”.
I. Ask a friend "What's your goal this year?"
Answer
μ˜¬ν•΄ λͺ©ν‘œκ°€ λ­μ˜ˆμš”?
J. Say "That dream is still the same now."
Answer
μ§€κΈˆλ„ κ·Έ κΏˆμ€ κ·ΈλŒ€λ‘œμ˜ˆμš”.
πŸ“š
Cheat Sheet
  • 5λ…„ 후에 β€” in 5 years
  • μΌλŸ¬μŠ€νŠΈλ ˆμ΄ν„° β€” illustrator
  • μ „μ‹œνšŒλ₯Ό μ—΄λ‹€ β€” to hold an exhibition
  • κΌ­ 이루고 싢은 꿈 β€” a dream I want to fulfill
  • 정말 잘 됐으면 μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš” β€” I really hope it goes well
  • μ΄ˆλŒ€ν•˜λ‹€ β€” to invite
  • 계속 β€” continuously
  • μ˜¬ν•΄ λͺ©ν‘œ β€” this year's goal
  • κ·ΈλŒ€λ‘œμ˜ˆμš” β€” it's the same as before
πŸŽ‰ μž˜ν–ˆμ–΄μš”! You can now talk about your hopes, dreams, and goals in Korean!