-기 바라다: I wish/I hope

안녕하세요! 🎉

Ever had that burning desire to express your hopes and wishes in Korean? Maybe you’re hoping your favourite K-drama couple finally gets together, or wishing that the kimchi at the local store is on sale. Whatever it is, today’s your lucky day! 🍀 We’re diving deep into “-기 바라다”, the magical grammar point that lets you convey all those hopes and dreams. So, buckle up and put on those hope-filled goggles – because we’re about to make your Korean sound dreamier than ever! 🌟

Conjugation

VERB STEM + 기 바라다

1. Take a verb i.e. 가다
2. Drop “다” i.e. 가
3. Add -기 바라다 i.e. 가기 바라다

• 먹다 –> 먹 + 기 바라다 –> 먹기 바라다
• 사다 –> 사 + 기 바라다 –> 사기 바라다
• 주다 –> 주 + 기 바라다 –> 주기 바라다
• 보다 –> 보 + 기 바라다–> 보기 바라다

Understanding the meaning of -기 바라다

Welcome to the land of Korean wishes! Before we get into the nitty-gritty of “-기 바라다,” let’s lay down some foundational knowledge. This way, we’ll build our learning skyscraper on solid ground.

• Origin of 바라다
  • The verb “바라다” in Korean primarily means “to hope” or “to wish.” It carries the sentiment of desiring a particular outcome or state. Over time, it has intertwined itself with various grammar patterns to help express nuanced wishes and hopes.
• The Magic of -기 Form
  • The -기 form is essentially a way to nominalize verbs in Korean, turning them into noun-like entities. Think of it as adding “-ing” to verbs in English. For instance, “eat” becomes “eating,” and “run” becomes “running.” In Korean, 하다 (do) becomes 하기, 먹다 (eat) becomes 먹기, and so on.
• Combining Powers
  • When you pair the -기 form with 바라다, you’re essentially saying, “I hope for the [verb]-ing.” So, “먹기 바라다” would translate to “I hope for eating,” which in natural English would be “I hope to eat.”
• The Mood & Tone
  • Using “-기 바라다” gives your sentence a gentle, sincere tone. It’s not an aggressive demand but a polite expression of hope or desire. This makes it perfect for situations where you’re expressing personal wishes or conveying wishes on someone else’s behalf in a respectful manner.
• Not Limited to First Person
  • While “바라다” translates to “hope” or “wish,” in Korean, you’re not restricted to using it only for yourself. You can also express hopes or wishes for others. For instance, you can say “I hope you do well” or “She hopes it rains tomorrow.”
• 바라다 conjugated
  • When we conjugate 바라다 it becomes 바라요 BUT Koreans actually pronounce it as 바래요 and are most likely to write it like that as well. However, the correct spelling is still 바라요.

With this foundational knowledge, you’re primed to delve deeper into the world of “-기 바라다.” The structure might seem a tad challenging initially, but remember, every seasoned K-Drama fan once started at the basics too! So, keep your hopes high, and let’s march forward!

Usage scenarios

Let’s explore the various scenarios where this potion works wonders:

• Expressing Personal Hopes:
  • When you have a personal wish or expectation about something, “-기 바라다” is your go-to. It’s like whispering to a shooting star!
    • Example: 저는 내년에 대학에 합격하기 바라요. (I hope to get into college next year.)
• Expressing Hopes for Others:
  • When you’re the sweet soul that wishes well for others, sprinkle a bit of “-기 바라다” in your sentences.
    • Example: 그가 행복하기 바래요. (I hope he is happy.)
• In Formal Letters or Requests:
  • If you’re drafting a formal letter or a request, especially in professional settings, using “-기 바라다” makes your sentences sound polished and respectful.
    • Example: 고객의 만족을 기대하기 바랍니다. (We hope for customer satisfaction.)
• Discussing Future Outcomes:
  • When discussing possible future outcomes or situations that you wish to happen, “-기 바라다” sets the tone just right.
    • Example: 투자가 이익을 가져다주기 바라요. (I hope the investment brings profits.)
• When Offering Condolences or Support:
  • Expressing hope during tough times can be comforting. When you want to show sympathy and hope things get better, this structure comes to the rescue.
    • Example: 그녀가 빨리 회복하기 바라요. (I hope she recovers soon.)

So, whether you’re jotting down a formal letter or just having a chit-chat with friends about your hopes and dreams, “-기 바라다” is a versatile tool in your Korean linguistic arsenal. Think of it as your wishing well in sentence form! ⭐🌈

What is the difference between -기 바라다 and -(으)면 좋겠다

Both “-기 바라다” and “-(으)면 좋겠다” revolve around the theme of hope or desire, but they’re used in slightly different ways.

• -기 바라다
  • Meaning: This translates to “hope to” or “wish to”. It’s often used to convey a hope or a wish that something will happen.
  • Usage: It is typically used when the speaker is expressing a hope or wish, either for oneself or for someone else.
  • Example: 저는 그가 행복하기 바라요. (I hope he is happy.)
• -(으)면 좋겠다
  • Meaning: This translates more directly to “It would be good if…” or “I wish…”. It’s a way of expressing a personal desire or preference about a specific situation.
  • Usage: It’s more subjective and often focuses on the speaker’s personal feelings or desires. It carries a more wistful, longing feeling than “-기 바라다”.
  • Example: 내일 비가 안 왔으면 좋겠다. (It would be nice if it rained tomorrow.)

Key Differences:

• Tone & Nuance: While both structures express a wish or desire, “-(으)면 좋겠다” feels a tad more personal and longing. It’s as if you’re daydreaming out loud. On the other hand, “-기 바라다” is more like sending your wishes to the universe, be it for you or someone else.
• Subjectivity: “-(으)면 좋겠다” is more about the speaker’s personal wish or preference. “-기 바라다” can be about the speaker’s wish or someone else’s well-being or situation.
• Scope: “-기 바라다” is broader in scope and can also be used in formal settings like letters, whereas “-(으)면 좋겠다” is more casual and personal.

Think of “-기 바라다” as the serene wish you send on a floating lantern, and “-(으)면 좋겠다” as the eager wish upon seeing a shooting star zipping by. Both are wishes, but with different vibes and contexts! 🌠🏮

Sample sentences

Alright, brave souls! Now that you’ve got the basics, let’s embark on a journey through sample sentences to see “-기 바라다” in action. Buckle up, and keep your dictionaries close! (Or just rely on me; I’ve got your back!)

• 성공하기 바라다
  • Sentence: 우리는 그의 사업이 성공하기 바랍니다.
  • Translation: We hope that his business succeeds.
  • Breakdown: 성공하기 (to succeed) + 바랍니다 (formal expression of hope).
• 비가 오기 바라다
  • Sentence: 여름 내내 비가 오기 바래요.
  • Translation: I hope it rains all summer long.
  • Breakdown: 비가 오기 (it raining) + 바래요 (polite expression of hope).
• 서로 이해하기 바라다
  • Sentence: 서로 이해하기 바라요.
  • Translation: I hope they understand each other.
  • Breakdown: 서로 이해하기 (understanding each other) + 바라요 (hope).
• 공부를 계속하기 바라다
  • Sentence: 그녀는 공부를 계속하기 바라요.
  • Translation: I hope she continues studying.
  • Breakdown: 공부를 계속하기 (continuing the study) + 바라요 (casual expression of hope).
• 빨리 나아지기 바라다
  • Sentence: 아픈 친구가 빨리 나아지기 바랍니다.
  • Translation: I hope my sick friend gets better soon.
  • Breakdown: 빨리 나아지기 (getting better quickly) + 바랍니다 (formal expression of hope).

Activity 1

Choose between “-기 바라다” and “-(으)면 좋겠다” to complete the sentences.

1. 다 잘 되기 바라요. – I hope everything goes well.
2. 시험에 합격하기 바라요. – I hope you pass the exam.
3. 같이 여행 가기 바라요. – I hope we go travelling together.
4. 주말에 일 안 하기 바랄요. – I wish I won’t work on the weekend.
5. 우리 부모님 항산 건강하기 바라요. – I wish my parents are always healthy.

Activity 1 Answers

1. 다 잘 ___________. – I hope everything goes well.
2. 시험에 ___________. – I hope you pass the exam.
3. 같이 여행 ___________. – I hope we go travelling together.
4. 주말에 일 ___________. – I wish I won’t work on the weekend.
5. 우리 부모님 항산 ___________. – I wish my parents are always healthy.

Wrap up

Alright, superstar Korean learners! 🌟

You’ve tackled the nuances of “-기 바라다” like a K-pop idol hitting those high notes. 🎵 Impressive! Remember, every time you feel a tad overwhelmed by Korean grammar, just think about all the K-dramas you’ll understand without subtitles. Or maybe, just the joy of saying, “I hope you liked this lesson!” in perfect Korean. Which, by the way, is “이 수업이 마음에 들기 바라요!”

Until next time, keep your grammar book close, and your favourite Korean snacks closer. 🍜😉 Cheers to more linguistic adventures! 🥂🇰🇷📘