Желим
Želim
The English phrase "I want" is translated into Serbian as Желим (Želim).
Желим is used to express a desire or a wish for something.
What does it mean word for word?
Желим is the first-person singular present tense of the verb желети, which means to want or to desire.
Which one should you use?
Желим is used when expressing a desire or a wish, whereas Хоћу is more commonly used in everyday speech to express a direct intention or a demand, such as saying "I want this" or "I will do it".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Желим sounds more formal or polite than the colloquial Хоћу when expressing a wish.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to express a desire to perform an action, Желим is typically followed by the conjunction да and then the present tense of the verb. For example, Желим да means "I want to".
How do you pronounce it?
Želim
Did you know?
- In some Serbian dialects, the phrase Хоћу can be used as a strong 'Yes' in response to a question. Instead of saying 'Yes', a person says 'I want' to show enthusiastic agreement.
- If you use Желим in a restaurant to order food, you might actually sound more like a character in a historical novel than a hungry customer.
- The verb желети is often used in the phrase Желим ти срећу, which means 'I wish you luck'. In this context, it functions as 'to wish' rather than 'to want'.
Examples in context
- Желим да те видим.I want to see you.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to see someone using Желим.Tatoeba #7291774 by dzoja, translation #257078 by CK
- Желим да видим то.I want to see that.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to see something using Желим.Tatoeba #8870690 by Lebad, translation #5902962 by CK
- Желим да идем сам.I want to go by myself.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to go alone using Желим.Tatoeba #8876454 by Lebad, translation #8841278 by CK
- Želim novu knjigu.I want a new book.
- Želim kafu s mlekom.I want coffee with milk.
- Želim da putujem.I want to travel.
- Hteo bih čašu vode.I would like a glass of water.
- Hteo bih da posetim Beograd.I would like to visit Belgrade.
- Hoću čokoladu.I want chocolate.
- Hoću da gledam film.I want to watch a movie.
- Hoću da se odmorim.I want to rest.
- 117 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Luka and Marija are deciding what to drink at a cafe.
- LukaШта изабираш са менија?What are you choosing from the menu?
- MarijaЖелим једну кафу, молим вас.I want one coffee, please.
- LukaХоћеш ли и нешто слатко?Do you want something sweet too?
- MarijaНе, само кафу желим сада.No, I only want coffee now.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
