Tôi muốn cái này
[toj˧˧ muən˧˦ kaːj˧˦ naj˨˩]word by word
The English phrase "i want this" is expressed in Vietnamese as Tôi muốn cái này.
The phrase Tôi muốn cái này is used to express a direct desire for a specific physical object. Additionally, the expression Cho tôi cái này được không? can be translated as "Could you give me this?" or "May I have this?"
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down into Tôi (I), muốn (want), cái (classifier for objects) and này (this).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Using Tôi is grammatically correct but can sound stiff or impersonal. In many social situations, a speaker would replace Tôi with a kinship pronoun like Em to sound more natural and polite. There are also informal variations: Mình muốn cái này. is an informal way to say "I want this," where mình is an informal way of referring to oneself. Furthermore, tao is an informal pronoun used in the phrase Cho tao cái này.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Vietnamese, "this" is expressed by placing the demonstrative này after a classifier like cái when referring to an object.
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Examples in context
- Thật sự tôi muốn cái này.I really want this.
Example conversation
Hùng and Mai are shopping for a gift.
- Hùng HungMai xem này, tôi muốn cái này.Mai look, I want this one.
- MaiCái này đẹp quá, Hùng.This is very beautiful, Hùng.
- Hùng HungĐúng vậy, tôi muốn cái này làm quà.That's right, I want this as a gift.
- MaiVậy chúng ta mua nó nhé.Then let's buy it.
