ich möchte weinen
/ɪç ˈmœç.tʰə ˈvaɪ̯nən/word by word
The English phrase "I want to cry" is translated into German as ich möchte weinen.
This phrase is used to express a strong desire or a feeling of needing to shed tears.
Which one should you use?
While ich möchte weinen expresses the desire to cry, you can also use Ich will heulen. to mean "I want to bawl" or Ich hätte Lust zu heulen. to mean "I feel like crying."
How do you pronounce it?
/ɪç ˈmœç.tʰə ˈvaɪ̯nən/. The word has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- In some German dialects, the word heulen can also mean to blow strongly, like the wind.
- The word heulen can be used sarcastically in German to tell someone to stop complaining, similar to the English 'cry me a river'.
- In German, the phrase zum Heulen sein is used to describe a situation that is so bad or absurd that it makes you want to cry.
Examples in context
- Ich möchte weinen!I want to cry!This sentence is useful for expressing the direct desire to cry.Tatoeba #2346666 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2345852 by Hybrid
- Es ist so traurig, ich möchte weinen.It is so sad, I want to cry.
Example conversation
Felix and Sarah are talking about a sad movie.
- FelixDer Film war so traurig.The movie was so sad.
- SarahJa, ich möchte weinen.Yes, I want to cry.
- FelixGeht es dir gut, Sarah?Are you okay, Sarah?
- SarahJa, ich bin nur sehr bewegt.Yes, I am just very moved.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (ich, möchte, weinen) and can differ in connected speech.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
