Which one should you use?
While voglio mangiare is a direct statement of desire, vorrei mangiare ("I would like to eat") is a more polite and common way to express the same sentiment in restaurants or social settings. Other polite alternatives include desidero mangiare ("I desire to eat") and mi piacerebbe mangiare ("I would like to eat" or "I'd love to eat"). For a more informal tone, you can say ho voglia di mangiare ("I feel like eating").
How does it change in a sentence?
The word voglio is the first-person singular present indicative form of the verb volere (to want). The word mangiare is the infinitive form of the verb "to eat". In Italian, the infinitive is used directly after voglio without needing a preposition. Additionally, the subject pronoun io (I) is often omitted because the verb ending in voglio already indicates that the subject is "I".
When do people say it?
To be considered polite when expressing your desire for food, you can add per favore (please) to your expression.
Did you know?
- The verb mangiare is used in the expression mangiare a sbafo, which means to eat for free or at someone else's expense.
- In some Italian dialects, the act of eating is closely linked to the concept of 'consuming', leading to phrases where mangiare is used to describe spending money quickly.
- The word mangiare is actually a linguistic relative of the English word 'masticate', as both trace back to the Latin root for chewing.
Examples in context
- Io voglio mangiare qui.I want to eat here.This sentence shows how to specify a location with voglio mangiare.Tatoeba #2565878 by Guybrush88, translation #2548853 by CK
- Io voglio mangiare ora.I want to eat now.This sentence shows how to specify a time with voglio mangiare.Tatoeba #6567480 by Guybrush88, translation #6358007 by CK
- Voglio mangiare del ramen.I want to eat ramen.This sentence shows how to specify a food item with voglio mangiare.Tatoeba #12045293 by Guybrush88, translation #3777897 by CK
- Vorrei mangiare una pizza margherita, per favore.I would like to eat a margherita pizza, please.
- Desidero mangiare qualcosa di leggero per pranzo.I desire to eat something light for lunch.
- Oh, voglio mangiare ancora quella pasta!Oh, I want to eat that pasta again!
- 97 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is walking in the city center after a long day.
- AlessandroHo molta fame, voglio mangiare qualcosa.I am very hungry, I want to eat something.
- MartinaAnche io, Alessandro. Cosa preferisci?Me too, Alessandro. What do you prefer?
- AlessandroVoglio mangiare una pizza margherita.I want to eat a margherita pizza.
- MartinaOttima idea, andiamo subito in quella pizzeria.Great idea, let's go to that pizzeria right now.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mangiare, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
