我想
ngo5 soeng2
In Cantonese, "I want to" is expressed as 我想 (ngo5 soeng2).
The phrase 我想 is used to express a desire or a wish to do something. While the character 想 can mean "to think" in other contexts, when it is followed by a verb, it functions as "want to" or "would like to".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 我 (I) and 想 (want/think/would like to).
Which one should you use?
Compared to 我想 (ngo5 soeng2), the phrase 我要 (ngo5 jiu3) expresses a stronger, more direct demand or a necessity to have something.
How do you pronounce it?
ngo5 soeng2
Did you know?
- The character 想 also means 'to miss' someone or something, so a sentence like 我想你 means 'I miss you' rather than 'I want to you'.
- The character 想 contains the radical for 'heart' at the bottom, reflecting the idea that wanting or thinking is an emotional process.
- In Cantonese, the word 想 is often doubled to 想想 when someone is undecided or wants to 'think it over' before making a choice.
Examples in context
- 我想食啲嘢。I want to eat something.This sentence is useful for expressing the desire to eat something with 我想.Tatoeba #472632 by nickyeow, translation #256362 by CK
- 我想瞓多陣。I want to sleep a little more.This sentence is useful for expressing the desire to sleep a little more with 我想.Tatoeba #486552 by nickyeow, translation #31234 by CK
- 我想瞓晏覺。I want to take a nap.This sentence is useful for expressing the desire to take a nap with 我想.Tatoeba #5798504 by nickyeow, translation #3374722 by CK
- 我想去食飯。I want to go eat.
- 我想去影相。I want to take pictures.
- 我要埋單。I want to pay the bill.
- 32 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding what to do at the mall.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung我想去睇戲。ngo5 soeng2 heoi3 tai2 hei6I want to go see a movie.
- 家明 Ka Ming我都想，有冇好戲？ngo5 dou1 soeng2, jau5 mou5 hou2 hei6?I want to too, is there anything good?
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung有部新嘅動作片。jau5 bou6 san1 ge3 dung6 zok3 pin2There is a new action movie.
- 家明 Ka Ming好，我哋而家去買飛。hou2, ngo5 dei6 ji4 gaa2 heoi3 maai5 fai1Great, let's go buy tickets now.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
