я хочу
ya khochu
The English phrase "I want to" is translated into Russian as я хочу (ya khochu).
The phrase is used to express a desire or a wish to do something.
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing a desire to perform an action, я хочу is typically followed by an infinitive verb. In many contexts, the pronoun я (I) can be omitted, leaving only the conjugated verb хочу to mean "I want".
How do you pronounce it?
ya khochu
Did you know?
- If you want to say 'I want to' in a way that sounds more like 'I feel like doing', Russians might use the construction мне хочется, which literally translates to 'to me it is pleasing'.
- The pronoun я is a doublet of the Latin 'ego', meaning they share a common ancestor from the same ancient Indo-European root.
- Using я хочу followed by a noun instead of a verb can sometimes sound uncomfortably blunt or demanding, similar to a child's way of speaking in English.
Examples in context
- Я хочу в душ.I want to have a shower.This sentence is useful for expressing the desire to have a shower using я хочу.Tatoeba #12885933 by LanguagesLover, translation #12119219 by sundown
- Я хочу с вами.I want to go with you.This sentence is useful for expressing the desire to go with someone using я хочу.Tatoeba #5360068 by marafon, translation #28972 by CK
- Я хочу в горы.I want to go to the mountain.This sentence is useful for expressing the desire to go to the mountains using я хочу.Tatoeba #8810970 by marafon, translation #3951599 by Lisandro586
- Я хотел бы посетить Москву.I would like to visit Moscow.
- Я хочу поиграть в футбол.I want to play football.
- Я хочу научиться играть на гитаре.I want to learn to play the guitar.
- Я хочу путешествовать.I want to travel.
- 3980 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In a cafe, deciding what to eat.
- Александр AleksandrЯ хочу заказать пиццу.Ya khochu zakazat' pitsu.I want to order pizza.
- Мария MariaА ты хочешь сок?A ty khochesh' sok?And do you want juice?
- Александр AleksandrНет, я хочу чай.Net, ya khochu chay.No, I want tea.
- Мария MariaХорошо, я тоже хочу чай.Khorosho, ya tozhe khochu chay.Okay, I want tea too.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries я, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
