я хочу воды
ya khochu vody
In Russian, the phrase to say "I want water" is я хочу воды (ya khochu vody).
The phrase я хочу воды is used to express a direct desire to drink or obtain water.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
я хочу воды is an informal and direct statement of desire. While it is suitable for casual conversations, it can sound blunt or even demanding in social settings like a restaurant. In more polite or formal situations, it is better to use the phrase Я хотел бы воды, which means "I would like some water".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the genitive case воды rather than the accusative case воду because the verb хотеть (to want) typically governs the genitive for uncountable nouns to express a general desire or a part of a whole. In this phrase, воды is the genitive form of water.
How do you pronounce it?
ya khochu vody
When do people say it?
When making a request in a polite setting, you can add the word пожалуйста (please) to soften your statement.
Did you know?
- The word вода (water) is used in the slang expression лить воду, which means 'to pour water' or to talk at length without saying anything meaningful.
- In a Russian restaurant, asking for 'water' without specifying can lead to a surprise, as you might be served 'gazirovannaya' (sparkling) or 'bez gaza' (still) water.
- While я хочу воды is grammatically correct, using the verb хотеть (to want) can sound childish to native speakers, similar to a toddler demanding a drink.
Examples in context
- Я хочу воды.I want water.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase я хочу воды.Tatoeba #1606759 by ABChessel, translation #5085314 by CarpeLanam
- Я хочу воды. / Вот, возьми.I want water. / Here, take it.
- Мне нужна вода, пожалуйста. / Конечно, вот ваша вода.I need water, please. / Of course, here's your water.
- Я хочу воды, пожалуйста.Ya khochu vody, pozhaluysta.I want water, please.
Example conversation
Sergey and Anastasia are hiking in the mountains.
- Сергей SergeyАнастасия, я хочу воды.Anastasiya, ya khochu vody.Anastasia, I want some water.
- Анастасия AnastasiaУ меня есть бутылка в рюкзаке.U menya yest' butylka v ryukzake.I have a bottle in my backpack.
- Сергей SergeyТы можешь дать мне её?Ty mozhesh' dat' mne yeyo?Can you give it to me?
- Анастасия AnastasiaДа, держи, Сергей.Da, derzhi, Sergey.Yes, here you go, Sergey.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
