我想要你
wo xiang yao ni
The phrase "I want you" in Chinese is translated as 我想要你 (wo xiang yao ni).
In a romantic or sexual context, using 我想要你 is very direct and carries a strong, assertive tone to express a desire for another person.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, you can express this as 我要你.
How do you pronounce it?
wo xiang yao ni
Did you know?
- The word 想 in 我想要你 originally meant 'to think' or 'to ponder', suggesting that desire in Chinese is linguistically linked to the act of thinking about someone.
- If you use the word 想要 (xiǎng yào) toward an inanimate object, like a cup, it sounds perfectly natural, but toward a person, it can sound highly sexualized.
- In Chinese, the verb 想 (xiǎng) can mean both 'to want' and 'to miss'. Therefore, saying 我想你 (wǒ xiǎng nǐ) actually means 'I miss you' rather than 'I want you'.
Examples in context
- 我想要你睡在它上边。I want you to sleep on it.This example shows how to use 我想要你 when expressing a desire for someone to sleep on something.Tatoeba #5091438 by mirrorvan, translation #2033205 by CK
- 我想要你把真相告诉我。I want you to tell me the truth.This example shows how to use 我想要你 when demanding the truth from someone.Tatoeba #1776812 by sadhen, translation #2429 by CK
- 汤姆，我想要你来操作这一个。Tom, I want you to handle this one.This example shows how to use 我想要你 when asking someone to handle a task.Tatoeba #5091722 by mirrorvan, translation #2016968 by CK
- 我想要你帮助我学习中文。I want you to help me learn Chinese.
- 我渴望拥有你的心。I want to have your heart.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A quiet evening at home between a romantic couple.
- 俊杰 Junjie晓雯，我想要你。Xiǎowén, wǒ xiǎng yào nǐ.Xiaowen, I want you.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen真的吗？Zhēn de ma?Really?
- 俊杰 Junjie我是认真的。Wǒ shì rèn zhēn de.I am serious.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我也一样。Wǒ yě yī yàng.I feel the same way.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
