я хочу тебя
ya khochu tebya
The English phrase "I want you" is translated into Russian as я хочу тебя (ya khochu tebya).
Depending on the context, this phrase can have two distinct meanings. It is used to express a strong sexual desire for another person. However, if the phrase is followed by an infinitive, the meaning changes to "I want you to [do something]", such as я хочу тебя видеть (I want to see you).
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase я хочу тебя, the word тебя is the accusative case of ты (you). This specific case is required because тебя serves as the direct object of the verb хочу.
How do you pronounce it?
ya khochu tebya
Did you know?
- If you use the formal вы instead of ты, the phrase я хочу вас becomes an awkward and potentially offensive clash of formal distance and sexual intimacy.
- Because я хочу тебя is so direct, Russians often use the phrase ты мне нравишься ('you please me') to express attraction without the immediate sexual intensity.
- The Russian word я ('I') is a linguistic sibling to the Latin 'ego' and the English 'I', both descending from the same ancient Proto-Indo-European root.
Examples in context
- Том, иди сюда, я хочу тебя.Tom, come here, I want you.This sentence shows how to use я хочу тебя to express direct desire.Tatoeba #5261269 by odexed, translation #2033293 by CK
- Я хочу тебя со всеми познакомить.I want you to meet everyone.This sentence demonstrates the shift in meaning when the phrase is followed by an infinitive.Tatoeba #6595297 by marafon, translation #2013014 by CK
- Пошли. Я хочу тебя кое с кем познакомить.Come on. There's someone I want you to meet.This sentence also shows the meaning of wanting someone to perform an action.Tatoeba #4628584 by Wezel, translation #2030003 by CK
- Я тоже тебя хочу.I want you too
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is alone at home in the evening.
- Анастасия AnastasiaТы так красив сегодня.Ty tak krasiv segodnya.You are so handsome today.
- Андрей AndreyСпасибо, Настя. А ты?Spasibo, Nastya. A ty?Thanks, Nastya. And you?
- Анастасия AnastasiaЯ хочу тебя.Ya khochu tebya.I want you.
- Андрей AndreyЯ тоже тебя хочу.Ya tozhe tebya khochu.I want you too.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries тебя, я, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
