seni istiyorum
/seni istijoɾum/from spelling rules
The phrase i want you in Turkish is seni istiyorum.
This phrase is used to express a strong romantic or sexual desire for another person. While the verb istiyorum can be used for objects, such as saying you want water, using it with a person carries a strong romantic or sexual connotation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of seni (you, accusative case) and istiyorum (I am wanting/I want).
Which one should you use?
For a more formal expression of desire, you can use Sizi Arzuluyorum, which means 'I desire you'. If you want to say 'I want to choose you' in a formal setting, use Sizi Seçmek İstiyorum.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are addressing more than one person or using the formal 'you', seni changes to sizi.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /seni istijoɾum/. The [s] is like [s]end, [n] is like [n]ot, [i] is like cr[ee]k, [j] is like [y]es, [ɾ] is like the American English pronunciation of a[t]om, [u] is like c[oo]l and [m] is like [m]uch.
Did you know?
- If a speaker uses sizi istiyorum (the formal 'you'), it creates a strange linguistic tension between formal respect and sexual desire that can sound ironic or theatrical.
- While seni istiyorum is direct, the more formal arzuluyorum comes from the Arabic root for 'desire' (arzu). This gives it a poetic, literary quality often found in old Turkish songs and novels.
- While 'istiyorum' is the standard verb for 'want', using it toward a person can sound much more aggressive or predatory than the English 'I want you' might in a romantic context.
Examples in context
- Ben seni istiyorum, Tom.I want you, Tom.This example shows how to use seni istiyorum when addressing someone by name.Tatoeba #4531311 by duran, translation #2011313 by CK
- Başka birini istemiyorum. Seni istiyorum.I don't want someone else. I want you.This sentence uses seni istiyorum to contrast wanting a specific person against wanting someone else.Tatoeba #4597644 by duran, translation #2025847 by CK
- Başka kız arkadaş istemiyorum. Seni istiyorum.I don't want another girlfriend. I want you.This example uses seni istiyorum to express preference for one person over another girlfriend.Tatoeba #3977535 by duran, translation #3818125 by CK
- Sizi arzuluyorum, sayın beyefendi/hanımefendi.I desire you, dear sir/madam.
- Seni istiyorum!I want you!
- Her şeye rağmen sana doyamıyorum.Despite everything, I can't get enough of you.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A romantic moment in a dimly lit living room.
- ElifSeni istiyorum.I want you.
- MehmetGerçekten mi, Elif?Really, Elif?
- ElifEvet, seni çok istiyorum.Yes, I want you so much.
- MehmetBen de seni istiyorum.I want you too.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Turkish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
