я хочу тебе
ya khochu tebe
The English phrase "I want you" is translated into Ukrainian as я хочу тебе (ya khochu tebe).
This phrase is used to express strong romantic or sexual desire for another person.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, the word for "you" is тебе (the accusative case) because it serves as the direct object of the verb хочу. While ти is the subject form for "you", you must use тебе because "you" is the object being wanted.
How do you pronounce it?
ya khochu tebe
Did you know?
- If you were to use the more formal 'you' version, Ви, the phrase becomes Я хочу Вас, which shifts the tone from an intimate encounter to something that sounds strangely polite or even paradoxical.
- The pronoun я evolved from the Old East Slavic ꙗзъ, which shares a common ancestor with the English 'I' through the Proto-Indo-European root *éǵh₂.
- To express a softer romantic longing, Ukrainians often use the verb сумувати (to miss) or phrases involving the heart, as я хочу тебе is primarily associated with physical desire.
Examples in context
- Я хочу тебе бачити у себе в кабінеті.I want you in my office.This sentence shows how to use я хочу тебе in a professional context regarding an office.Tatoeba #9825236 by deniko, translation #1730720 by CM
- Я хочу тебе без тями.I want you too badly.This sentence uses я хочу тебе to express intense desire.Tatoeba #696281 by menix, translation #468019 by Belcantante
- Я хочу тебе.I want you.This sentence is a direct way to say "I want you" using я хочу тебе.Tatoeba #495281 by ChickenKiev, translation #17707 by CK
- Хочу тебе бачити частішеI want to see you more often
Example conversation
A romantic evening at home.
- Наталія NataliiaЯ хочу тебе.Ya khochu tebe.I want you.
- Сергій SerhiiТи мені теж дуже подобаєшся.Ty meni tezh duzhe podobayeshsya.I like you very much too.
- Наталія NataliiaТи такий привабливий, Сергію.Ty takyi pryvablyvyi, Serhiyu.You are so attractive, Serhii.
- Сергій SerhiiДякую, люба Наталіє.Diakuiu, liuba Nataliie.Thank you, dear Nataliia.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries я, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
