می‌خواهم
mikham
In Persian, "I would like" is expressed as می‌خواهم (mikham).
The phrase is used as a polite way to express a wish or a request for something.
Which one should you use?
While می‌خواهم is the standard form, the colloquial version میخوام is used in spoken conversation. For formal contexts, you may use مایلم to express a wish or تقاضا دارم to state that you have a request for a specific course of action.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In informal, spoken settings, use میخوام (mikham). The form می‌خواهم is the standard version. For formal situations, use مایلم or تقاضا دارم.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Tehran dialect, the form میخوام is often used in place of می‌خواهم or مایلم during informal conversations.
How do you pronounce it?
mikham
Did you know?
- In many Persian social interactions, instead of saying 'I would like', people often use a completely different verb structure to express a wish to avoid appearing selfish.
- The formal مایلم is conceptually linked to the idea of 'inclination' or a gentle leaning toward a thought.
- Persian culture places such a high value on 'Taarof' and politeness that the choice between می‌خواهم and مایلم can change the perceived social hierarchy of the conversation.
Examples in context
- من می‌خواهم نقدی بپردازم.I would like to pay in cash.This sentence demonstrates how to use می‌خواهم when expressing a desire to pay with cash.Tatoeba #11129942 by sinakd, translation #9071531 by Ergulis
- مایلم چایی بنوشم.I would like to have tea.
- تقاضا دارم به تلویزیون دست نزنید.I would like you not to touch the television.
- می‌خواهم این شیرینی رو بخرم.I would like to buy this pastry.
- دوست دارم با شما به سینما بروم.I would like to go to the cinema with you.
- من می‌خواهم با شما صحبت کنم.man mikhāham bā shomā sohbat konam.I would like to speak with you.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Niloofar and Reza are at a restaurant looking at the menu.
- نیلوفر Niloufarمن می‌خواهم سالاد سفارش دهم.Man mikhāham sālād sefāresh daham.I would like to order a salad.
- رضا Rezaخیلی خوب است، من هم همین را می‌خورم.Kheyli khub ast, man ham hamin rā mikhoram.That's very good, I will have the same.
- نیلوفر Niloufarآیا می‌خواهی نوشیدنی هم بگیری؟Āyā mikhāhi noshidani ham begiri?Would you like to get a drink too?
- رضا Rezaبله، یک آب معدنی لطفاً.Bale, yek āb-e ma'dani lotfan.Yes, a mineral water please.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
