voglio
The English phrase "i want" is translated into Italian as voglio.
Voglio is a common and straightforward way to say "I want" in informal conversations. For more formal or official contexts, you might use Desidero, which translates to "I desire" or "I want".
Which one should you use?
Voglio expresses a direct, strong desire or demand. In contrast, the form vorrei expresses a polite wish or request.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Voglio is used in informal conversations. For polite situations, such as ordering food or making requests in a shop, the conditional form vorrei (I would like) is much more common. In professional or official contexts, use the formal expression Desidero.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form voglio is the first-person singular present indicative of the verb volere.
Did you know?
- The verb volere is used to form the phrase voglio dire, which means 'I mean'. It literally translates to 'I want to say' but functions as a clarification marker in conversation.
- The word volere can function as a noun meaning 'the will'. This allows Italians to use the phrase per volere di, meaning 'by the will of' or 'at the request of' someone powerful.
- The phrase voglio is often omitted entirely in fast-paced spoken Italian. Instead of saying voglio un caffè, a speaker might simply say un caffè with a specific rising intonation.
Examples in context
- Io voglio il fan.I want the fan.Tatoeba #1271702 by Guybrush88, translation #273343 by CK
- Io ne voglio uno!I want one!Tatoeba #1758561 by Guybrush88, translation #1749476 by Spamster
- È ciò che voglio.That's what I want.Tatoeba #2620133 by Guybrush88, translation #1897826 by CK
- Vorrei mangiare una pizza.I would like to eat a pizza.
- Vorrei prenotare una stanza d'albergo.I would like to book a hotel room.
- Desidero acquistare un biglietto per il concerto.I want to buy a ticket for the concert.
- Desidero chiedere informazioni sulle tariffe.I want to ask for information about the rates.
- Desidero parlare con il direttore.I want to speak with the manager.
- Voglio un gelato al cioccolato.I want a chocolate ice cream.
- Voglio uscire stasera.I want to go out tonight.
- Voglio comprare una maglietta nuova.I want to buy a new t-shirt.
- 5490 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Martina are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- LorenzoCosa vuoi cenare stasera?What do you want for dinner tonight?
- MartinaVoglio una pizza Margherita.I want a Margherita pizza.
- LorenzoOttima idea, ordiniamo subito.Great idea, let's order right away.
- MartinaPerfetto, grazie Lorenzo!Perfect, thank you Lorenzo!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
