Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'want'

English Word: want

Key Russian Translations:

• хотеть [xɐˈtʲetʲ] - [Verb, Informal, Used in everyday contexts to express desire]
• желать [ʐɨˈlatʲ] - [Verb, Formal, Often used in more literary or polite contexts]

Frequency: High (This verb is one of the most commonly used in Russian for expressing desires in daily conversation.)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner level for basic conjugation; for 'хотеть' as the primary translation, but 'желать' may reach B1 due to its more formal usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

хотеть: [xɐˈtʲetʲ]

желать: [ʐɨˈlatʲ]

Note on хотеть: The initial 'х' is a guttural sound similar to the Scottish 'loch'; pay attention to the soft 'тʲ' which affects the preceding vowel. Pronunciation can vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: To desire or wish for something (general expression of want)

Translation(s) & Context:

• хотеть - Used in informal, everyday situations, such as personal desires or needs.
• желать - Used in formal or elevated contexts, like wishes in literature or polite requests.

Usage Examples:

• Я хочу пойти в кино сегодня вечером. (I want to go to the movies tonight.)

  English: I want to go to the movies tonight. (This shows 'хотеть' in a simple present tense for immediate desires.)

• Дети хотят мороженое после обеда. (The children want ice cream after lunch.)

  English: The children want ice cream after lunch. (Illustrates 'хотеть' with plural subjects and everyday contexts.)

• Я желаю вам удачи в вашем новом проекте. (I want to wish you luck in your new project.)

  English: I want to wish you luck in your new project. (Here, 'желать' is used for a more formal expression of goodwill.)

• Он хочет купить новый автомобиль, но не может себе это позволить. (He wants to buy a new car but can't afford it.)

  English: He wants to buy a new car but can't afford it. (Demonstrates 'хотеть' in a conditional or aspirational context.)

• Мы желаем мира во всем мире. (We want peace throughout the world.)

  English: We want peace throughout the world. (Shows 'желать' in a broader, idealistic usage.)

Secondary Meaning: To lack or be in need of something (less common, implying deficiency)

Translation(s) & Context:

• хотеть - Rarely used this way, but can imply need in informal speech.

Usage Examples:

• Этот дом хочет ремонта. (This house wants repairing, i.e., needs repair.)

  English: This house needs repairing. (An idiomatic use of 'хотеть' to mean 'require', often in older or regional Russian.)

• Ей хочется больше внимания. (She wants more attention, i.e., she lacks it.)

  English: She wants more attention. (Uses the impersonal form to express emotional need.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'хотеть', a first-conjugation verb, it has irregular aspects but follows standard patterns for imperfective verbs. It is imperfective and often paired with perfective 'захотеть' for completed actions. Below is a conjugation table for present tense:

For 'желать', it is also a verb with regular conjugation:

Both verbs do not change in gender but aspect (imperfective/perfective) must be considered in context.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • желать - Similar to 'want' but more formal; often implies a deeper or more intentional desire.
  • стремиться - Means 'to strive for' or 'aspire to', used for long-term wants.
• Antonyms:
  • не хотеть - Directly means 'not to want'.
  • избегать - Means 'to avoid', implying the opposite of desiring.

Related Phrases:

• Хотеть сказать - To want to say (e.g., in hesitant speech).
• Желать удачи - To wish luck.
• Хочется спать - One wants to sleep (impersonal form).

Usage Notes:

'Хотеть' is the most direct translation of 'want' in Russian and is versatile for everyday use, while 'желать' is better for formal or emotional contexts. Note that Russian verbs require aspect consideration—use 'хотеть' for ongoing desires and 'захотеть' for sudden ones. Be mindful of subject-verb agreement and the informal/formal 'you' distinctions to avoid cultural faux pas in conversations.

• When translating 'want' as a noun (e.g., 'in want of'), use 'нужда' (need) instead.
• In questions, 'Хочешь?' is casual; opt for 'Желаете?' in polite interactions.

Common Errors:

A common mistake is overusing 'хотеть' in formal writing, where 'желать' is more appropriate. For example, English learners might say "Я хочу купить" in a business email, but the correct formal version is "Я желаю купить". Another error is forgetting aspect: saying "Я хочу пойти" for a completed action, when "Я захотел пойти" is needed. Always pair with the right aspect to convey timing accurately.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressing wants directly with 'хотеть' is common in casual settings, reflecting a straightforward communication style. However, 'желать' often appears in traditions like New Year's toasts or birthday wishes, emphasizing communal desires and politeness, which highlights Russia's value on social harmony.

Related Concepts:

• нуждаться (to need)
• стремление (aspiration)
• желание (desire)