Hello Junkies,
What do you want to do in Russian? Eat? Sleep? Watch TV? Here you will learn how to say: I WANT in Russian. Very important phrase and grammar structure – ESPECIALLY for Beginners. More specifically, you will…
- Learn the grammar & how to express your wants
- Learn some want phrases in Russian with English translations
- Be able to say what you want (leave a comment)
- Also: Print this out for your reference
✅ …if you REALLY want to learn Russian with 1,000s of fun/easy audio & video courses by Russian teachers – Sign up at RussianPod101 (click here) and start learning! I recommend them.
The easiest way of expressing – I WANT in Russian – is by simply saying Я хочу (Ya hochu) and then whatever it is that you want. Nouns or verbs, both follow the same format. See the grammar structure below:
– I want to (verb) –Я хочу (verb) – Ya hochu (verb)
– I want a/the (noun) – Я хочу (noun)– Ya hochu (noun)
Russian isn’t a strict language in terms of sentence order. Even though you can start a sentence with “Ya hochu” or “Hochu,” you can also end it with “hochu” or “hochu ya” and it’ll mean the same thing. You can also drop the “Ya (I)” because if you’re talking about what you want, it’s obvious you’re talking about yourself.
Here are 15 Examples of I want in Russian.
1. How to say “I want to learn Russian” in Russian
- I want to learn Russian
- Я хочу выучить русский
- Ya hochu viuchit’ russkiy
If you’re interested in Russian , this is the phrase you find yourself saying A LOT.
2. I want to be fluent in Russian
- I want to be fluent in Russian
- Я хочу свободно говорить по-русски
- Ya hochu svabodna gavarit’ pa-russki
Another common line for Russian learners. As there is no word for “fluent” in Russian, use the phrase свободно говорить where свободно (svabodna) means freely and говорить (gavarit’) means to speak. So this literally means “I want to speak freely in Russian.”
3. “I want you” in Russian
- I want you
- Я тебя хочу
- Ya tebya hochu
Well, of course, if you’re learning Russian for a lover… then you need this too.
4. I want to go home
- I want to go home
- Я хочу домой
- Ya hochu domoi
Had a bad night out? Need to GTFO and sleep your bad experience away?
5. I want to be a web designer
- I want to be a web designer
- Я хочу стать веб-дизайнером
- Ya hochu stat’ veb-dizaynerom
Yes, this is a random line. However, super-useful for when you want to talk about who you want to become. An actor? A cunning linguist? A linguajunkie? Swap out “designer” for something else that suits you.
6. I want coffee
- I want coffee
- Ya hochu kofe
- Я хочу кофе
Who doesn’t? It’s Tuesday morning, it’s raining outside and it’s cold. At this point, only coffee will bring happiness.
7. “I want to eat” in Russian
- I want to eat
- Я кушать хочу
- Ya kushat’ hochu
Remember, I said that Russian isn’t strict with word order. Here, “hochu” is at the end of the sentence and it still means the same thing! Yes! Totally OKAY in Russian!
8. I want to be better than everyone else
- I want to be better than everyone else
- Я хочу быть лучше всех
- Ya hochu bit’ lutshe vseh
Well, who doesn’t want to be the very best? Like noone ever was. Leave a comment below if you don’t! We’ll deal with you.
9. I really want to go to South America
- I really want to go to South America
- Я очень хочу поехать в Латинскую Америку
- Ya ochen hochu poyehat’ v Latinskuyu Ameriku
Okay, so here we introduce a new element – really. In Russian, really means “очень” (ochen’). It can also mean – very. You can stick it in front of “hochu” to say “I really want…”
10. I want to see a movie
- I want to see a movie.
- Я хочу посмотреть фильм
- Ya hochu posmotret’ fil’m
11. I want to be with you
- I want to be with you
- Я хочу быть с тобой
- Ya hochu bit’ s toboy
This, of course, is a good line if you’re into a Russian girl. Memorize this!
12. I want to lose weight
- I want to lose weight
- Я хочу похудеть
- Ya hochu pohudet’
The example sentences I find on the Russian Google. Well, if you can relate, this is for you!
13. I want to go to Russia
- I want to go to Russia
- Я хочу в россию
- Ya hochu v Rossiyu
If you notice, there’s no verb here, unlike our South American example. And that’s quite OK. Literally, this just means “I want to Russia” but the preposition “в” is enough.
14. I want to marry you
- I want to marry you
- Я хочу на тебе жениться
- Ya hochu na tebe zhenit’sa
Perhaps a good phrase for you lovers out there. If I’m responsible for your marriage, please leave a comment to know. Good “I want in Russian” phrase to know.
15. I want a baby but he doesn’t
- I want a baby but he doesn’t
- Я хочу ребенка а он нет
- Ya hochu rebyonka a on net
That’s right. The Main Junkie doesn’t want kids right now, so stop asking him.
How in the world did I get THIS phrase? I found it on the Russian Google while looking for EXAMPLES for YOU! That’s how. I don’t know. Women search it. Still a good phrase to reinforce your Russian!
So, what do you think?
By now you should be able to say I want in Russian and express your desires. Now that you know the grammar rules, write down what you want in Russian in the comments!
What other I want in Russian phrases do you want to see?
I read them all and will add it to my list.
Hope you enjoyed this!
– The Main Junkie
P.S. I highly recommend this for Russian learners. If you REALLY want to learn to Russian with effective lessons by real teachers – Sign up for free at RussianPod101 (click here) and start learning!
Good article. Here is a bit of my native language proofreading to improve it even more. 3. “Я хочу тебя” would sounds a bit more naturally (although both versions are quite awkward, maybe unless they are said in the heat of sexual passion). 7. “Я кушать хочу” is too childish. For adults, its always better to say “Я хочу кушать” or “Я хочу есть” {Ya hochu yest’}. Of course, you can shuffle words in Russian sentences as you like, but saying in less common way often adds extra emphasis on something. Also, the word “кушать” itself is considered as more… Read more »