Wanting to Do Something
When you want to do something yourself, both verbs carry the same person ending.
How It Works
| Person | Dari | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| من | می‌خواهم بروم | I want to go |
| تو | می‌خواهی بروی | you want to go |
| او | می‌خواهد برود | he or she wants to go |
| ما | می‌خواهیم برویم | we want to go |
| شما | می‌خواهید بروید | you want to go |
| آن‌ها | می‌خواهند بروند | they want to go |
خواستن also means to want a thing: چای می‌خواهم (I want tea). When you want to do something, the second verb is in the subjunctive, never an infinitive.
Use it to ask what someone wants to do: شما می‌خواهید چای بخورید یا شیرچای؟ (Do you want to drink tea or milk tea?)
To say what you wanted in the past, see Wanting and Being Able in the Past. To say you want another person to do something, see Wanting Someone Else to Do Something.
Examples (5)
- می‌خواهم یک کتاب نو بخرم.
I want to buy a new book.
می‌خواهم and بخرم both end in ـم.
- مریم می‌خواهد داکتر شود.
Maryam wants to become a doctor.
شود is the subjunctive of شدن, with no ب.
- ما می‌خواهیم جمعه به پغمان برویم.
We want to go to Paghman on Friday.
می‌خواهیم برویم: both verbs agree with ما.
- امروز نمی‌خواهم کار کنم.
I don't want to work today.
The negative نمی‌خواهم is followed by the subjunctive کنم.
- شما چه می‌خواهید بخورید؟
What do you want to eat?
می‌خواهید بخورید: both verbs agree with شما.
Common Mistakes
Using an infinitive after می‌خواهم.
می‌خواهم رفتن به بامیان.می‌خواهم به بامیان بروم.The second verb is the subjunctive, with the person ending.
Using the present tense after می‌خواهم.
می‌خواهم می‌روم.می‌خواهم بروم.Use the subjunctive بروم and not the present می‌روم.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The verb after می‌خواهم takes the subjunctive.
Related Patterns
- Being Able to Do Something
می‌توانم uses the subjunctive in the same way.
Level 3 - می‌خواستم و توانستمWanting and Being Able in the Past
This entry gives the past of the same pattern.
Level 3 - می‌خواهم که تو بیاییWanting Someone Else to Do Something
که lets you say what you want another person to do.
Level 4 - خوش دارم و دوست دارمSaying What You Like
These are other ways to say what you like.
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice Wanting to Do Something in Bubblegum
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