mau + Verb

Want or Near-future with Mau

Level 1

Mau commonly expresses wanting or intending to do something. Context distinguishes a desire, a plan, and an action about to begin; the word alone does not guarantee a firm arrangement.

How It Works

The pattern mau + verb is a fundamental building block of spoken Indonesian.

1. Expressing Desire ('Want')
In its most basic sense, mau expresses a wish. It is more direct and common in speech than the formal ingin.
Example: Saya mau makan (I want to eat).

2. Expressing Immediate Intention ('Going to')
In Indonesian, the line between 'wanting' to do something and 'being about to' do it is thin. Mau is frequently used for near-future actions.
Example: Saya mau mandi (I'm going to take a shower [now]).

3. Negation
To say you don't want to do something, use tidak (formal) or nggak (casual) before mau.
Example: Dia tidak mau pergi (He doesn't want to go).

4. Register and Usage
While mau is standard Indonesian, it is considered neutral-to-casual. In very formal writing or speeches, you will often see akan for the future or ingin for desire.

Examples (5)

  1. Saya mau minum kopi.

    I want to drink coffee.

    Word by Word: I want drink coffee.

    Here, 'mau' expresses a simple desire.

  2. Mau ke mana?

    Where are you going?

    Word by Word: Want to where?

    This is a common greeting. It asks about your immediate destination/intention.

  3. Aku mau tidur dulu, ya.

    I'm going to sleep now, okay?

    Word by Word: I want sleep first, yes.

    In this context, 'mau' indicates an action the speaker is about to perform immediately.

  4. Dia nggak mau bantu saya.

    He doesn't want to help me.

    Word by Word: He no want help me.

    Using 'nggak' (casual 'tidak') before 'mau' shows a lack of willingness.

  5. Kami mau beli mobil baru.

    We want to buy a new car.

    Word by Word: We (exclusive) want buy car new.

    Shows a plan or desire involving the group.

Common Mistakes

  • Misplacing mau in the basic statement of intention.

    Saya mandi mau sekarang.
    Saya mau mandi sekarang.

    For the basic intention pattern, put mau before the action. Saya akan mandi sekarang is also grammatical; akan is not forbidden in ordinary conversation.

  • Thinking mau can only mean want.

    Different MeaningSaya mau ke Jakarta besok.
    Saya akan ke Jakarta besok.

    Mau can express a wish or an intended action, so Saya mau ke Jakarta besok can mean I want to go or I am going to go. Akan states a plan more neutrally and a little more formally.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

mau + VerbLevel 1Want or Near-future with Mau

Learn This First

To use 'mau' effectively, you need to understand the basic Subject-Verb-Object structure of Indonesian and be familiar with common pronouns. Since Indonesian verbs do not change for tense, 'mau' is simply added before the base verb to express what someone wants to do or is about to do.

Words in This Pattern