English · Everyday verbs
Chaahna in English: To want (चाहना)
to want
Hindi (Devanagari)
चाहना
Hindi (English letters)
chaahna
चाहना (chaahna) can be expressed as “to want” in English. For example: “I want a cup of tea, without sugar.”
“chaahna” kehna ho, to English mein “to want” use karein. Neeche poore sentences aur Hindi meanings saath diye hain. Context dekhkar apna sentence chunein.
Ordering at a café
I want a cup of tea, without sugar.
मुझे एक कप चाय चाहिए, बिना चीनी।
mujhe ek kap chaay chahiye, bina cheeni.
How to pronounce “to want”
Say it in English
too wahnt
This is a sound guide for English, using a common American pronunciation. CAPITAL letters mark the stronger syllable in a longer word. Say the example sentence at a comfortable pace; Hindi spelling does not map sound for sound to English.
to want: Hindi meaning and useful expressions
| English | Hindi meaning | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| to want | चाहना chaahna The basic verb form; compare the complete expressions below. | The basic verb form; compare the complete expressions below. |
| I want a cup of tea, without sugar. | मुझे एक कप चाय चाहिए, बिना चीनी। mujhe ek kap chaay chahiye, bina cheeni. Ordering at a café | Ordering at a café |
| I want to go traveling on the weekend. | मैं वीकेंड पर घूमने जाना चाहता हूँ। main weekend par ghoomne jaana chaahata hoon. Making a plan | Making a plan |
The dictionary expression is “to want”. In a sentence, choose the verb form for the subject and time; the examples show three complete patterns.
To is part of an infinitive such as to go, but it does not appear before every English verb. After can, could, will or should, use the base form directly.
How to use “to want” in English sentences
1. Ordering at a café
I want a cup of tea, without sugar.
मुझे एक कप चाय चाहिए, बिना चीनी।
mujhe ek kap chaay chahiye, bina cheeni.
2. Making a plan
I want to go traveling on the weekend.
मैं वीकेंड पर घूमने जाना चाहता हूँ।
main weekend par ghoomne jaana chaahata hoon.
3. Declining politely
I don't want anything right now, thank you.
अभी कुछ नहीं चाहिए, धन्यवाद।
abhi kuchh nahi chahiye, dhanyavaad.
Common mistakes with “to want”
Instead of
I want an cup of tea, without sugar.
Say this
I want a cup of tea, without sugar.
Choose a or an from the next sound. An goes before a vowel sound; a goes before a consonant sound. Read the corrected phrase as a unit.
Instead of
Me want a cup of tea, without sugar.
Say this
I want a cup of tea, without sugar.
Use I for the person doing or experiencing the action. Me cannot replace I as the subject of this sentence.
Choosing dishes at a family lunch
Read both roles. Say the English lines out loud before checking the Hindi meaning.
Partner
What do you want to eat?
Show Hindi meaning
आप क्या खाना चाहते हैं?
aap kya khaana chaahate hain?
You
I want dal and rice, not too spicy.
Show Hindi meaning
मुझे दाल चावल चाहिए, ज़्यादा तीखा नहीं।
mujhe daal chaaval chahiye, zyaada teekha nahi.
Partner
What do you want for dessert?
Show Hindi meaning
मीठे में क्या चाहिए?
meethe mein kya chahiye?
You
I want a little halwa, just this much.
Show Hindi meaning
मुझे थोड़ा हलवा चाहिए, बस इतना।
mujhe thoda halwa chahiye, bas itna.
Your turn: use “to want”
Say this in English: मैं वीकेंड पर घूमने जाना चाहता हूँ। (main weekend par ghoomne jaana chaahata hoon.)
Reveal sample answer
I want to go traveling on the weekend.
मैं वीकेंड पर घूमने जाना चाहता हूँ।
main weekend par ghoomne jaana chaahata hoon.
Compare your word order with “I want to go traveling on the weekend.” Then use the same pattern to say something about your own day.
Questions about “to want” in English
Chaahna ko English mein kya kehte hain?
चाहना (chaahna) can be expressed as “to want” in English. For example: “I want a cup of tea, without sugar.”
What does “to want” mean in Hindi?
In the sense taught here, “to want” means चाहना (chaahna). The sentence “I want a cup of tea, without sugar.” shows it in context.
How do I use “to want” in a sentence?
I want to go traveling on the weekend. Hindi meaning: मैं वीकेंड पर घूमने जाना चाहता हूँ। (main weekend par ghoomne jaana chaahata hoon.). The dictionary expression is “to want”. In a sentence, choose the verb form for the subject and time; the examples show three complete patterns.
What should I watch for when using “to want”?
To is part of an infinitive such as to go, but it does not appear before every English verb. After can, could, will or should, use the base form directly.
