When talking about what you want in Persian, you use the verb «خواستن» (khāstan), meaning 'to want.' The present tense form for 'I want' is «میخواهم» (mi-khāham).
This is a very common and essential verb. You'll use it all the time to express desires, intentions, and needs.
For example, if you want to say 'I want an apple,' you would say «من یک سیب میخواهم» (man yek sib mi-khāham).
You can also combine it with other verbs to say 'I want to do something,' like «میخواهم بروم» (mi-khāham be-ravam), meaning 'I want to go.'
When you're speaking Persian, you'll often need to express what you want or desire. The verb for 'to want' is خواستن (khāstan). However, you won't use خواستن directly in its infinitive form when saying 'I want.' Instead, you'll use its conjugated form: میخواهم (mikhāham).
This is the present progressive form, which in Persian is commonly used to express present desires or intentions. So, whenever you want to say 'I want,' you simply use میخواهم. You can then follow it with a noun or another verb to complete your thought.
For example, to say 'I want water,' you would say میخواهم آب (mikhāham āb). To say 'I want to go,' you would say میخواهم بروم (mikhāham beravam). Notice how the second verb also changes form to the subjunctive. This is a crucial structure to master early on.
Understanding and using میخواهم correctly is a fundamental step in building more complex sentences and expressing your needs and desires in Persian. Pay attention to how it combines with other verbs and nouns, and practice using it in various contexts.
§ Common Mistake 1: Not using the infinitive with 'میخواهم'
One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when using 'میخواهم' (I want) is not following it with the infinitive form of the verb. In English, you say "I want to eat." In Persian, it's very similar, but the 'to' is built into the infinitive structure.
- DEFINITION
- The infinitive form of a verb in Persian ends with '-دن' (-dan) or '-تن' (-tan). For example, خوردن (khordan) means 'to eat', رفتن (raftan) means 'to go'.
A common mistake is to try and conjugate the second verb directly after 'میخواهم'.
من میخواهم میخورم. (Incorrect: I want I eat.)
Instead, you should use the infinitive:
من میخواهم بخورم. (Correct: I want to eat. *Note: after 'میخواهم' we use the subjunctive form, which often looks like the simple present but without the 'میـ' prefix if the infinitive starts with 'بـ'.)
§ Common Mistake 2: Using 'میخواهم' for 'I would like'
While 'میخواهم' directly translates to 'I want', it can sometimes sound a bit too direct in Persian, similar to how "I want a coffee" might sound less polite than "I would like a coffee" in English. For a more polite tone, especially when ordering or making requests, Persian often uses different constructions.
من قهوه میخواهم. (I want coffee. - Can sound a bit blunt.)
A more polite way to say "I would like coffee" is often:
قهوه میل دارم. (I have a desire for coffee. / I'd like coffee.)
Or, if you are asking for something:
لطفاً قهوه بیاورید. (Please bring coffee.)
§ Common Mistake 3: Confusing 'میخواهم' with necessity or obligation
'میخواهم' expresses a desire or a wish. It does not convey necessity or obligation, like 'I must' or 'I have to'. English speakers sometimes mistakenly use 'I want to go' when they mean 'I have to go'.
من میخواهم بروم. (Incorrect if you mean 'I have to go', as it implies desire.)
If you mean 'I have to go' or 'I must go', you should use phrases that express obligation.
For necessity:
من باید بروم. (I must go / I have to go.)
For obligation or being forced:
مجبورم بروم. (I am forced to go.)
Examples by Level
من میخواهم به ایران سفر کنم و از شهرهای تاریخی آن دیدن کنم.
I want to travel to Iran and visit its historical cities.
Here, 'میخواهم' is followed by an infinitive verb 'سفر کنم' (to travel) and 'دیدن کنم' (to visit). This is a common structure for expressing desire or intention.
او میخواهد در آینده یک پزشک شود و به مردم کمک کند.
He/She wants to become a doctor in the future and help people.
Similar to the previous example, 'میخواهد' precedes the infinitive verbs 'شود' (to become) and 'کمک کند' (to help).
ما میخواهیم برای شام پیتزا سفارش دهیم.
We want to order pizza for dinner.
In this sentence, 'میخواهیم' is followed by the verb phrase 'سفارش دهیم' (to order).
شما میخواهید چه کتابی را بخوانید؟
What book do you want to read?
Here, 'میخواهید' is used in an interrogative sentence, asking about the listener's desire.
آنها میخواهند فارسی یاد بگیرند تا با دوستان ایرانیشان صحبت کنند.
They want to learn Persian to talk with their Iranian friends.
'میخواهند' is followed by 'یاد بگیرند' (to learn) and 'صحبت کنند' (to talk/speak), indicating a purpose.
من میخواهم بیشتر مطالعه کنم تا در امتحان موفق شوم.
I want to study more to succeed in the exam.
This example shows 'میخواهم' followed by 'مطالعه کنم' (to study) and 'موفق شوم' (to succeed), where the second verb expresses the outcome of the first action.
او میخواهد یک ماشین جدید بخرد چون ماشین قدیمیاش خراب شده است.
He/She wants to buy a new car because their old car is broken.
'میخواهد' is used with 'بخرد' (to buy), indicating a desire for a new possession.
ما میخواهیم فردا به کوه برویم، اگر هوا خوب باشد.
We want to go to the mountain tomorrow, if the weather is good.
Here, 'میخواهیم' is followed by 'برویم' (to go), expressing a plan or desire that is conditional on the weather.
Test Yourself 36 questions
Which English phrase best translates "میخواهم"?
"میخواهم" specifically means 'I want' in Persian.
If you want to say "I want water" in Persian, which word would you use for "I want"?
To express 'I want' in Persian, the correct verb form is "میخواهم".
Which of these sentences correctly uses "میخواهم"?
In Persian, the pronoun 'من' (man - I) often accompanies 'میخواهم' (mee-kha-ham - I want) to form a complete sentence like 'من آب میخواهم' (man aab mee-kha-ham - I want water).
The word "میخواهم" means "I have" in Persian.
"میخواهم" means "I want," not "I have."
You can use "میخواهم" to express a desire for something.
"میخواهم" is the correct verb to express 'I want' or 'I desire' in Persian.
The word "میخواهم" is typically used with the pronoun 'او' (oo - he/she) to mean 'he/she wants'.
"میخواهم" is conjugated for 'من' (man - I). For 'he/she wants', you would use 'میخواهد' (mee-kha-had).
Which of these means 'I want a car'?
The word 'میخواهم' means 'I want'. Adding 'یک ماشین' (a car) completes the sentence.
Choose the correct translation for 'I want to eat food.'
'میخواهم' (I want) is followed by the infinitive form of the verb 'to eat' which is 'بخورم' (eat).
If you want a cup of tea, what would you say?
'من یک فنجان چای میخواهم' directly translates to 'I want a cup of tea'.
The sentence 'من میخواهم آب بخورم' means 'I want to drink water'.
'میخواهم' means 'I want', 'آب' is 'water', and 'بخورم' (from 'خوردن') means 'to drink/eat' (in this context, 'drink').
The sentence 'میخواهم بروم' means 'I went'.
'میخواهم بروم' means 'I want to go'. 'I went' would be 'من رفتم'.
You can use 'میخواهم' to express a desire for an object.
'میخواهم' is used for both wanting objects (e.g., 'من یک کتاب میخواهم' - I want a book) and wanting to do an action (e.g., 'من میخواهم بخوانم' - I want to read).
You are at a cafe. Write two sentences saying what you want to order. Use 'میخواهم' (I want).
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
من یک قهوه میخواهم. یک کیک شکلاتی هم میخواهم. (I want a coffee. I also want a chocolate cake.)
Imagine you are talking to a friend about your plans for the weekend. Write two sentences saying what you want to do. Use 'میخواهم' (I want).
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
من میخواهم به پارک بروم. میخواهم کتاب بخوانم. (I want to go to the park. I want to read a book.)
Your friend asks what you want for your birthday. Write two sentences responding to them. Use 'میخواهم' (I want).
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
من یک کتاب جدید میخواهم. یک لباس هم میخواهم. (I want a new book. I also want a dress.)
سارا چه میخواهد بخرد؟ (What does Sara want to buy?)
Read this passage:
سارا و علی در بازار هستند. سارا میخواهد میوه بخرد. علی میخواهد یک پیراهن آبی بخرد.
سارا چه میخواهد بخرد؟ (What does Sara want to buy?)
The passage states 'سارا میخواهد میوه بخرد.' (Sara wants to buy fruit.)
The passage states 'سارا میخواهد میوه بخرد.' (Sara wants to buy fruit.)
مریم کجا سفر میکند؟ (Where is Maryam traveling?)
Read this passage:
مریم فردا به شیراز سفر میکند. او میخواهد تخت جمشید را ببیند. او یک راهنمای سفر هم میخواهد.
مریم کجا سفر میکند؟ (Where is Maryam traveling?)
The passage says 'مریم فردا به شیراز سفر میکند.' (Maryam is traveling to Shiraz tomorrow.)
The passage says 'مریم فردا به شیراز سفر میکند.' (Maryam is traveling to Shiraz tomorrow.)
برادر احمد چه میخواهد انجام دهد؟ (What does Ahmad's brother want to do?)
Read this passage:
احمد و برادرش در خانه هستند. احمد میخواهد فیلم تماشا کند. برادرش میخواهد بازی کند.
برادر احمد چه میخواهد انجام دهد؟ (What does Ahmad's brother want to do?)
The passage states 'برادرش میخواهد بازی کند.' (His brother wants to play a game.)
The passage states 'برادرش میخواهد بازی کند.' (His brother wants to play a game.)
Choose the most natural translation for: 'I want to learn Persian.'
In Persian, the 'I want' phrase (میخواهم) typically comes before the infinitive verb 'to learn' (یاد بگیرم). 'من' (man) means 'I' and is often included for clarity or emphasis, though the verb conjugation already indicates the subject.
Which sentence correctly uses 'میخواهم' to express a desire for an object?
When expressing desire for an object, 'میخواهم' follows the object. The subject 'من' (I) comes first, followed by the object 'یک کتاب' (a book), and then the verb 'میخواهم' (want).
How would you politely ask someone if they want tea?
The word 'آیا' (āyā) is often used at the beginning of a question for politeness, similar to 'Do you...?' in English. 'میخواهید' (mikhāhid) is the plural/polite form of 'you want'. The object 'چای' (chāy) comes before the verb.
The sentence 'او میخواهم برود.' means 'He wants to go.'
This statement is false. 'او میخواهم برود.' is grammatically incorrect. The verb 'میخواهم' is conjugated for 'I' (first person singular). For 'he/she wants', it should be 'او میخواهد برود.'
In the sentence 'من میخواهم قهوه بنوشم.', 'بنوشم' means 'to drink'.
This statement is true. 'بنوشم' is the subjunctive form of the verb 'نوشیدن' (nūshidan), meaning 'to drink'. When expressing 'I want to do something', you often use 'میخواهم' followed by the subjunctive form of the action verb.
If you want to say 'We want food', you would say 'ما میخواهید غذا'.
This statement is false. 'میخواهید' is the conjugation for 'you (plural/polite) want'. For 'we want', it should be 'ما میخواهیم غذا.'
Choose the most appropriate response to: «چرا میخواهی به این سفر بروی؟» (Why do you want to go on this trip?)
The question asks for a reason, and 'زیرا میخواهم تجربیات جدیدی کسب کنم' (Because I want to gain new experiences) provides a logical and comprehensive answer.
Which of these sentences best expresses a strong desire or intention using 'میخواهم'?
The phrase 'با موفقیت به اتمام برسانم' (to successfully complete) elevates the desire beyond a simple wish, indicating a strong intention or ambition, which is suitable for C1 level.
Which of the following is the most formal way to express a request using 'میخواهم' in a business context?
The option 'من میخواهم که شما در این زمینه به من کمک کنید' uses 'شما' for formality and 'در این زمینه' (in this regard/field) for specificity, making it the most appropriate for a formal business context at C1 level.
The sentence «او میخواهد که مدیرعامل شرکت شود، اما این امر مستلزم تلاش فراوان است.» (He wants to become the CEO of the company, but this requires a lot of effort.) correctly uses 'میخواهم' to express an ambitious goal.
The sentence accurately reflects the use of 'میخواهم' (or 'میخواهد' in this case, for 'he/she') to convey a significant and ambitious desire, consistent with C1 level understanding.
In a formal debate, it is appropriate to start a rebuttal with «من نمیخواهم با این نکته موافق باشم.» (I don't want to agree with this point.)
While grammatically correct, 'من نمیخواهم با این نکته موافق باشم' is too informal and direct for a formal debate. A more appropriate C1-level phrase would be «من با این نکته موافق نیستم» (I do not agree with this point) or «من در این مورد نظرات متفاوتی دارم» (I have different opinions on this matter).
The phrase «میخواهم مطمئن شوم که همه چیز طبق برنامه پیش میرود.» (I want to make sure everything goes according to plan.) implies a proactive and responsible attitude.
This statement uses 'میخواهم' to express a desire for control and planning, which reflects a proactive and responsible attitude, fitting for C1 comprehension.
Listen for the speaker asking if you want to know more about the complexities of Iran's foreign policy.
Listen for the CEO explaining their desire to target a new market in Asia.
Listen for the statement about many people wanting the economic situation to improve given current conditions.
Read this aloud:
میخواهید درباره تأثیرات تغییرات اقلیمی بر اقتصاد جهانی صحبت کنید؟
Focus: میخواهید (mikhāhid)
You said:
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Read this aloud:
من میخواهم یک تحلیل عمیق از ادبیات معاصر ایران ارائه دهم.
Focus: میخواهم (mikhāham)
You said:
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Read this aloud:
آیا شما میخواهید در بحث آینده انرژیهای تجدیدپذیر شرکت کنید؟
Focus: میخواهید (mikhāhid)
You said:
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/ 36 correct
Perfect score!
Example
من میخواهم یک فنجان چای.
Related Content
Related Phrases
More general words
عادتوار
C1As a matter of habit; habitually.
عادی
A1Conforming to the usual or standard type; normal or ordinary.
عافیت
B2Well-being; the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy.
عاجل
B2Requiring immediate attention or action; urgent.
عاقبت
C1The outcome or result of an action or event.
عاقل
A1Having or showing experience, knowledge, and good judgment; wise.
عالمگیر
C1Universal, worldwide, or affecting all parts of the world.
عالی
A1Excellent; extremely good or outstanding.
عام
B1General, common, public.
اعم از
B2Including; whether (used to introduce options).
