Expressing Desire,
Mastering Hindi desire requires switching between direct verbs and indirect emotional expressions based on social context.
The Rule in 30 Seconds
- Use `चाहना` for direct, general desires with a direct subject.
- Use `मन करना` for spontaneous cravings or whims with an indirect subject.
- Use `चाहूँगा` for polite, formal requests in professional settings.
- Never confuse `चाहना` (want) with `चाहिए` (should/need).
Quick Reference
| Structure | Nuance | Example |
|---|---|---|
| मैं ... चाहता हूँ | Direct/General | मैं आम खाना चाहता हूँ। |
| मेरा ... मन कर रहा है | Spontaneous/Crave | मेरा फिल्म देखने का मन है। |
| मैं ... चाहूँगा | Polite/Formal | मैं आपसे बात करना चाहूँगा। |
| मेरी ... इच्छा है | Formal/Intentional | मेरी विदेश जाने की इच्छा है। |
| मेरा ... जी करता है | Deep/Emotional Whim | मेरा जी करता है कि रो दूँ। |
| चाहता हूँ कि ... (Subjunctive) | Desire for others | मैं चाहता हूँ कि आप जीतें। |
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 8मैं आज जल्दी घर जाना चाहता हूँ।
I want to go home early today.
मेरा आज समोसे खाने का मन कर रहा है।
I feel like eating samosas today.
मैं प्रबंधक से मिलना चाहूँगा।
I would like to meet the manager.
The Future Tense Trick
Always use the future form `चाहूँगा` when ordering food. It sounds much more sophisticated than the present tense.
The 'Ko' Trap
Never use `को` with `चाहना`. It’s `मैं चाहता हूँ`, not `मुझको चाहता हूँ`. This is the most common error for English speakers.
The Rule in 30 Seconds
- Use `चाहना` for direct, general desires with a direct subject.
- Use `मन करना` for spontaneous cravings or whims with an indirect subject.
- Use `चाहूँगा` for polite, formal requests in professional settings.
- Never confuse `चाहना` (want) with `चाहिए` (should/need).
Overview
Desire is the heartbeat of language. In Hindi, expressing what you want is an art. It goes far beyond simple verbs. You can be direct, polite, or even poetic. At a C1 level, you need nuance. You must choose the right word for the right mood. This guide covers everything from daily cravings to lifelong dreams. We will look at structures that sound natural. You will learn to avoid sounding like a translated textbook. Let's dive into the world of Hindi desires.
How This Grammar Works
Hindi uses different structures based on intensity. The most common verb is चाहना. It works like the English "to want." But Hindi also loves indirect expressions. These often use the word मन (mind/heart). Or they use इच्छा (wish) for formal settings. Think of it like a volume knob. You turn it up for strong demands. You turn it down for polite requests. Most desire structures involve an infinitive verb. Sometimes the subject takes the को postposition. Other times, it stays in the direct case. Understanding this shift is the key to mastery.
Formation Pattern
- 1For direct desire, use: Subject + (Object/Infinitive) +
चाहना. - 2For spontaneous urges, use: Subject +
को+ (Infinitive) +का मन करना. - 3For formal wishes, use: Subject +
की इच्छा होना. - 4For polite requests, use the future tense:
चाहूँगा/चाहूँगी. - 5For the subjunctive (wanting someone else to do something): Subject +
चाहता हूँ कि+ Subjunctive Clause.
When To Use It
Use चाहना for general intentions. It is perfect for saying "I want to go home." Use मन करना for sudden whims. Use this when you suddenly crave spicy street food. It sounds very native and warm. In a job interview, switch to इच्छा or चाहूँगा. These show respect and professional distance. If you are writing a song, use ख्वाहिश or तमन्ना. These words carry the weight of deep soul-searching. Yes, even native speakers get poetic sometimes! Use the subjunctive when you have expectations of others. It is the "polite boss" way to give orders.
When Not To Use It
Do not use चाहना when you mean "should." That is the job of चाहिए. This is a classic trap for learners. Avoid चाहना for physical needs like hunger. You don't "want" hunger; you "have" it. Use भूख लगी है instead. Also, avoid being too direct with elders. Saying "I want this" to a grandmother sounds rude. Use indirect phrasing like "If you permit..." or "It would be nice if..." instead. Grammar is a social tool, not just a list of rules.
Common Mistakes
Many people say मुझको जाना चाहता हूँ. This is a grammar car crash. If you use चाहना, the subject is usually direct: मैं जाना चाहता हूँ. Another mistake is forgetting the का in मन करना. It is always मेरा मन..., never just मैं मन.... Think of it like a grammar traffic light. If you miss the postposition, the sentence stops working. Also, don't confuse चाहिए (needed) with चाहता (wants). One is a requirement; the other is a feeling. Mixing them up might get you a hammer when you asked for a hug.
Contrast With Similar Patterns
चाहना vs चाहिए: चाहना is about your internal will. चाहिए is about external necessity or advice. मन करना vs जी करना: These are almost identical. जी करना is slightly more colloquial and emotional. It feels like your very soul is asking for it. इच्छा vs अभिलाषा: Both mean wish. But अभिलाषा is very high-register. You might find it in a graduation speech. You won't find it at a vegetable market. Choosing the wrong one makes you sound like a time traveler from 1920.
Quick FAQ
Q. Can I use चाहना for "to love"?
A. Yes, in literature, but प्यार करना is safer for daily life.
Q. Is मन करना always used with को?
A. Yes, the logical subject always takes the oblique form with का/की/के.
Q. How do I say "I would like"?
A. Use the future tense: मैं चाय लेना चाहूँगा.
Q. What is the most formal word for desire?
A. अभिलाषा or आकांक्षा are very formal.
Q. Can I use चाहना in the past tense?
A. Yes, मैं चाहता था means "I wanted."
Reference Table
| Structure | Nuance | Example |
|---|---|---|
| मैं ... चाहता हूँ | Direct/General | मैं आम खाना चाहता हूँ। |
| मेरा ... मन कर रहा है | Spontaneous/Crave | मेरा फिल्म देखने का मन है। |
| मैं ... चाहूँगा | Polite/Formal | मैं आपसे बात करना चाहूँगा। |
| मेरी ... इच्छा है | Formal/Intentional | मेरी विदेश जाने की इच्छा है। |
| मेरा ... जी करता है | Deep/Emotional Whim | मेरा जी करता है कि रो दूँ। |
| चाहता हूँ कि ... (Subjunctive) | Desire for others | मैं चाहता हूँ कि आप जीतें। |
The Future Tense Trick
Always use the future form `चाहूँगा` when ordering food. It sounds much more sophisticated than the present tense.
The 'Ko' Trap
Never use `को` with `चाहना`. It’s `मैं चाहता हूँ`, not `मुझको चाहता हूँ`. This is the most common error for English speakers.
Indirectness is Politeness
In Indian culture, being too direct about your wants can seem aggressive. Using `मन है` softens the request significantly.
Mind vs. Heart
Think of `मन` as your 'internal compass.' If your `मन` wants it, it's a genuine feeling, not just a logical choice.
Beispiele
8मैं आज जल्दी घर जाना चाहता हूँ।
Focus: चाहता हूँ
I want to go home early today.
Standard use of the infinitive + chaahna.
मेरा आज समोसे खाने का मन कर रहा है।
Focus: मन कर रहा है
I feel like eating samosas today.
Use 'man kar raha hai' for cravings.
मैं प्रबंधक से मिलना चाहूँगा।
Focus: चाहूँगा
I would like to meet the manager.
Future tense makes it polite and professional.
वह चाहती है कि मैं उसकी मदद करूँ।
Focus: चाहती है कि
She wants me to help her.
The second verb 'karoon' is in the subjunctive mood.
मेरी उच्च शिक्षा के लिए विदेश जाने की इच्छा है।
Focus: इच्छा है
It is my wish to go abroad for higher education.
Very formal and structured.
✗ मुझको पानी चाहता हूँ → ✓ मैं पानी चाहता हूँ।
Focus: मैं
I want water.
Chaahna takes a direct subject, not the 'ko' form.
✗ मैं जाना चाहिए → ✓ मुझे जाना चाहिए।
Focus: चाहिए
I should go.
Chahiye requires the 'ko' subject and means 'should'.
तुम्हें देखने की एक छोटी सी ख्वाहिश है।
Focus: ख्वाहिश
There is a small desire to see you.
Khwaahish adds a romantic or deep emotional touch.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the correct form to express a polite request in a restaurant.
मैं एक कॉफ़ी पीना ___।
While 'chaahna' is okay, 'chaahunga' (future) is the standard polite way to order.
Express a sudden craving for ice cream.
मेरा आइसक्रीम खाने का ___ है।
'Man' is used with the possessive 'mera' to show a spontaneous urge.
Complete the subjunctive structure.
माँ चाहती है कि मैं बाज़ार ___।
After 'chahti hai ki', the following verb must be in the subjunctive mood (jaoon).
🎉 Ergebnis: /3
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Direct vs. Indirect Desire
Choosing the Right Verb
Is it a polite request?
Is it a formal setting?
Is it a deep aspiration?
Vocabulary by Register
Casual
- • मन करना
- • जी करना
Standard
- • चाहना
- • चाहूँगा
Formal
- • इच्छा
- • आकांक्षा
Literary
- • ख्वाहिश
- • तमन्ना
Häufig gestellte Fragen
20 Fragenचाहना is a verb meaning 'to want' (e.g., मैं चाहता हूँ). चाहिए is a modal meaning 'should' or 'is needed' (e.g., मुझे जाना चाहिए).
Use the phrase मन करना. For example, मेरा नाचने का मन कर रहा है means 'I feel like dancing.'
You can, but it sounds a bit stiff. It's like saying 'It is my desire' instead of 'I want' in English.
Yes, it can mean 'to like' or 'to love' someone. मैं उसे चाहता हूँ can mean 'I love her' in a romantic context.
Because you are literally saying 'My mind is doing [this].' The mind is the actor, and it belongs to you.
Simply put चाहना in the past tense: मैं जाना चाहता था (I wanted to go).
It's when you want someone else to act. You use चाहता हूँ कि followed by a verb like जाए or करे.
They are very similar. जी करना is slightly more emotional or whimsical, often used in songs and stories.
Just add नहीं before the verb: मैं नहीं जाना चाहता.
Yes, मैं यह किताब चाहता हूँ (I want this book) is perfectly correct.
It is an Urdu-origin word for 'desire' or 'wish.' it is very common in Bollywood songs and poetry.
Use the polite future: मैं एक सवाल पूछना चाहूँगा.
Rarely. It's very dramatic. Use it if you're declaring your life's ultimate goal or writing a poem.
No, the infinitive stays in its direct form (ending in -na), like खाना चाहता हूँ.
Yes, it usually takes the oblique form with का: खाने का मन.
Use the subjunctive: मैं चाहता हूँ कि तुम रुको.
Rarely. We don't usually say मैं चाह रहा हूँ. Stick to the simple present मैं चाहता हूँ.
इच्छा is a general wish. आकांक्षा is more like an 'ambition' or 'aspiration'.
You can say आप क्या चाहते हैं? or more casually तुम्हारा क्या मन है?
Yes, the verb ending changes. A male says चाहता हूँ, and a female says चाहती हूँ.
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