Hindi · Everyday Verbs
"to want" in Hindi: चाहना
चाहनाchaahna
Note: "I want": मुझे … चाहिए (mujhe … chaahiye)
To want in Hindi is चाहना (chaahna). With a noun, people often say mujhe … chahiye (I want …). With verbs, use chaahna: main jaana chaahata hoon (I want to go). A man says chaahata, a woman chaahati.
Ordering at a café
मुझे एक कप चाय चाहिए, बिना चीनी।mujhe ek kap chaay chahiye, bina cheeni.
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How to pronounce चाहना
Say it
CHAah-naa
/tʃɑːɦnɑː/
Chaahna is CHAah-naa with a long aa in the middle. The ch is plain, not aspirated. Hold the aa clearly before the final naa.
"to want" in Hindi: quick reference
| Hindi | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| चाहनाchaahna | to want The verb for wanting actions or things. | The verb for wanting actions or things. |
| चाहता हूँchaahata hoon | I want (masculine) Main yah chaahata hoon. | Main yah chaahata hoon. |
| चाहती हूँchaahati hoon | I want (feminine) Main yah chaahati hoon. | Main yah chaahati hoon. |
| चाहिएchahiye | is wanted; need Mujhe paani chahiye, mujhe jaana chahiye. | Mujhe paani chahiye, mujhe jaana chahiye. |
| मन करनाman karna | to feel like ( wanting ) Casual: mujhe ghoomne ka man kar raha hai. | Casual: mujhe ghoomne ka man kar raha hai. |
How to use चाहना in real life
- 1Ordering at a café
मुझे एक कप चाय चाहिए, बिना चीनी।
mujhe ek kap chaay chahiye, bina cheeni.
I want a cup of tea, without sugar.
Mujhe … chahiye is the fastest shop phrase.
- 2Making a plan
मैं वीकेंड पर घूमने जाना चाहता हूँ।
main weekend par ghoomne jaana chaahata hoon.
I want to go traveling on the weekend.
A woman says chaahati hoon.
- 3Declining politely
अभी कुछ नहीं चाहिए, धन्यवाद।
abhi kuchh nahin chahiye, dhanyavaad.
I don't want anything right now, thank you.
Kuchh nahin chahiye works at shops and restaurants.
Mistakes English speakers make with चाहना
Incorrect: मैं चाय चाहता हूँ। (ordering a thing)
Correct: मुझे चाय चाहिए।
For wanting a thing, Hindi prefers mujhe … chahiye, not a direct object with chaahna.
Incorrect: मैं जाना चाहिए।
Correct: मुझे जाना चाहिए। / मैं जाना चाहता हूँ।
Chahiye pairs with mujhe. With chaahna, keep main jaana chaahata hoon.
Good to know
Shopkeepers expect mujhe … chahiye, not long sentences. Softening with thoda or bas keeps requests friendly. Saying zyada nahin chahiye means I don't want much.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Choosing dishes at a family lunch
ChatPal
आप क्या खाना चाहते हैं?
aap kya khaana chaahate hain?
What do you want to eat?
You
मुझे दाल चावल चाहिए, ज़्यादा तीखा नहीं।
mujhe daal chaaval chahiye, zyaada teekha nahin.
I want dal and rice, not too spicy.
ChatPal
मीठे में क्या चाहिए?
meethe mein kya chahiye?
What do you want for dessert?
You
मुझे थोड़ा हलवा चाहिए, बस इतना।
mujhe thoda halwa chahiye, bas itna.
I want a little halwa, just this much.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to want" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to want" in Hindi
When do I use chahiye vs chaahata?
Use mujhe … chahiye for wanting things. Use chaahata/chaahati hoon with verbs: main jaana chaahata hoon.
How does chaahna change for women?
Chaahati hoon in present. With aap, chaahate hain for anyone.
Does chahiye mean need or want?
Both, depending on tone. Mujhe paani chahiye can be I need water or I want water.
What is man karna?
To feel like doing something: mujhe sone ka man kar raha hai.
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- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
