In this lesson, we will learn how to express desires such as “I want to do ~” or “I want ~” in Vietnamese.
Vietnamese also has a structure to express desires similar to English. However, the difference is that in Vietnamese, there is no distinction in the structure when expressing a desire to do something or to have something. In Vietnamese, both meanings can be conveyed using auxiliary verbs, as shown below.
The “Tôi muốn~” Structure
1. “I want to do ~” Structure (Equivalent to “want to” in English)
Example Sentences:
① Tôi muốn cuốn sách này.
I want this book.
② Cô ấy muốn ăn món Ý.
She wants to eat Italian food.
③ Tôi muốn gặp chị Lan.
I want to meet Ms. Lan.
④ Tôi muốn đi sân bay Tân Sơn Nhất.
I want to go to Tân Sơn Nhất Airport.
⑤ Anh ấy không muốn sống ở nông thôn.
He does not want to live in the countryside.
2. “I want someone to do ~” Structure
(This structure takes a clause afterward to indicate “wanting someone to do something”)
Example Sentences:
① Giám đốc muốn nhân viên đến công ty sớm.
The director wants the employees to come to the company early.
② Cô ấy muốn tôi đi với cô ấy.
She wants me to go with her.
③ Mẹ tôi không muốn tôi về muộn.
My mother does not want me to come home late.
“Tôi mong~” and “Tôi hi vọng~”
The auxiliary verb “muốn” can be replaced with “mong” (meaning wish, desire – equivalent to “wish” in English) or “kỳ vọng”, “hi vọng” (meaning expect, hope in English).
Example Sentences:
① Tôi mong anh ấy sẽ sớm khỏi bệnh.
I wish that he will recover soon.
② Mong mọi việc sẽ sớm ổn định.
I wish that everything will stabilize soon.
③ Tôi hi vọng chị ấy sẽ đạt giải.
I hope that she will win a prize.
④ Trong tương lai, tôi hi vọng em tôi sẽ trở thành bác sĩ.
In the future, I hope that my younger sibling will become a doctor.