2.8 – the verb chtít 'to want'

We also need to learn the verb chtít – to want. This is another important verb to learn since you’ll want to talk about what you want.

Of course, it’s a bit irregular…

Here it is. As you can see, for the most part it looks like an -e- verb, though with some obvious exceptions (já and oni forms):

chtít                        to want

(já)	chci ‘I want’	(my)	chceme ‘we want’
(ty)	chceš ‘you want’	(vy)	chcete ‘you want’
(on/ona/ono)	chce ‘he/she wants’	(oni/ony/ona)	chtějí ‘they want’

Now just like with some of the verb mít ‘to have’, it will be followed by the accusative. here are some examples with typical Czech foods/drinks.

Lenka chce guláš.

Lenka wants goulash.

Já chci pivo.

I want beer.

chtít  infinitive

You can also follow the verb chtít with an infinitive. Remember that the infinitive in Czech is the to ________ form, e.g. –

tančit – to dance

cestovat – to travel

plavat – to swim

zpívat – to sing

So you can say:

Martina chce zpívat.

Martina wants to sing.

Chceme běhat.

We want to run.

Images used in this document come from these sources.