Different ways to say “I want”

We all know from school that “I want” can be a little too direct and impolite in some situations, and that “I’d like…” or “Could I have …” might be better.

As my mum used to tell us when we were kids: “‘I want’ never gets.”

She also used to say “hot burn hurt” to stop us touching hot kitchen stuff. I still kind of like that phrase.

Anyway — there are lots of different phrases for talking about what we want:

I could really do with …

This phrase is almost like “I need.”

It’s like saying “I know what could really fix this situation!”

So you could say things like:

“I could really do with a coffee right now.”

“We can’t get there in time just by walking. We could really do with a bike or something.”

We can also use it when we think something needs some work:

“Those trousers could really do with a wash! Weren’t they white before?”

I feel like …

When I was learning Turkish, I discovered the phrase “canım istiyor,” which can translate as “my soul wants it.”

That’s exactly what this phrase means — a spontaneous desire for something.

“I feel like a nap.”

“I feel like going to the beach today.”

I’m in the mood for …

This one is more light and fun.

You know those situations when you’re with lots of people, and you’re all trying to decide what to do this evening, and everyone has different ideas.

You could say something like:

“I’m in the mood forbowling.”

You’re explaining what you want to do but without too much pressure.

So you can be in the mood for either a thing:

“I’m in the mood for a sandwich.”

Or an action:

“I’m in the mood fordancing.”