chtít

Chtít is the Czech verb meaning “to want.” It denotes desire or intention and is used to express what someone wants to do, needs, or prefers. The verb is imperfective and is typically followed by an infinitive, as in “Chci jít domů” (I want to go home). It can also govern a subordinate clause introduced by “aby” to express a wish about another person’s action: “Chci, aby přišel” (I want him to come).

Conjugation and forms: In the present tense the forms are: já chci, ty chceš, on/ona/ono chce, my chceme, vy chcete, oni chtějí. The past tense has gender- and number-specific forms: masculine singular “chtěl,” feminine singular “chtěla,” neuter singular “chtělo,” masculine plural “chtěli,” feminine plural “chtěly.” The future tense is formed with the auxiliary “být” plus the infinitive: budu chtít, budeš chtít, bude chtít, budeme chtít, budete chtít, budou chtít. The conditional mood is used for hypothetical desires: “chtěl bych” (I would like) typically with masculine speakers, “chtěla bych” for feminine, and “chtěli bychom/chtěly bychom” for plural speakers.

Usage notes: Chtít expresses a straightforward want or preference and governs an infinitive or an “aby” clause for others’ actions. Common paraphrases include “přát si” or, in a softer register, “rád bych.” The verb is widely used in everyday Czech and remains common across registers. It is important to distinguish the present forms from the past participles when forming compound tenses.

Etymology: Chtít derives from the Proto-Slavic root *xotěti, with cognates in Polish chcieć, Russian хотеть, Ukrainian хотіти, and other Slavic languages, all sharing the core meaning of desire or intention.