wanted; past tense of the verb 'to want';
female speakers add an 'a' suffix
Я
ya
I
* Note: the Russian word for 'would' is бы. However, it is always used with another word (most commonly a past-tense verb) and never begins a sentence or clause.
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In English, it is more polite to say 'I would like .." than "I want ..".
In Russian there is a similar rule for politeness, but instead they say "I would wanted ..".
I would like an ice-cream (literally: I wanted would an ice-cream)
Я хотел бы мороженое
Pronounced:
ya ha-tyel bei ma-roh-zheh-na-ye
Listen:
(Lena)
I would like a bottle of vodka (literally: I wanted would a bottle of vodka)
Я хотел бы бутылку водки
Pronounced:
ya ha-tyel bei boo-teil-koo vod-ki
Listen:
(Lena)
I would like a room with a view of the Volga (literally: I would wanted a room with a view to the Volga)
Я бы хотел комнату с видом на Волгу
Pronounced:
ya bei ha-tyelkom-na-too s-vee-dam na vol-goo
Listen:
(Lena)
I would like ..
The Russian phrase for 'I would like' can be written in two ways:
Я хотел бы
or
Я бы хотел
When speaking, use whatever version you feel most comfortable with, but be prepared to hear it both ways.
Remember, female speakers add an 'a' to the end of 'хотел' = хотела
