want to

English

Etymology 1

Phrase

want to

  1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see want,‎ to.

Etymology 2

Semantic loan from Hokkien 欲 (beh) or 愛 / 爱 (ài) and later Mandarin 要 (yào).

Pronunciation

  • (Singapore) IPA(key): /ˈwʌn tu/, [ˈwän˦ tu˨]

Phrase

want to

  1. (Singapore, Malaysia, Singlish, with a third person subject) About to; indicates imminent action.
    Want to rain already. ― It’s about to rain.
    This poster like want to fall off already. ― This poster’s about to fall off.
Usage notes

This phrase is often paired with a clause-final inchoative particle, either already or liao.

With first person subjects, want to can only be used desideratively (e.g., I want to sleep already).

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