Questions & Answers about После работы мне хочется немного полежать.
Why is it после работы, not после работа?
Because после requires the genitive case.
The noun работа is nominative singular.
Its genitive singular form is работы.
So:
- работа = work, job
- после работы = after work
This is a very common pattern in Russian:
- после урока = after the lesson
- после обеда = after lunch
- после фильма = after the film
What does мне хочется literally mean?
Literally, it is something like to me it is wanted or I feel like.
Russian often expresses feelings and states with:
- a person in the dative case
- plus an impersonal verb
So:
- мне = to me
- хочется = one feels like, is inclined to want
Together, мне хочется means:
- I feel like
- I want to
- I have a desire to
In this sentence, it sounds softer and more natural than a direct я хочу.
Why is it мне, not я?