To make a polite request or express a wish in Russian, you can use the phrase я хотел бы or я хотела бы (I would like). It is much softer and more polite than saying "I want."
This phrase uses the past tense of the verb "to want" (хотеть) paired with the conditional particle бы (would).
| would (conditional particle) / concessive particle | бы |
Because it uses the past tense form, the verb must match the gender and number of the person speaking.
| Subject | Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| I (masculine) | я хотел бы | I would like |
| I (feminine) | я хотела бы | I would like |
| We (plural) | мы хотели бы | We would like |
With an infinitive verb
You can follow хотел(а) бы with an infinitive verb to politely state what you want to do, such as trying food, paying, or returning an item.
| I would like to try this dessert. | Я хотела бы попробовать этот десерт. |
| I would like to order a table for today. | Я хотел бы заказать столик на сегодня. |
| I would like to pay with cash. | Я хотела бы заплатить наличными. |
If you are speaking about someone else, the same rules apply. Match the verb to their gender or number.
| She would like to return the ticket, but it is already late. | Она хотела бы вернуть билет, но уже поздно. |
| They would like to order dessert, because it is delicious. | Они хотели бы заказать десерт, потому что он вкусный. |
With a noun
You can also use хотел(а) бы directly with a noun to ask for something. The thing you are asking for is the direct object, so it takes the accusative case.
Notice that for inanimate masculine nouns like столик (table) or счёт (bill), the accusative form is exactly the same as the dictionary form.
| We would like a separate table, please. | Мы хотели бы отдельный столик, пожалуйста. |
| I would like a double room for tomorrow. | Я хотел бы двухместный номер на завтра. |
| I would like a separate bill, please. | Я хотела бы отдельный счёт, пожалуйста. |
