“Avere Voglia di” in Italian
A very useful expression in Italian is avere voglia di, which can be translated in English as “to feel like” or “to want to”. However, it is not as simple as using the verb volere (to want).
It does express desires or preferences, but its contextual use is very specific. I always tell my students that it is a stronger sense of wanting, way more similar to craving than merely desiring.
It can be followed both by nouns or verbs, and, in general, its structure is quite easy. However, if you read some of my articles already you know I want you to understand the mechanisms behind the language, so let me guide you through it.
Structure of “Avere Voglia di”
“Voglia” Meaning
The key word in this expression is voglia. Linguistically speaking, voglia is the noun counterpart of the verb volere (to want), which directly translates to “desire” or “craving”.
Therefore, we can analyze the expression avere voglia di as being composed of the following essential components:
- Avere (to have)
- Voglia (desire)
- Di (of)
When put together, it literally means “to have a desire for”. Depending on what follows, you can express a desire to do something (using a verb) or a desire for something specific (using a noun).
Ho voglia di gelato.
I feel like having ice cream.
Non ho voglia di parlare.
I don’t feel like talking.
“Avere Voglia di” + Verbs
Whenever avere voglia di is followed by a verb, that verd is in the present infinitive.
Ho voglia di mangiare una pizza.
I feel like eating a pizza.
Hai voglia di uscire stasera?
Do you feel like going out tonight?
“Avere Voglia di” + Nouns
When avere voglia di is followed by a noun, that noun can sometimes be preceded by an article. The choice of whether you need an article or not depends on how general the craving is.
For example, you use no article when you are craving something general, as in the following example:
Ho voglia di caffè.
I feel like having a coffee.
In this case, you can also use an indefinite article to convey the same degree of generalization.
Ho voglia di un caffè.
I am craving a coffee.
If you are craving something specific, then you need to use a definite article.
Ho voglia della torta di mele di mia mamma.
I am craving my mun’s apple pie.
Of course, remember that whenever a preposition is followed by a definite article, they must combine into preposizione articolata.
Negative Form
If you want to turn avere voglia di into a negative statement you simply place non before the conjugated form of avere.
Non ho voglia di parlare.
I don’t feel like talking.
Non abbiamo voglia di andare a quella festa.
We don’t feel like going to that party.
Hai Voglia di vs Ti Va di
in Italian, there are different ways to express a desire. Two similar expressions are hai voglia di and ti va di. They both convey that the subject feels like doing something, but they differ slightly in tone and nuance.
Hai voglia di is more direct and focuses on whether the person has a specific desire or craving for an action or object, often implying a stronger intent.
As I showed before, it’s built on the verb avere (to have) and the noun voglia (desire), followed by the preposition di and either an infinitive verb or noun.
In contrast, ti va di is a softer, more neutral phrase, that translates to “do you feel up to…?” and is used when suggesting something or gauging someone’s mood for an activity without implying strong desire.
It uses the verb andare (to go) always conjugated in the third-person singular form va, combined with an indirect object pronoun that depends on who is expressing the desire, followed by the preposition di and an infinitive verb or noun.
For example:
Ti va di uscire stasera?
Do you feel up to going out tonight?
Non mi va di andare a ballare.
I do not feel like going to dance.
Mi va un pezzo di pizza per cena.
I want a slice of pizza for dinner.
