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wollte — meaning in English: wanted
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wanted
je
ihrer
vielen
besser
wollte
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neutral
very common
Usage
Native speakers use 'wollte' in everyday conversations to express desires or intentions, such as when discussing past wishes or plans. For example, you might hear someone say, 'Ich wollte ins Kino gehen,' meaning 'I wanted to go to the cinema,' often in casual settings like conversations with friends or family.
Synonyms & nuances
'Wollte' can be compared to 'möchte,' which translates to 'would like.' While 'möchte' is often used to express polite requests or desires, 'wollte' carries a stronger sense of a past intention. You would choose 'wollte' when referring to something specific you aimed to do previously rather than just a polite wish.
Culture
'Wollte' is the past tense of 'wollen,' which translates to 'to want.' This word not only highlights personal desires but also reflects a common aspect of German culture, where expressing wants clearly and directly is appreciated. Interestingly, 'wollen' comes from the Old High German 'wolla,' which indicates the strong will or intent, revealing how deeply rooted the concept of desire is in the language's history.
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