Saya Mau...
I Want...
'Mau' is incredibly useful — add what you want after it. 'Saya mau makan' = 'I want to eat.'
Learn "Saya Mau" meaning "I want" in Indonesian -- one of the most versatile and frequently used phrases in Bahasa Indonesia. Simply add any noun or verb after it to express your desires when ordering food, shopping, or making requests across Indonesia.
💬Example Sentences
Saya mau nasi goreng, tolong.
I want fried rice, please.
Saya mau beli oleh-oleh.
I want to buy souvenirs.
Mau minum apa?
What do you want to drink?
🏭Cultural Context
The word "mau" is wonderfully versatile in Indonesian. It works as both "want" and "will/going to," so "saya mau pergi" can mean both "I want to go" and "I'm going to go." In casual Indonesian, people often drop "saya" and just say "mau" followed by what they want: "Mau makan?" (Want to eat?), "Mau ke mana?" (Where do you want to go?). At warungs (small local eateries), the server might simply ask "Mau apa?" (What do you want?) or "Mau minum apa?" (What do you want to drink?). While "mau" is direct, it is not considered rude in Indonesian -- it is simply practical and efficient communication.