Wanna means want to or want a in casual speech. I wanna go = I want to go, and Wanna coffee? = Do you want a coffee? A question starting with Wanna is a common friendly invitation: Wanna come? = Do you want to come with us? People say and write it with friends, but a message to a teacher or colleague needs I'd like to or Would you like to…? Don't write wanna in an essay; in IELTS Speaking, running want to together in fast speech is natural, just like gonna.
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I/you/we/they + wanna + verb; wanna + noun (= want a); Wanna + verb? (an invitation); he/she wants to
- I wanna see that new film, are you free on Friday night?
- Wanna come to the park with us after class?
- I'm so tired, I just wanna go home and sleep.
What changed
First versionMy sister wanna study in Canada next year.
RevisionMy sister wants to study in Canada next year.
Wanna replaces want to only with I, you, we and they. When you're talking about one person, such as a sister, you need wants to: the -s ending stays, and that form isn't shortened to wanna.
Wanna and gonna are easy to mix up by ear. Wanna is about wanting: I wanna leave means I want to leave. Gonna is about what's going to happen: I'm gonna leave means I'm about to leave. Gonna comes after am, is or are; wanna doesn't.
Your turn
We've got ten minutes before the meeting. ___ coffee?
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Wanna — You're offering the other person coffee, that is, asking whether they want some: Wanna coffee? = Do you want a coffee? Gonna only goes before a verb, and nobody says Gonna coffee?
Write a message inviting a friend somewhere, starting with Wanna…? Say where and when.
Wanna check out the night market on Saturday around eight?
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