Lesson 2 of 6
Gonna, Wanna, Gotta
Use and understand the reductions that are everywhere in American speech.
Watch any American show and you'll hear gonna, wanna and gotta constantly, from teenagers to CEOs. They aren't slang. They're the normal spoken forms. You don't have to use them, but you must understand them, and using them in the right places makes you sound natural.
LearnThe key ideas
The big reductions
| Full form | Reduced | Example |
|---|---|---|
| going to (+ verb) | gonna | I'm gonna call you. |
| want to | wanna | Do you wanna come? |
| got to / have got to | gotta | I gotta go. |
| have to | hafta | I hafta work late. |
| let me | lemme | Lemme see. |
| give me | gimme | Gimme a sec. |
Rules of use
"Gonna" only replaces "going to" before a verb. "I'm gonna eat" is fine, but "I'm gonna the store" is wrong, because there's no verb after it.
Say them, but don't write them in emails, essays or formal messages. In texts to friends they're fine.
ListenListen and repeat
- I'm gonna be a little late.going to → gonna
- Do you wanna grab lunch?want to → wanna
- Sorry, I gotta run.got to → gotta
- Lemme check my calendar.let me → lemme
AvoidCommon mistakes
SpeakShadowing practice
Press Listen, then repeat straight away, copying the speed, rhythm and tone. Say each sentence three times, then record yourself.
- I'm gonna be late, I gotta finish this first.
- Do you wanna watch something tonight?
- Lemme know if you wanna come with us.
CheckQuick quiz
1. Correct use of "gonna":
2. "I gotta go" means:
3. Where should you avoid "wanna"?
PracticeToday's speaking task
Watch 5 minutes of an American sitcom or vlog. Count how many times you hear gonna, wanna or gotta, then copy three of those lines out loud.