wollen
Translation
wanted to
Examples
Wir wollten ins Kino gehen.
We wanted to go to the cinema.
Sie wollten das nicht tun.
They did not want to do that.
Ich wollte dich gestern anrufen.
I wanted to call you yesterday.
Grammar Patterns
((to do sth.)) wanted to do sth. We wanted to go to the cinema.
Similar Words
möchten (would like to), beabsichtigen (to intend)
Etymology
From Old High German 'wellan', related to the English word 'will'.
Memory Tips
Think of the English 'will'. 'Wollten' is the past tense, similar to how 'would' can express a past desire. 'They willed it to happen' -> 'Sie wollten...'