In the article, there is a semantic analysis of the phrase 'chciec sie' (to want) in expressions directly pointing to the subject, like: 'Jankowi chce sie pic' - Johnny wants to drink (unlike expressions with a generalized or hidden subject, e.g. 'Mozna pic, ile sie chce' - One may drink as much as one wants). Two meanings have been distinguished in the phrase 'chciec sie'. One meaning, defined as physiological - emotional, refers to states associated with the needs of human (sometimes animal) organism, physiological reactions to various feelings. Another meaning, volitional derives from the meaning of the phrase 'nie chciec sie' (not want); it introduces the perspective of the sender - viewer and element evaluating the subject's actions. The analysis of the negative phrase usage has shown its lack of symmetry with the positive version of the phrase. The analysis shows semantic differences between 'chciec sie' and 'chciec'. However, it has not been stated clearly whether 'chciec sie' is a separate lexeme or a syntactic structure based on 'chciec'.