what is the different between "need" and "want"? 1- want: expresses "desire" use "want" when you want some thing not necessary ex: i want to play football. as you see football not necessary to play it ,and if you don't nothing will happen . note: you can say "want to" or "wanna" 2- need: express "necessity" use "need" when you need some thing necessary ex: i need water as you see water is very necessary in order to survive note: you can say " need to" or "need ta"