What do 'gonna', 'wanna' and 'gotta' mean?

What they mean: These are informal spoken contractions, not separate words. You'll see them in subtitles and song lyrics but you'd never write them in a formal context.

• gonna = going to: "I'm gonna call her later."
• wanna = want to: "Do you wanna grab lunch?"
• gotta = got to (= have to): "I gotta finish this report."

Why natives say this: In fast speech, words blend together. "Going to" becomes "gonna", "want to" becomes "wanna". It's not lazy speech — it's how English naturally flows at normal speed.

Can you use them? Yes, in casual conversation and messaging. Avoid in emails, formal writing, or professional presentations. If you're unsure, use the full form — it's never wrong.

Tags: American English, informal, contractions, spoken English