What does it mean word for word?
In this phrase, veux is the first-person singular conjugation of the irregular verb vouloir, which means "to want". The word du is a contraction of de and le, acting as a partitive article that means "some" in this context.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form je veux du chocolat is an informal way to say "I want chocolate!" For a more polite and less demanding request, use the conditional je voudrais du chocolat to mean "I would like some chocolate". Other formal options include J'aimerais avoir du chocolat, s'il vous plaît (I would like to have some chocolate, please) or Pourriez-vous m'apporter du chocolat, s'il vous plaît? (Could you bring me some chocolate, please?). In a more colloquial setting, you might say Je suis en manque de chocolat! to mean "I'm craving chocolate!" or J'ai envie de chocolat! to mean "I feel like having some chocolate!"
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the phrase in a negative sense, such as "I do not want chocolate" (je ne veux pas de chocolat), the partitive article du changes to de following the negation pas.
Did you know?
- The expression je suis en manque de chocolat uses the word manque, which is the same term used to describe drug withdrawal symptoms.
- In French, saying je veux du chocolat to a waiter or a shopkeeper can be perceived as an aggressive demand rather than a request.
- The word chocolat traces its roots back to the Nahuatl word chocolātl, meaning the phrase traveled from the Americas to Europe via Spanish.
Examples in context
- Je veux du chocolat !I want chocolate!This sentence is useful for expressing a direct desire for chocolate.Tatoeba #8735140 by Micsmithel, translation #5279281 by Adelpa
- Je veux du chocolat pour mon dessert.I want some chocolate for my dessert.
- Maman, je veux du chocolat maintenant !Mom, I want some chocolate now!
Example conversation
A child is asking his mother for a treat in the kitchen.
- NathanMaman, je veux du chocolat.Mom, I want some chocolate.
- ManonPas maintenant, Nathan, c'est l'heure de dîner.Not now, Nathan, it is time for dinner.
- NathanS'il te plaît, est-ce que je peux en avoir ?Please, can I have some?
- ManonD'accord, après le repas.Okay, after the meal.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chocolat, du, je, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
