je veux des crêpes
To say I want pancakes in French, use je veux des crêpes. It expresses a desire to eat pancakes.
je veux des crêpes says plainly that you want some pancakes. Word for word it reads I want some pancakes.
What does it mean word for word?
je veux means I want, and des crêpes means some pancakes, with des as the article meaning some.
Which one should you use?
Je voudrais des crêpes, s'il vous plaît. means I would like pancakes, please and is the polite choice. J'ai envie de crêpes. means I feel like eating pancakes.
How does it change in a sentence?
Using the conditional voudrais instead of veux makes the request much more polite and natural in a restaurant or as a guest.
When do people say it?
In French, crêpes are thin, delicate pancakes. Thick American style pancakes are a different dish, so be specific if that is what you want.
Did you know?
- In France, La Chandeleur is a traditional holiday celebrated on February 2nd where eating crêpes is the central custom. It is traditionally believed that if you hold a coin in your hand while flipping a crêpe, you will have prosperity in the coming year.
- While crêpes are usually sweet, the word can also refer to a heavy, textured fabric with a crimped surface, similar to the English 'crepe paper'.
- In Brittany, the traditional galette is a savory version of a crêpe made from buckwheat flour. Because they are salted, they are distinct from the sweet crêpes usually implied by je veux des crêpes.
Examples in context
- J'ai envie de crêpes ce matin, ça te dit ?I feel like having pancakes this morning, what do you think?
- Je veux des crêpes pour le petit déjeuner.I want pancakes for breakfast.
- Maman, je veux des crêpes avec du sucre.Mom, I want pancakes with sugar.
- Je veux des crêpes au chocolat, s'il vous plaît.I want chocolate pancakes, please.
Example conversation
A hungry child talks to her brother in the kitchen.
- LéaLucas, je veux des crêpes.Lucas, I want pancakes.
- LucasTu n'as pas encore déjeuné, Léa ?Haven't you had breakfast yet, Léa?
- LéaNon, je veux des crêpes maintenant.No, I want pancakes now.
- LucasD'accord, je vais t'en préparer.Okay, I will make some for you.
