What does it mean word for word?
The phrase je veux une pizza literally translates to "I want a pizza" because French requires the indefinite article une before the noun.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In a restaurant setting, it is standard to use the polite form je voudrais une pizza (I would like a pizza) instead of je veux une pizza. For even more formal requests, you can use Pourrais-je commander (Could I order) or Serait-il possible d'avoir (Would it be possible to have).
How does it change in a sentence?
In the negative form, such as je ne veux pas de pizza (I do not want pizza), the indefinite article une changes to de to express "not any" or "none".
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly say je veux pizza, omitting the article. Because French requires an article for singular countable nouns, you must include une.
Did you know?
- In France, you will often see pizza listed on menus as part of a formule, a set meal deal that usually includes a drink and a dessert.
- Because je descends from the Classical Latin egō̆, you are using a word that has remained remarkably stable in its core function for over two thousand years.
- In some regional dialects or very informal slang, the je in je veux is shortened to j'veux, blending the two words together in rapid speech.
Examples in context
- Je veux une pizza.I want pizza.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase je veux une pizza.Tatoeba #8718784 by Micsmithel, translation #5165117 by tabular
- Je voudrais de la pizza, s'il vous plaît.I would like some pizza, please.
- Pourrais-je commander une pizza, s'il vous plaît ?Could I order a pizza, please?
- Serait-il possible d'avoir une pizza ?Would it be possible to have a pizza?
- Je peux avoir une pizza ?Can I have a pizza?
- Je veux une pizza pour le dîner.I want a pizza for dinner.
Example conversation
Manon and Lucas are deciding what to order for dinner.
- ManonJe veux une pizza ce soir.I want a pizza tonight.
- LucasD'accord, Manon, quelle sorte ?Okay, Manon, what kind?
- ManonUne pizza au fromage, s'il te plaît.A cheese pizza, please.
- LucasTrès bien, je la commande.Very well, I am ordering it.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries je, pizza, une, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
