je veux ça
The English phrase 'I want this' is expressed in French as je veux ça.
This phrase is used to express a desire to obtain or possess a specific object.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of je (I), veux (want) and ça (that/this).
Which one should you use?
While je veux ça is the standard way to say 'I want this' in daily speech, je veux ceci is a more formal version used in writing or very precise contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
Using the conditional je voudrais instead of the indicative je veux is much more polite and is the standard way to express a desire when ordering or requesting something from a person, such as in je voudrais ça ('I would like that').
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using je veux ce to mean 'I want this'. English speakers often mistakenly use ce instead of ça or ceci when trying to use 'this' as a standalone pronoun.
Did you know?
- French uses the word ça to translate the psychological concept of the 'id' from Sigmund Freud's theories.
- The word veux comes from the verb vouloir, which is also the root of the English word 'volunteer'.
- The word ça is a shortened version of cela, which was created by combining ce with là meaning 'there'.
Examples in context
- Je veux ça et ça.I want this and this.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase je veux ça.Tatoeba #6591408 by GB3, translation #6589794 by Eccles17
- Je veux ça, s'il vous plaît.I want this, please.
- Est-ce que je peux l'avoir ? Je veux ça.Can I have it? I want this.
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma are shopping for a gift.
- NathanRegarde ce livre, Emma.Look at this book, Emma.
- EmmaOh, je veux ça !Oh, I want this!
- NathanC'est un bon choix.It is a good choice.
- EmmaMerci, Nathan.Thank you, Nathan.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries je, ça, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
