je veux manger
In French, je veux manger is the way to say "I want to eat".
This phrase is used to express a desire for food. It is important to note the difference between expressing a desire to perform the action of eating with je veux manger and expressing the physical sensation of hunger, which is j'ai faim.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of je (I), veux (want) and manger (to eat).
How does it change in a sentence?
To make your request much more polite and follow standard etiquette in a restaurant or social setting, you should use the conditional form je voudrais manger (I would like to eat) instead of je veux manger.
Did you know?
- In French, the phrase manger sur le pouce literally means 'to eat on the thumb' and describes eating a quick snack or fast food while standing up.
- If you are very hungry and want to say 'I want to eat' more intensely, you might use the expression j'ai une faim de loup, which means 'I have the hunger of a wolf'.
- The word manger comes from the Late Latin manducāre, which specifically meant to 'chew' or 'devour'.
Examples in context
- Je veux manger ça.I want to eat this.This sentence is useful for specifying a particular object you want to eat.Tatoeba #7669365 by tras, translation #5152930 by CarpeLanam
- Je veux manger un truc.I want to eat something.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to eat something unspecified.Tatoeba #3866918 by gillux, translation #256362 by CK
- Je veux manger du steak.I want to eat steak.This sentence is useful for naming a specific type of food you want to eat.Tatoeba #3866919 by gillux, translation #1869545 by Spamster
- Excusez-moi, je souhaite manger. Auriez-vous une table de libre, s'il vous plaît?Excuse me, I want to eat. Do you have a free table, please?
- Tu veux sortir dîner ce soir? J'ai envie de manger quelque chose de délicieux.Do you want to go out for dinner tonight? I feel like eating something delicious.
- 32 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are walking in the city and feel hungry.
- EmmaJe veux manger quelque chose.I want to eat something.
- GabrielMoi aussi, j'ai très faim.Me too, I am very hungry.
- EmmaOn cherche un restaurant ?Shall we look for a restaurant?
- GabrielOui, bonne idée Emma.Yes, good idea Emma.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries je, manger, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
