je veux aller à Paris
In French, je veux aller à Paris is the way to say "I want to go to paris".
This phrase is used to express a desire to travel to the city of Paris.
Which one should you use?
While je veux aller à Paris is the standard way to express this desire, other forms change the nuance and level of formality. For instance, J'ai envie d'aller à Paris is an informal phrase meaning I feel like going to Paris, whereas Je souhaite aller à Paris or J'aimerais me rendre à Paris are formal ways to express a wish or desire to travel.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, the verb vouloir (to want) is conjugated in the first-person singular present tense as veux. Because it is followed by another verb, the second verb aller (to go) stays in its infinitive form. The preposition à is used before the city name Paris to indicate the destination.
Did you know?
- The phrase la Ville Lumière or 'the City of Light' refers to Paris not just because of its romantic atmosphere, but because it was one of the first cities in Europe to install street lighting.
- While the destination is Paris, the city was originally known to the Romans as Lūtētia, a name that disappeared as the influence of the Parisii tribe grew.
- If you use je veux aller à Paris to ask for a favor or make a polite request, you might come across as quite blunt or even demanding to a native speaker.
Examples in context
- Je veux aller à Paris.I want to go to Paris.This example shows the use of je veux aller à Paris.Tatoeba #7960202 by Micsmithel, translation #4872600 by Gulo_Luscus
- Où aimeriez-vous passer vos prochaines vacances? Je souhaite aller à Paris. J'entends tellement de merveilles sur cette ville.Where would you like to spend your next vacation? I wish to go to Paris. I hear so many wonderful things about the city.
- Qu'est-ce que tu aimerais faire cet été? J'ai envie d'aller à Paris ! Je veux voir la Tour Eiffel de mes propres yeux.What would you like to do this summer? I feel like going to Paris! I want to see the Eiffel Tower with my own eyes.
- Je veux aller à Paris cet été.I want to go to Paris this summer.
- Est-ce que tu sais que je veux aller à Paris ?Do you know that I want to go to Paris?
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their holiday plans.
- ManonJe veux aller à Paris pour les vacances.I want to go to Paris for the holidays.
- LucasC'est une excellente idée, Manon.That is an excellent idea, Manon.
- ManonTu veux venir avec moi, Lucas ?Do you want to come with me, Lucas?
- LucasOui, j'adorerais faire ce voyage avec toi.Yes, I would love to take this trip with you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Paris, aller, je, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
