Which one should you use?
While je veux translates to "I want", you can use other phrases depending on your intent and level of politeness. Je souhaite means "I wish", J'aimerais means "I would like" and Je désire means "I desire". In more casual settings, you might use J'ai envie de, which means "I feel like".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In many social situations, such as ordering in a restaurant, the polite form je voudrais (I would like) is preferred to avoid sounding demanding. For formal expressions, you can use Je souhaite, J'aimerais or Je désire. Conversely, J'ai envie de is an informal way to say "I feel like".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase je veux translates to "I want" and is followed directly by either a noun or an infinitive verb to express "I want to".
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly add a preposition like à or de after je veux before an infinitive. In French, the infinitive follows directly. For example, you should say je veux manger rather than je veux à manger.
Did you know?
- The verb vouloir in je veux shares a root with the English word 'volunteer', which describes someone who 'wants' to offer their services.
- To express a very strong or stubborn 'I want', French speakers might use the phrase je tiens à, which literally means 'I hold to'. This suggests the desire is a matter of principle.
- In very informal spoken French, the e in je is often dropped when followed by veux, making it sound like j'veux.
Examples in context
- Je veux un ami.I want to have a friend.Tatoeba #8703781 by Julien_PDC, translation #3642249 by MTC
- Je veux te voir.I want to see you.Tatoeba #6614 by sysko, translation #257078 by CK
- Je veux la voir.I want to see her.Tatoeba #1883817 by sacredceltic, translation #1883060 by Spamster
- Je souhaite prendre rendez-vous avec M. Dupont.I wish to make an appointment with Mr. Dupont.
- Je désire participer à la conférence.I desire to attend the conference.
- Je veux sortir ce soir.I want to go out tonight.
- J'ai envie de manger une glace.I feel like eating an ice cream.
- Je veux partir en vacances pour me détendre.I want to go on vacation to relax.
- Je veux visiter Paris et goûter la cuisine française.I want to visit Paris and taste French cuisine.
- 2110 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- GabrielJe veux manger une pizza ce soir.I want to eat a pizza tonight.
- EmmaC'est une bonne idée, Gabriel.That is a good idea, Gabriel.
- GabrielJe veux commander une grande pizza.I want to order a large pizza.
- EmmaD'accord, je m'occupe de tout.Okay, I will take care of everything.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
