je veux savoir
The English phrase "I want to know" is translated into French as je veux savoir.
Meaning: I want to know (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of je (I), veux (want) and savoir (to know).
Which one should you use?
In French, there is a distinction between the types of knowledge you possess. While savoir is used for facts or information, connaître is used when you mean "to be acquainted with" a person, a place or a specific subject.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make a request much more polite, you can use the conditional je voudrais savoir (I would like to know). This is the standard way to ask for information in a social setting instead of using the indicative veux.
Did you know?
- The French word savoir shares a root with the English word 'sapient' and the Latin 'sapĕre', which originally meant 'to taste' or 'to have a flavor'.
- The distinction between savoir and connaître is so strict that savoir is used for knowing how to do something, such as je sais nager for 'I know how to swim'.
- The word savoir is the root of the French word savant, used to describe a person of great learning, similar to the English 'savant'.
Examples in context
- Je veux savoir pourquoi.I want to know why.Tatoeba #2437845 by sacredceltic, translation #2011420 by CK
- Je veux savoir où tu vis.I want to know where you live.Tatoeba #11071149 by Aiji, translation #2542629 by CK
- Je veux savoir qui tu es.I want to know who you are.Tatoeba #11882467 by Zahia_Ntmazirt, translation #1825294 by Amastan
- Pourrais-je avoir plus d'informations sur ce sujet? Je voudrais connaître tous les détails.Could I have more information on this subject? I would like to know all the details.
- 181 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma is asking Nathan about a surprise party.
- EmmaJe veux savoir quand commence la fête.I want to know when the party starts.
- NathanC'est une surprise, Emma !It's a surprise, Emma!
- EmmaMais je veux savoir pour m'habiller.But I want to know so I can get dressed.
- NathanJe te le dirai plus tard.I will tell you later.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “I want to know” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries je, savoir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
