j'aimerais pouvoir
The English phrase "I wish I could" is expressed in French as j'aimerais pouvoir.
This phrase is used to express a desire to be able to do something that is currently impossible.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is literally composed of je (I), aimerais (would like) and pouvoir (to be able to).
Which one should you use?
While j'aimerais pouvoir expresses a wish or a longing, je voudrais pouvoir is slightly more direct and expresses a specific want or intention.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb aimerais is in the conditional mood, which is used here to express a hypothetical desire or wish.
Did you know?
- The word 'power' in English and pouvoir in French are distant cousins that share a common ancestor rooted in the concept of being able to act.
- If you want to say 'I can' in the present tense, you might use the irregular form je puis in very formal writing or questions, rather than the standard je peux.
- In French, the concept of 'ability' is expressed by pouvoir, but this word can also function as a noun meaning 'power' or 'authority' in a political sense.
Examples in context
- J'aimerais pouvoir te voir.I wish I could see you.This sentence is useful for expressing a wish to see someone using j'aimerais pouvoir.Tatoeba #2397701 by sacredceltic, translation #2396162 by CK
- J'aimerais pouvoir te croire.I wish I could believe you.This sentence is useful for expressing a wish to believe someone using j'aimerais pouvoir.Tatoeba #3079280 by sacredceltic, translation #2544358 by CK
- J'aimerais pouvoir en parler.I wish I could talk about it.This sentence is useful for expressing a wish to talk about something using j'aimerais pouvoir.Tatoeba #7291137 by Aiji, translation #2543167 by CK
- Je souhaiterais pouvoir parler français courammentI wish I could speak French fluently
- J'aimerais bien pouvoir te rencontrerI would like to be able to meet you
- Si seulement je pouvais changer le passéIf only I could change the past
- Je voudrais pouvoir venir à la fête ce soirI would like to be able to come to the party tonight
- Si seulement je pouvais prendre des vacancesIf only I could take a vacation
- J'aimerais trop pouvoir t'accompagnerI would really like to be able to accompany you
- J'aimerais bien pouvoir nager comme un dauphinI would like to be able to swim like a dolphin
- Si seulement je pouvais visiter Paris un jourIf only I could visit Paris one day
- Je voudrais pouvoir jouer de la guitareI would like to be able to play the guitar
- J'aimerais trop pouvoir assister à ton concertI would really like to be able to attend your concert
- 73 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Nathan are looking at a travel brochure.
- ManonJ'aimerais pouvoir voyager au Japon cet été.I wish I could travel to Japan this summer.
- NathanPourquoi ? Tu n'as pas de vacances ?Why? Don't you have any vacation time?
- ManonSi, mais je n'ai pas assez d'argent.I do, but I don't have enough money.
- NathanC'est dommage, Nathan peut t'aider à économiser.That's a shame, Nathan can help you save up.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
