je voudrais un verre de vin
In French, je voudrais un verre de vin is the way to say "I would like a glass of wine".
This phrase is a polite way to request a serving of wine from a server or a host.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of je (I), voudrais (would like), un (a), verre (glass), de (of) and vin (wine).
Which one should you use?
Using je veux un verre de vin (the present indicative) instead of je voudrais un verre de vin (the conditional) sounds demanding and impolite to French speakers.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Using the conditional voudrais is the standard polite way to order in a restaurant or cafe.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word voudrais is the conditional form of the verb vouloir (to want), which makes the request polite.
Did you know?
- If you are at a casual gathering, a host might offer you a pousse-café, which is a small glass of liqueur served after the coffee to 'push' the coffee down.
- Ordering un verre de vin may lead to a discussion about 'terroir', a French concept that has no single English word but describes how the specific soil and climate affect the taste of the wine.
- The French word verre for 'glass' is a doublet of vitre, which means 'window pane'. Both words share the same Latin root vitrum but evolved differently in French.
Examples in context
- Je voudrais un verre de vin, s'il vous plaît.I would like a glass of wine, please.
- Pourrais-je avoir un verre de vin, s'il vous plaît?Could I have a glass of wine, please?
- Pour le dîner, je voudrais un verre de vin blanc.For dinner, I would like a glass of white wine.
Example conversation
At a restaurant, Chloé is ordering from Nathan, her waiter.
- ChloéJe voudrais un verre de vin, s'il vous plaît.I would like a glass of wine, please.
- NathanBien sûr, quel type préférez-vous ?Of course, which type do you prefer?
- ChloéUn vin rouge, si possible.A red wine, if possible.
- NathanTrès bien, je vous apporte ça tout de suite.Very well, I will bring that to you right away.
