je voudrais
In French, 'I would like' is expressed as je voudrais.
The phrase is used as a polite way to express a wish or to request something. It is the standard way to order food or drinks in a restaurant to remain polite to the staff.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the subject je (I) and the conditional form of the verb vouloir (to want).
Which one should you use?
While je voudrais is a polite way to express a wish, the phrase je veux means 'I want' and is a direct, often blunt way of speaking that can sound rude in many social situations.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb voudrais is in the conditional mood, which provides the politeness required for the English 'would like'. When followed by an action, je voudrais is followed directly by the infinitive form of the next verb, such as je voudrais manger (I would like to eat).
When do people say it?
In French dining culture, using Je voudrais… is the standard way to order items to ensure you are being polite to the restaurant staff.
Did you know?
- The verb vouloir is used in the phrase vouloir dire, which literally means 'to want to say' but actually means 'to mean'.
- In some regions, people use the phrase je voudrais bien to express a wish that they know is unlikely to happen, similar to 'I wish I could'.
- In certain very formal French service contexts, a customer might avoid the verb 'to want' entirely and use the phrase Je prendrai… (I will take), which sounds slightly less demanding than expressing a personal wish.
Examples in context
- Je voudrais le voir.I would like to see it.This sentence is useful for practicing how to use je voudrais with a direct object.Tatoeba #15152 by sacredceltic, translation #41846 by CK
- Je voudrais aller nager.I would like to go for a swim.This sentence shows how to use je voudrais followed by an infinitive to express an intended action.Tatoeba #9857 by dafp, translation #487886 by CC
- Je voudrais te féliciter.I would like to congratulate you.This sentence demonstrates using je voudrais to express a social intention.Tatoeba #10476519 by Julien_PDC, translation #11014214 by tjwhale
- Je voudrais une tasse de caféI would like a cup of coffee
- Je voudrais le livreI would like the book
- Je voudrais la robeI would like the dress
- Je souhaiterais un verre d'eauI would like a glass of water
- J'aimerais une glaceI would like an ice cream
- J'aimerais le théI would like the tea
- Je désire une bièreI would like a beer
- 136 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Léa are at a local bakery.
- GabrielBonjour, je voudrais un croissant, s'il vous plaît.Hello, I would like a croissant, please.
- LéaBien sûr, et pour madame ?Of course, and for the lady?
- GabrielElle voudrait un pain au chocolat.She would like a chocolate pastry.
- LéaTrès bien, ce sera tout ?Very well, will that be all?
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
very informative, many thanks, it helped me in an instant to nuance those phrases a bit more…. keep up your great work, Glen…