je voudrais acheter
In French, "I would like to buy" is expressed as je voudrais acheter.
This phrase is a polite way to express your desire to purchase something. It is commonly used in shops, markets or boutiques to initiate a transaction with a clerk.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of je (I), voudrais (would like) and acheter (to buy).
Which one should you use?
While je veux acheter means "I want to buy", it can sound blunt or demanding. Je voudrais acheter is a more polite and appropriate choice for customer service situations.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb voudrais is in the conditional mood, which provides the politeness required for making requests.
Did you know?
- When using je voudrais acheter in a market, it is customary to preface the entire sentence with Bonjour, monsieur/madame. Starting directly with your desire to buy without a greeting is often considered quite impolite in France.
- The word acheter is a doublet of accepter, as both evolved from the Latin word acceptāre meaning 'to take' or 'to receive'.
- Using the conditional form voudrais creates a 'social distance' that lets a seller say an item is unavailable without the buyer feeling rejected.
Examples in context
- Je voudrais acheter des cartes postales.I would like to buy some postcards.This sentence is useful for showing how to use je voudrais acheter to buy postcards.Tatoeba #8703668 by Julien_PDC, translation #880517 by CK
- Je voudrais acheter une boisson.I would like to buy a drink.This sentence is useful for showing how to use je voudrais acheter to buy a drink.Tatoeba #6457912 by Eccles17, translation #6457892 by Eccles17
- Je voudrais acheter cette robe, s'il vous plaît.I would like to buy this dress, please.
- J'aimerais acheter ces fleurs pour ma mère.I would like to buy these flowers for my mother.
Example conversation
Manon and Hugo are at a bookstore.
- ManonBonjour, je voudrais acheter ce livre.Hello, I would like to buy this book.
- HugoBien sûr, Manon. C'est un excellent choix.Of course, Manon. It is an excellent choice.
- ManonMerci, Hugo. Combien ça coûte ?Thank you, Hugo. How much does it cost?
- HugoCela fait dix euros, s'il vous plaît.That is ten euros, please.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries acheter, je, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
