voudrais
The French word voudrais means 'would like'.
It is used to express a wish or a polite request. In English, it translates to 'would like'.
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between the directness of different forms. While je veux means 'I want' and can sound blunt, je voudrais is the standard polite way to express a desire. Additionally, aimerais can be used as a synonym for voudrais to mean 'would like'.
How does it change in a sentence?
voudrais is the conditional form. When used as je voudrais, it means 'I would like'. If you are addressing someone using the second-person plural or formal form, you should use voudriez (you would like).
Did you know?
- While voudrais is used for requests, the root verb vouloir is famously used in the phrase vouloir dire, which means 'to mean' rather than 'to want'.
- When children are taught to be polite, they are often strictly corrected to replace je veux with je voudrais, as the latter is seen as the first step in learning French social etiquette.
- In a whimsical or romantic context, je voudrais can be used to start a daydream, similar to the English phrase 'I wish I could', though it remains grammatically a request for something.
Examples in context
- Je voudrais un café, s'il vous plaît.I would like a coffee, please.
- Je voudrais un verre d'eau, s'il te plaît.I would like a glass of water, please.
- Tu voudrais aller voir un film ce soir ?Would you like to go see a movie tonight?
- On voudrait visiter le musée demain.We would like to visit the museum tomorrow.
- J'voudrais une baguette, s'il vous plaît.I'd like a baguette, please.
- Je voudrais un croissant, s'il vous plaîtI would like a croissant, please
- Je voudrais partir en vacances demain.I would like to go on vacation tomorrow.
Example conversation
At a small restaurant, Gabriel is ordering for both of them.
- GabrielJe voudrais une carafe d'eau pour la table.I would like a pitcher of water for the table.
- LéaEt moi, je voudrais un verre de vin rouge.And I would like a glass of red wine.
- GabrielC'est une excellente idée, Léa.That is an excellent idea, Léa.
- LéaMerci, Gabriel.Thank you, Gabriel.
