velle
The English phrase "want" is translated into Latin as velle.
velle is an irregular verb meaning to desire. Because it is irregular, its forms do not follow the standard conjugation patterns of regular -re verbs. While velle is the standard way to express want, you might use other verbs for specific nuances: cupio is a more formal term that implies an intense or passionate desire and opto is a formal way to express a wish or a hoped-for outcome.
Meaning: to desire (verb)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb has several distinct forms: volui is the perfect tense (I wanted), volens is the present participle (wanting) and voles is the second-person singular future tense (you will want).
Did you know?
- While velle expresses desire, the Latin word for 'will' as in a legal testament is testamentum, because a legal will is a testimony of one's wishes.
- The Latin word voluntas, derived from velle, is the root of the English word 'voluntary' and 'benevolent', where 'bene' means 'well' and 'volens' means 'wishing'.
- The intense verb cupio is the ancestor of the English word 'covet', which carries a much more negative, greedy connotation than the simple 'want'.
Examples in context
- Dicisne te non velle?Do you say that you don't want it?This sentence shows how to use velle in a question regarding whether one wants something.Tatoeba #11170872 by carlosalberto, translation #11170855 by carlosalberto
- Putasne me emori velle?Do you think I want to die?This sentence uses velle to ask if someone thinks the speaker wants to die.Tatoeba #8889655 by alexmarcelo, translation #2012606 by CK
- Putasne me hoc facere velle?Do you think I want to do this?This sentence uses velle to ask if someone thinks the speaker wants to perform an action.Tatoeba #8452837 by alexmarcelo, translation #2014229 by CK
- Magister librum desiderat.The teacher wants a book.
- Pater maximum beneficium cupit.Father wants the greatest favor.
- Rex pacem optat.The king wants peace.
- Filia donum magnum vult.The daughter wants a big gift.
- Dux victoriam ardentissime cupit.The leader wants victory intensely.
- Domi canem volo.At home, I want a dog.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Lucius are deciding what to do for the afternoon.
- JuliaQuid hodie facere vis, Luci?What do you want to do today, Lucius?
- LuciusAd forum ire volo.I want to go to the forum.
- JuliaNon puto te id velle.I don't think you want that.
- LuciusImmo vero, id certe volo!Oh yes, I certainly want it!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
