nous voulons
In French, 'we want' is translated as nous voulons.
This phrase is used to express a desire or a need for something.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of the subject pronoun nous, meaning 'we' and voulons, which is the conjugated form of the verb vouloir.
Which one should you use?
While nous voulons is a standard way to express this, in spoken French, on veut is much more common to mean 'we want'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb vouloir is conjugated in the first-person plural present tense. If you use nous voulons followed by a clause describing an action that someone else should perform, you must follow it with que and use the subjunctive mood.
Did you know?
- The French word nous shares the same spelling as the Ancient Greek word νοῦς, which means 'mind'.
- In certain French dialects, you might hear a speaker use je instead of nous to mean 'we', such as saying je voyons for 'we see'.
- Historically, using the singular 'I' to mean 'we' was often mocked in French literature and plays, such as those by Molière, as being a sign of a peasant dialect.
Examples in context
- Nous voulons y aller.We want to go.This sentence shows how to use nous voulons to express a desire to go somewhere.Tatoeba #3253641 by sacredceltic, translation #1553334 by CK
- Nous voulons la paix.We want peace.This sentence uses nous voulons to express a desire for peace.Tatoeba #4767857 by Doremi391, translation #2011285 by CK
- Nous voulons un avocat.We want a lawyer.This sentence uses nous voulons to express a need for a lawyer.Tatoeba #1998103 by Amastan, translation #8592115 by shekitten
- Nous voulons aller au cinéma.We want to go to the cinema.
- Nous voulons acheter cette maison.We want to buy this house.
- Nous voulons visiter Paris pendant nos vacances.We want to visit Paris during our vacation.
- Nous désirons participer à la conférence.We want to participate in the conference.
- Nous désirons commander une grande quantité de produits.We want to order a large quantity of products.
- On veut sortir ce soir.We want to go out tonight.
- On veut manger une pizza.We want to eat pizza.
- On veut être heureux.We want to be happy.
- Nous voulons apprendre le français.We want to learn French.
- Nous voulons partir en vacances.We want to go on vacation.
- On veut acheter des cadeaux pour nos parents.We want to buy gifts for our parents.
- Nous désirons assister à la réunion.We want to attend the meeting.
- Nous voulons une grande maison avec un jardin.We want a big house with a garden.
- 229 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Nathan are at a restaurant looking at the menu.
- ManonQu'est-ce que vous voulez manger ?What do you want to eat?
- NathanNous voulons deux pizzas, s'il vous plaît.We want two pizzas, please.
- ManonC'est noté. Et pour boire ?Noted. And to drink?
- NathanNous voulons aussi une carafe d'eau.We also want a pitcher of water.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nous, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
