Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| volere | /voˈle.re/ |
| desiderare | /de.zi.deˈra.re/ /de.si.deˈra.re/ |
The verb is used to express a wish for an outcome. While volere is the standard everyday verb for 'to want' or 'to wish', the verb Sperare (to hope) is often used interchangeably with 'wishing' in Italian. Related nouns used to express a desire include desiderio and voglia.
Which one should you use?
volere is the common, everyday way to say 'to want' or 'to wish'. In contrast, desiderare is more formal and conveys a stronger sense of longing or deep desire.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing a wish for an action to occur, Italian typically uses volere followed by the subjunctive mood. The noun voglia is often used in idiomatic expressions to express a sudden wish or craving.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of volere is /voˈle.re/. It has three syllables and the stress is on the second syllable.
When do people say it?
To wish someone good luck, Italians use the phrase In bocca al lupo, which literally translates to 'in the mouth of the wolf'. The common response to this is crepi il lupo, meaning 'may the wolf drop dead'. For heartfelt well-wishes, you can use Auguri di cuore. For birthdays, you might say Tanti auguri di buon compleanno, amico mio! to mean 'Many birthday wishes, my friend!' You can also use Auguri di cuore to express warm wishes for a specific event, such as a new job.
Did you know?
- The verb desiderare comes from the Latin desiderare, which originally meant to miss or feel the absence of a star.
- When you wish someone luck with In bocca al lupo, responding with a blessing or thanks is actually considered bad luck. Instead, you should reply with crepi il lupo to show you are wishing the wolf dead.
- In Italian, the word auguri is used for both 'birthday wishes' and 'congratulations', making it a versatile social tool for almost any celebration.
Examples in context
- Non desiderare quello che hanno gli altri.Don't wish for what others have.This sentence is useful for practicing the verb desiderare.Tatoeba #3861795 by Guybrush88, translation #3169853 by celeriac
Example conversation
Martina and Alessandro are talking about their future plans.
- MartinaCosa vorresti fare l'anno prossimo?What would you wish to do next year?
- AlessandroVorrei volere un nuovo lavoro in città.I would wish for a new job in the city.
- MartinaSpero che tu possa ottenere ciò che vuoi.I hope you can get what you want.
- AlessandroGrazie, Martina, lo spero anch'io.Thanks, Martina, I hope so too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wish” translations and entries volere, desiderare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries desiderare, volere, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
