How to Say "Wouldn't" in French

ne voudrais pas

The English phrase "wouldn't" is translated into French as ne voudrais pas.

The conditional negative form of the verb 'will' used to express a lack of desire or willingness.

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Before pas became the standard, French speakers used other nouns to negate verbs, such as goutte for 'drop' or mie for 'crumb'.
In casual spoken French, the ne in ne voudrais pas is almost always dropped, leaving only voudrais pas.
The verb vouloir in ne voudrais pas shares the same root as the English word 'volunteer'.

Je ne voudrais pas être juge.
I wouldn't want to be a judge.
This sentence is useful for expressing a lack of desire to hold a certain profession using ne voudrais pas.
Tatoeba #965708 by sacredceltic, translation #962049 by CM
Je ne voudrais pas rater la fête.
I wouldn't want to miss the party.
This sentence is useful for expressing a lack of desire to miss an event using ne voudrais pas.
Tatoeba #5945517 by Aiji, translation #3821601 by CK
Je ne voudrais pas prendre ce risque.
I wouldn't want to take that risk.
This sentence is useful for expressing a lack of willingness to take a risk using ne voudrais pas.
Tatoeba #7124868 by Aiji, translation #2540604 by CK
Elle ne voudrait pas venir à la fête ce soir.
She wouldn't want to come to the party tonight.
Il ne souhaiterait pas vous déranger.
He wouldn't wish to bother you.
Le président ne ferait pas cela.
The president wouldn't do that.
Ils ne feraient pas ça.
They wouldn't do that.
24 more sentences on Tatoeba

Manon and Hugo are discussing a potential job offer.

Manon

Est-ce que tu veux ce nouveau poste ?
Do you want this new job?
Hugo

Non, je ne voudrais pas déménager à Lyon.
No, I wouldn't want to move to Lyon.
Manon

C'est dommage pour toi, Hugo.
That is a shame for you, Hugo.
Hugo

Oui, mais je préfère rester ici.
Yes, but I prefer to stay here.

Sources

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