wenn auch
/vɛn aʊ̯x/word by word
The English phrase "I wish" can be translated into German as wenn auch or wenn doch nur.
Meaning: I would very much like that to be so (phrase)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| wenn auch | /vɛn aʊ̯x/ (word by word) |
| wenn doch nur | /vɛn dɔ nuːɐ̯/ (word by word) |
While wenn auch is listed as a translation for "I wish", in standard German it is most commonly used to mean "even if" or "although". To express a wistful "I wish!" as an exclamation, Germans often use Ach, wenn doch nur! or Wenn doch nur! Ich würde gerne means 'I would like to.'
How do you pronounce it?
/vɛn aʊ̯x/
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Ich würde mir wünschen, dass wir öfter Zeit zusammen verbringen.I wish we would spend more time together.
Example conversation
Lukas and Sarah are looking at an expensive car.
- LukasDas Auto ist wirklich wunderschön.That car is really beautiful.
- SarahJa, wenn auch ich es mir leisten könnte!Yes, I wish I could afford it!
- LukasVielleicht sparen wir einfach zusammen.Maybe we just save up together.
- SarahDas wäre eine tolle Idee, Lukas.That would be a great idea, Lukas.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “I wish” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (wenn, auch, doch, nur) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries auch, doch, nur, wenn, CC BY-SA 4.0.
