There are several interesting things you need to know about the verb vouloir. Let's take a look at them.
French
English
Je veux rentrer à la maison.
I want to go home.
Usage in the Sentence
Rule 1: The verb vouloir means "to want" and is used to express a requirement or wish. It can be followed by an object or an infinitive.
French
English
Nous voulons acheter cette voiture.
We want to buy this car.
Il veut une glace.
He wants an ice cream.
Make it More Formal
Rule 2: You can place the verb vouloir in the conditional mood to achieve a more polite form:
French
English
Il voudrait une glace.
He would like an ice cream.
Rule 3: Or put it into the imperative in the subjunctive mood to express a polite command:
French
English
Veuillez fermer la fenêtre.
Would you shut the window?
Please note here that vouloir in the polite form is used pretty commonly by the French people. They can utilize it, for example, to extend an offer or an invitation.
If someone invites you to do something using the verb vouloir, remember to respond in the same subtle way. For example, you can say "Oui, je veux bien" (Yes, I would like to) or "Je voudrais bien, mais je ne peux pas" (I would like to but I can't).
French
English
Est-ce que tu veux dîner avec moi ? - Oui, je veux bien.
Would you like to have dinner with me? - Yes, I'd love to (I would).
Conjugation
Rule 4: The verb vouloir is a common French verb, but it is irregular. Here's how it is conjugated in the present:
| je | veux |
| tu | veux |
| il, elle, on | veut |
| nous | voulons |
| vous | voulez |
| ils, elles | veulent |
| je | veux |
| tu | veux |
| il, elle, on | veut |
| nous | voulons |
| vous | voulez |
| ils, elles | veulent |
Quiz
1/3
Je _ le faire.
0
correct answers.