Je voudrais vs je veux | French Grammar | Kwiziq French (2024)

In French, you canuse"je voudrais" and "je veux" to say that you want something. There is still a difference as to which to use.

When to use'je voudrais'and 'je veux' in French

Look at these examples:

Je veuxune glace !I want an ice cream!

Je voudraisun coca, s'il te plaît.I would like a co*ke, please.

Je veuxun câlin.I want a hug.

Je voudraisun câlin.I would like a hug.

Note that to ask for something in French, you could use two forms of the verb vouloir:
je veux(I want) or je voudrais(I would want/like)

Je voudraisis preferable in social contexts such as in a restaurant, as it is more polite and subtle than the blunt je veux(just like in English).

[Note that j'aimerais(I would like) is also very commonly used inmore polite contexts.]

Grammar point: Je veuxis in Le Présenttense (I want), whereas je voudraisis in Le Conditionnel(I would want/like).

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Learn more about these related French grammar topics

Examples and resources

Jeneveuxpas dormir!I don't want to sleep!

Je veuxun câlin.I want a hug.

Je voudraisun câlin.I would like a hug.

Bonjour,je voudraisun coca, s'il vous plaît.Hello, I would like a co*ke, please.

Je voudraisun coca, s'il te plaît.I would like a co*ke, please.

Je veuxune glace !I want an ice cream!

Je voudrais vs je veux | French Grammar | Kwiziq French (2024)
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