verb

vouloir

want

C’est quand on désire avoir ou faire quelque chose.

Definition & meaning

The verb vouloir is one of the most fundamental verbs in the French language. It translates to "to want," "to wish," or "to desire." Depending on the context, it can have several nuances:

Desire or intent: To express a wish or a preference for something (e.g., Je veux une pomme – I want an apple).
Willpower or determination: To possess the intent to do something (e.g., Il veut réussir – He wants to succeed).
Requirement: In certain constructions, it can imply necessity (e.g., La situation veut que... – The situation requires that...).
Polite requests: When used in the conditional mood (voudrais), it serves as a polite way to ask for something (e.g., Je voudrais un café – I would like a coffee).
Meaning/Significance: It can also be used to explain what something means (e.g., Que veut dire ce mot ? – What does this word mean?).

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar:

Verb type: Irregular third-group verb (verbe du troisième groupe).
Conjugation: It is highly irregular. Its stem changes frequently depending on the tense and mood (e.g., je veux, nous voulons, ils veulent, je voudrai).
Common construction: It is frequently followed by an infinitive verb (vouloir faire quelque chose) or a direct object noun.

Word origin:

The word originates from the Latin verb volere, which is the infinitive form of velle (to wish, to be willing). It has remained the standard way to express will and desire throughout the evolution of the French language.