vouloir

Senses

1. 1.

   to want

   to desire or wish for something

2. 2.

   to be willing; to agree

   to consent or agree to do something

3. 3.

   to intend; to mean

   to have the purpose or intention of

4. 4.

   to require; to demand

   to need or expect something as a condition

Examples

• "Je veux aller au cinéma ce soir."

  I want to go to the cinema tonight.

• "Tu veux bien m'aider ?"

  Would you be willing to help me?

• "Qu'est-ce que tu veux dire ?"

  What do you mean?

Usage

Vouloir is one of the most common modal verbs in French. The conditional form "je voudrais" is more polite than "je veux" when making requests. Note the construction "vouloir bien" (to be willing/happy to); "vouloir dire" (to mean); and "en vouloir à quelqu'un" (to bear a grudge against someone).