Je voudrais vs je veux
Asking politely
Both mean wanting something, but je veux (I want) can sound blunt, while je voudrais (I would like) is polite. In shops, cafés and restaurants, use je voudrais.
Je voudrais: polite requests
- Je voudrais un croissant, s'il vous plaît.I'd like a croissant, please.
- Je voudrais réserver une table pour deux.I'd like to book a table for two.
- Nous voudrions l'addition.We'd like the bill.
Voudrais is the conditional of vouloir, the same "would" as in English. You'll study it in Present conditional, but learn je voudrais now as a fixed phrase.
Je veux: direct wants
Je veux is fine for strong wishes, plans, or with people you know well:
- Je veux apprendre le français.I want to learn French.
- Tu veux un café ?Do you want a coffee?
- Je ne veux pas partir !I don't want to leave!
Said to a waiter, Je veux un café sounds like an order, a bit like "Give me a coffee."
Other polite options
- J'aimerais un thé.I'd like a tea.
- Je vais prendre le menu du jour.I'll have the set menu.
- Est-ce que je pourrais avoir de l'eau ?Could I have some water?
Both vouloir forms can be followed by a noun or an infinitive.
Practice
- At a bakery, politely: « _____ une baguette, s'il vous plaît. »Options: Je voudrais · Je veux
Show the answer
Je voudrais
- I would like to pay.Options: Je voudrais payer. · Je voudrais paye. · Je veux payer.
Show the answer
Je voudrais payer.
- Je _____ un verre d'eau, s'il vous plaît.
Show the answer
voudrais
- Which is more polite?Options: Je voudrais un thé. · Je veux un thé.
Show the answer
Je voudrais un thé.
In the app, this lesson is taught one idea at a time with the examples read aloud, followed by questions that explain the rule when you get one wrong. It then comes back for review on later days until you've mastered it.