Polite je voudrais
je voudrais
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je voudrais
voudrais / aimerais is a polite want: Je voudrais un café. On pourrait avoir l'addition. It is softer than je veux.
Examples in context
Read the examples and compare their English meanings.
Ordering Food and Drinks
Softer and politer than using veux.
Je voudrais un café, s'il vous plaît.
I would like a coffee, please.
Making Polite Requests
Use this for asking services nicely.
Je voudrais réserver une table pour deux.
I would like to reserve a table for two.
Common mix-ups
Je voudrais is a polite way to request a coffee. Je veux is grammatical but states what you want more directly.
I would like a coffee.
Try a reply
Say or write your answer in French before opening the example.
Politely ask for a glass of water.
Show one possible answer
Je voudrais un verre d'eau, s'il vous plaît.
Other wording can work too. Compare the verb form, agreement, and word order with the lesson. Then try a sentence about your own day.
Keep practicing
Related grammar
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