French Conversation · Level 21
89 words
French word
désirer
Pronunciation
IPA/deziʁe/
Meaning
- verbwant
Example
Elle désire une nouvelle robe.
She wants a new dress.
More examples
Elle désire voyager cet été.
She wants to travel this summer.
Core concept
A steady inner pull toward obtaining something or carrying out an action.
Common phrases
désirer quelque chose
want something
désirer faire quelque chose
want to do something
Similar words
vouloir: To clearly want something and express a firm intention to have it.
souhaiter: To gently express a wish for something to come true.
Definition in French
Avoir le désir d'obtenir ou de faire quelque chose; aspirer à une chose ou à une action.
Word origin
French désirer comes from Latin desiderare through Old French desirer, retaining the sense of longing for something.
Usage tips
- Désirer is generally more formal and often stronger than vouloir, while souhaiter commonly expresses a polite or less immediate wish.