French word

souhaiter

Pronunciation

IPA/swete/

Meaning

  • verbwish

Example

Je te souhaite un bon anniversaire.

I wish you a happy birthday.

Illustration for souhaiter (wish)

More examples

Je te souhaite un bon rétablissement.

I wish you a speedy recovery.

Core concept

A desired future directed toward a person in words.

Common phrases

  • souhaiter bonne santé

    wish ___ good health

  • souhaiter du succès

    wish ___ success

  • souhaiter un bon rétablissement

    wish ___ a speedy recovery

Similar words

espérer: Expect and want something to happen in the future.
désirer: Have a strong desire to obtain something.
vouloir: Strongly want to obtain something or have someone do something.
féliciter: Congratulate someone on a success or important event.

Definition in French

Dire qu'on veut ou espère quelque chose pour l'avenir, par exemple par Je te souhaite... ou par souhaiter que + subjonctif.

Word origin

The verb souhaiter is formed from the French noun souhait by adding the verb-forming ending -er.

Usage tips

  • After souhaiter que, standard French uses the subjunctive, as in Je souhaite qu'il vienne.

Other meanings

  • desireverb
  • hopeverb

Related words

Word lists with this word