How do you say "I wanted" in French?

"I wanted" in French is "Je voulais". This phrase is commonly used in France.

🙋

How to Say ‘I wanted’ in French

Q: What does "Je voulais" mean in English?

"Je voulais" means "I wanted" in English. Usage tip: Imperfect tense of vouloir. It often softens what you say, a bit like "I was wanting to…" = more polite than direct speech.

Je voulais

zhuh voo-LEH

[zhuh voo-LEH]

💬 Usage Tip: Imperfect tense of vouloir. It often softens what you say, a bit like "I was wanting to…" = more polite than direct speech.

🇫🇷 In France: French often uses softer phrasing in formal conversations to sound tactful and respectful.

Phrase Breakdown

[zhuh]

The subject pronoun for 'I.'

Example

Je voulais vous parler un instant.

I wanted to speak to you for a moment.

voulais

[voo-LEH]

wanted

Imperfect form of 'vouloir,' meaning 'wanted' or politely 'would like.'

Example

Je voulais poser une question.

I wanted to ask a question.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Custom Scenarios

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Get Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Moved to Lyon for a culinary apprenticeship. The food and restaurant scenarios were exactly what I needed — my French colleagues were genuinely impressed.”

Tom H., 38, Chef

“Studying in Paris and the academic French I learned in school was useless for daily life. This app filled the gap in weeks, not months.”

Nina W., 29, Graduate Student

“Learning a language has never been as immediately impactful. Now I can charm the locals and navigate the food scene like a boss.”

Alex M., 42, Software Engineer