Voulais (en. Wanted)

/vɛ.lɛ/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

verb

To express a desire, intention, or will in the past.

I wanted to go to the movies yesterday.

Je voulais aller au cinéma hier.

Indicates a request or an unfulfilled wish.

He wanted to visit Paris, but he couldn't.

Il voulait visiter Paris, mais il n'a pas pu.

Used to describe a past situation or wish.

We always wanted to play outside when we were kids.

Nous voulions toujours jouer à l'extérieur quand nous étions enfants.

Comes from the verb 'vouloir' from Latin 'velle'.

I meant to say

used to clarify a previous statement.

je voulais dire

I didn't want

expresses an undesired intention.

je ne voulais pas

what I meant to say

to introduce an explanation or clarification.

ce que je voulais dire

to want

To intend to do something.

vouloir

wish

A desire or aspiration.

souhait

desire

A need or intense want.

désir

I want to say something in a more relaxed way.

I wanted to go to the beach, you know.

Je voulais aller à la plage, tu sais.

Expressing an urgent desire in an informal conversation.

Frankly, I just wanted to tell you.

Franchement, je voulais juste te le dire.