Voulait-il (en. He wanted)

/vulwa il/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

verb

indicates a request or wish in the past.

Did he really want to leave without warning us?

Voulait-il vraiment partir sans nous prévenir ?

expresses a past intention.

He wanted to help, but he couldn't.

Il voulant-il aider, mais il n'a pas pu.

indicates uncertainty about a past desire.

Did he want to go out or stay at home?

Voulait-il sortir ou rester chez lui ?

Comes from the French verb 'vouloir' and the interrogative construction.

did he mean

expresses a question about the meaning of something.

voulait-il dire

if I wanted

expresses a hypothetical wish.

si je voulais

did she really want

questions the sincerity of a desire.

voulait-elle vraiment

to want

verb expressing desire.

vouloir

to desire

shows an intense wish.

désirer

intention

a goal or plan for the future.

intention

to express impatience to know what the other wanted.

When he said 'did he really want', it was to stir up the discussion.

Quand il a dit 'voulait-il vraiment', c'était pour relancer la discussion.

to imply a hidden desire.

She asked me if I wanted to leave, but in fact, did he want us to stay.

Elle m'a demandé si je voulais partir, mais en fait, voulait-il qu'on reste.