French · Food & Drink
"I'd like…" in French: je voudrais…
je voudrais…
I'd like in French is je voudrais… — conditional of vouloir. Finish with what you want: je voudrais un café. Softer than je veux.
Café counter
Je voudrais un espresso, s'il vous plaît.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce je voudrais…
Say it
zhuh voo-DRAY
/ʒə vu.dʁɛ/
Je: zhuh. Voudrais: voo-DRAY. Ellipsis marks that an object follows. Clear ay ending.
"I'd like…" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| je voudrais… | I'd like… Default polite request. | Default polite request. |
| je voudrais un café | I'd like a coffee Café order. | Café order. |
| je voudrais réserver | I'd like to book Booking opener. | Booking opener. |
| nous voudrions / on voudrait | we'd like Group orders (on voudrait is more natural). | Group orders (on voudrait is more natural). |
How to use je voudrais… in real life
- 1Café counter
Je voudrais un espresso, s'il vous plaît.
I'd like an espresso, please.
Classic order.
- 2Boutique
Je voudrais essayer cette robe.
I'd like to try on this dress.
Je voudrais + infinitive.
- 3Hotel desk
Je voudrais une chambre tranquille.
I'd like a quiet room.
Preference.
Mistakes English speakers make with je voudrais…
Incorrect: Je voudrais… (and stop forever).
Correct: Je voudrais un thé.
Complete the ellipsis with what you want.
Incorrect: Je want un pain.
Correct: Je voudrais un pain.
Use je voudrais, not English want.
Good to know
Je voudrais is the default polite customer voice in France. Je veux can sound blunt with strangers. Staff answer with voilà or another question about size or options.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Ordering lunch
ChatPal
Tu sais déjà ?
Do you know already?
You
Je voudrais la salade niçoise.
I'd like the salade niçoise.
ChatPal
Moi, je voudrais le plat du jour.
I'd like the dish of the day.
You
Parfait, on commande.
Perfect, let's order.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"I'd like…" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "I'd like…" in French
How do you say I'd like in French?
Je voudrais…
Is je veux rude?
With strangers it can sound sharp; prefer je voudrais.
Can it take an infinitive?
Yes: je voudrais parler au responsable.
How do you pronounce voudrais?
voo-DRAY.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
Keep reading
- Ordering Food in French: Essential Phrases for 2026Ordering food in french - Learn how to confidently order food in French with real-life phrases and tips for 2026 travelers
- 10 Best French Speaking Practice Apps for 2026Find the best French speaking practice app to build fluency. We review 10 top tools like ChatPal for conversation, travel prep, and building confidence in 2026.
