Dictionary / French / I would like
How to Say "I would like" in French
Je voudrais
/ʒə vudʁɛ/
Literally: I would want
Je
I
voudrais
would want
Good to know
When ordering, je vais prendre (I'll have) is also very common: je vais prendre un café. Add s'il vous plaît either way. Watch the spelling of j'aimerais, I would like. Without the s, j'aimerai means I will like. They sound very close, so the difference shows in writing.
Correct
Je voudrais
What people say wrong
Je veux
I want (correct, but blunt when ordering)
The mistake to avoid. Je veux is correct French, but it means I want, and at a counter or a table it sounds like a demand. Je voudrais is the polite form of the same verb, and it is what people say when they order or ask for something. J'aimerais works too, and it is a little softer. Keep je veux for friends and family.
In context
Je voudrais un croissant, s'il vous plaît.
I would like a croissant, please.
Bonjour, je voudrais réserver une table pour deux.
Hello, I would like to book a table for two.
J'aimerais bien venir avec vous.
I would really like to come with you.