souhaite vs désire
French word comparison
Listen to souhaite
Listen to désire
| souhaite | désire |
|---|---|
/soo-WET/ verb | /day-zee-ruh/ verb |
| to wish, want, or hope for something; also used in polite expressions like "I wish you..." | to desire, wish for, or want something |
How they differ
“Désire” is closer to a stronger, more deliberate want than “souhaite.” It can sound more formal, more intense, or more emotionally charged, while “souhaite” is often softer and more neutral, especially in polite formulas.
When to use each
When to use souhaite: Prefer “souhaite” when you want a polite, neutral verb, especially in set expressions like wishes and greetings.
When to use désire: Prefer “désire” when you want to stress a stronger personal desire or a more formal written tone.
Side-by-side examples
- Je souhaite que tout se passe bien.
(I hope everything goes well.) - Il désire obtenir ce poste.
(He desires to get this job.)
Register & nuance: “Désire” is generally more formal and less common in everyday spoken French than “souhaite.”