Hi Ruby,

The present tense (indicatif) of vouloir is Je veux, tu veux ...... (I / you want ..)

This is standard conjugation for vouloir (But subject to context, a bit direct perhaps)

If there is a desire to be more polite (a softer register) then we can say Je voudrais (conditional) -- this translates to "I would like (want) ...."

Hope this helps?

Jim

 

 

Jim's correct. Here's an example:

If you're ordering a coffee, using je veux sounds very forward and can be perceived as impolite. Therefore, the conditional of vouloir is used -- voudrais.

Je veux un café. -- I want a coffee.
Je voudrais un café. -- I would like a coffee. (literally: I would want a coffee)