French Verb 'désirer': Complete Guide to Meaning, Conjugation & Usage

In the French language, there are many verbs that play a crucial role in expressing emotions and desires. One such verb is "désirer," which means to desire or long for something. As you'll discover, this verb has various nuances and can be used in different contexts to convey a range of meanings.

What Does 'désirer' Mean in French?

At its core, "désirer" refers to the act of wanting or longing for something. However, this verb also carries connotations of pleasure, enjoyment, and even passion. Depending on the context, it can imply a strong desire or a gentle inclination towards something. In addition to its general meaning of desiring something, "désirer" can also be used in more specific ways: * To express a deep longing for someone or something: Je désire ton amour (I long for your love). * To convey a strong desire to achieve something: J'essaie de désirer ma réussite (I'm trying to desire my success).

Conjugation of 'désirer'

The following table shows the conjugation of "désirer" in different tenses: as désiréavons désiréavez désiréont désiré

Pronoun	Present	Passé composé	Futur simple
Jeg	désire	ai désiré	aurai désiré
Tu	désires	auras désiré
Il/Elle/On	désire	a désiré	aura désiré
Nous	désirons	aurons désiré
Vous	désirez	aurez désiré
Ils/Elles	désirent	auront désiré

How to Use 'désirer' in a Sentence'

Here are six example sentences that demonstrate the usage of "désirer" in different contexts: * J'ai toujours désiré voyager à travers le monde. (I've always longed to travel around the world.) * Je désire un jour épouser mon amour. (I long one day to marry my love.) * L'entreprise désire innover dans son secteur. (The company wants to innovate in its sector.) * J'ai toujours désiré apprendre à jouer du piano. (I've always longed to learn how to play the piano.) * Le petit garçon désire avoir un dinosaure comme animal de compagnie. (The little boy wants to have a dinosaur as his pet.) * L'artiste désire créer une œuvre qui changera le monde. (The artist longs to create a work that will change the world.)

Common Expressions and Phrases with 'désirer'

Here are four idiomatic French expressions using "désirer": * Faire son beurre et désirer le pain d'autrui (To make one's own butter and long for someone else's bread): this expression means to focus on your own interests and not covet what others have. * Désirer la lune pour s'orienter (To long for the moon to guide oneself): this phrase suggests that one is guided by their desires or aspirations. * Désirer et ne pas se satisfaire (To desire but not be satisfied): this expression implies a constant longing for something, which may never be fully achieved. * Désirer avec force et passion (To long with great force and passion): this phrase conveys a deep emotional connection to one's desires.

Tips for Remembering 'désirer'

Here are three memory tricks or learning tips to help you remember "désirer": * Associate the verb with its English translation, "to desire," and think about how it can be used in different contexts. * Practice conjugating the verb by creating flashcards or using online resources. * Try to use "désirer" in your own sentences and conversations, focusing on the nuances of meaning and context.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the French verb "désirer" is an essential part of any language learner's toolkit. By mastering its conjugation, understanding its various meanings, and using it effectively in sentences, you'll be able to express your deepest desires and longings with precision and flair. Practice the verb désirer on My-French.com