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désirer

to desire, to want

verb deh-zee-REH Less Common

Usage Note

Désirer is more formal and intense than vouloir (to want), carrying a nuance of longing or wish. It is commonly used in polite service contexts — Vous désirez? is what a waiter or shopkeeper says, equivalent to 'What would you like?' The noun désir means desire or wish.

Examples

"Il désire voyager en Europe."

Natural Translation

He desires to travel in Europe.

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