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voulu

intended, desired

adjective voo-LEW Rare

Origin: Past participle of vouloir (to want), Latin 'volere'

Also means

deliberate, on purpose

Usage Note

Voulu as an adjective means something done intentionally — c'est voulu ('it's deliberate / on purpose') is very common in spoken French to clarify intent. The feminine form is voulue. As a past participle in compound tenses, it combines with avoir: j'ai voulu ('I wanted / I tried to'). Do not confuse with souhaité (wished for) which is more formal.

Examples

"Ce détail bizarre dans le film est complètement voulu."

Natural Translation

That bizarre detail in the film is completely intentional.

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