In German

wollen

Meaning: to want to

Example sentences

  • IchwillnachHausegehen.

    I want to go home.

  • Willstduetwastrinken?

    Do you want something to drink?

  • SiewolleneinHauskaufen.

    They want to buy a house.

Grammar note

Present tense: ich will, du willst, er/sie/es will, wir wollen, ihr wollt, sie/Sie wollen. Unlike the other modal verbs, “wollen” has no umlaut to drop — it loses the double “l” pattern instead, becoming “will” in the singular.

Common mistake

Don't confuse “wollen” (a direct, sometimes blunt “want”) with “möchten” (a politer “would like”). “Ich will ein Bier” can sound demanding; “Ich möchte ein Bier” is the polite version.

Quick check

Which modal verb expresses a direct wish — “want to”?

More words on this topic

mögento likemöchtenwould like (polite wish)sollenshould, to be supposed to
“Wollen” also appears as a plain vocabulary verb on this everyday-verbs page.

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Frequently asked questions

Is “wollen” rude?

Not inherently, but it's more direct than “möchten”. Between friends it's fine; with strangers or in service situations, “möchten” is politer.

What's the singular stem of “wollen”?

“will” — “ich will”, “du willst”, “er/sie/es will”.