/de.zi.ʁe/
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Translation
to desire, to wish for, to want
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Word origin
From Latin desiderare ('to long for, to miss'), built on de- and sidus ('star'), so literally to look away from the stars. English 'desire' was borrowed from the Old French form.
- Origin
- Latin
- Root
- desiderare
- English cognates
- desire, desideratum
Grammar
Conjugation
Regular -er conjugation. Pronouns: je, tu, il/elle, nous, vous, ils/elles.
Indicative
| Person | Present | Imperfect | Past historic | Future | Conditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | désire | désirais | désirai | désirerai | désirerais |
| tu | désires | désirais | désiras | désireras | désirerais |
| il/elle | désire | désirait | désira | désirera | désirerait |
| nous | désirons | désirions | désirâmes | désirerons | désirerions |
| vous | désirez | désiriez | désirâtes | désirerez | désireriez |
| ils/elles | désirent | désiraient | désirèrent | désireront | désireraient |
Subjunctive
| Person | Present | Imperfect |
|---|---|---|
| je | désire | désirasse |
| tu | désires | désirasses |
| il/elle | désire | désirât |
| nous | désirions | désirassions |
| vous | désiriez | désirassiez |
| ils/elles | désirent | désirassent |
Imperative
| Person | Affirmative |
|---|---|
| tu | désire |
| nous | désirons |
| vous | désirez |
Non-finite
- Gerund / present participle
- désirant
- Past participle
- désiré · désirée · désirés · désirées
Examples
, .
I wish to speak to the manager, please.
- ?
What would you like to drink?
.
She has wanted a garden of her own for a long time.
.
Customers want clear answers.
.
He wanted nothing more than a bit of quiet.
Where this fits
Used in
Grammar articles
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French · Free printables
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Free printable study downloads for the French word "désirer" (to desire, to wish for, to want): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free week (no card)This word is taught in chapter 19, lesson 3: désirer, autorité, veste and 7 more words.