Question
Updated on
12 Dec 2017
- Japanese
-
English (UK)
-
English (US)
-
German
Question about German
What is the difference between möchten and wollen ?Feel free to just provide example sentences.
What is the difference between möchten and wollen ?Feel free to just provide example sentences.
Answers
When you "disagree" with an answer
The owner of it will not be notified.
Only the user who asked this question will see who disagreed with this answer.
12 Dec 2017
Featured answer
- German
"möchte-" is more polite or restrained when you express a wish for something. Often parents will correct their small children to say "Ich möchte" – I'd like – instead of "ich will" – I want – because "wollen" is more demanding and can express that the speaker feels entitled or authoritative in this situation.
Grammatically, the word "möchte-" is not a verb in itself, but the Konjunktiv-2-mood form of the verb "mögen" – to like. (Konjunktiv 2 is the German subjunctive-2 mood expressing the 'irrealis', a 'non-real' mode of a statement). Inflection chart: http://www.canoo.net/services/Controller?input=...
An more polite form to ask for something directly is "Ich hätte gerne …" (Konjunktiv-2 form of "haben" +adverb "gerne") – e.g. when you order something in a restaurant or when you ask the shop assistant at the bakery for that Vollkornbrot you like so much …
Ich will einen Hamburger. (I want!)
Ich möchte einen Hamburger. (I'd like)
Ich hätte gerne einen Hamburger. (I would like to have…)
Highly-rated answerer
Was this answer helpful?
Obviously wrong
Explanation is not enough
Written in a language I can't understand
Answer is not related to the question
Other reason
Read more comments
- German
"möchte-" is more polite or restrained when you express a wish for something. Often parents will correct their small children to say "Ich möchte" – I'd like – instead of "ich will" – I want – because "wollen" is more demanding and can express that the speaker feels entitled or authoritative in this situation.
Grammatically, the word "möchte-" is not a verb in itself, but the Konjunktiv-2-mood form of the verb "mögen" – to like. (Konjunktiv 2 is the German subjunctive-2 mood expressing the 'irrealis', a 'non-real' mode of a statement). Inflection chart: http://www.canoo.net/services/Controller?input=...
An more polite form to ask for something directly is "Ich hätte gerne …" (Konjunktiv-2 form of "haben" +adverb "gerne") – e.g. when you order something in a restaurant or when you ask the shop assistant at the bakery for that Vollkornbrot you like so much …
Ich will einen Hamburger. (I want!)
Ich möchte einen Hamburger. (I'd like)
Ich hätte gerne einen Hamburger. (I would like to have…)
Highly-rated answerer
Was this answer helpful?
- Japanese
- German
@risaA0511
"gerne" (="gern") is an adverb expressing/emphasising the notion of liking something. In the example of "möchte gerne" VS "möchte" the difference is minimal. It sounds a bit less blunt when you directly ask for or order something.
a) Ich möchte einen Hamburger.
b) Ich möchte gerne einen Hamburger.
Highly-rated answerer
Was this answer helpful?
[News] Hey you! The one learning a language!
Do you know how to improve your language skills❓ All you have to do is have your writing corrected by a native speaker!
With HiNative, you can have your writing corrected by both native speakers and AI 📝✨.
With HiNative, you can have your writing corrected by both native speakers and AI 📝✨.
Sign up
See other answers to the same question
Related questions
Recommended Questions
- What is the difference between sich etwas verschaffen and etwas besorgen ?
- What is the difference between bisherige and vorherige ?
- What is the difference between verteilen and verbreiten ?
- What is the difference between Überweisung and Überweisen ?
- What is the difference between lieber and liebe ?
Topic Questions
- What is the difference between very and really ?
- What is the difference between Oil and water don't mix. and Oil and water don't blend. ?
- What is the difference between I'm older than him and I'm older than he is ?
- What is the difference between "Do you ever feel tired?" and "Have you ever felt tired?" ?
- What is the difference between "I feel rough" and "I feel under the weather" ?
Newest Questions
- What is the difference between I'm up for it. and I'm down for that. ?
- What is the difference between I waited at the bus stop for 30 mins and I have waited at the bus ...
- What is the difference between very and really ?
- What is the difference between phrases and idioms ?
- What is the difference between enrollment ceremony and admission ceremony and entrance ceremony ?
Previous question/ Next question
What’s this symbol?
The Language Level symbol shows a user's proficiency in the languages they're interested in. Setting your Language Level helps other users provide you with answers that aren't too complex or too simple.
-
Beginner
Has difficulty understanding even short answers in this language.
-
Beginner-Intermediate
Can ask simple questions and can understand simple answers.
-
Intermediate
Can ask all types of general questions and can understand longer answers.
-
Advanced
Can understand long, complex answers.
Sign up for premium, and you can play other user's audio/video answers.
What are gifts?
Show your appreciation in a way that likes and stamps can't.
By sending a gift to someone, they will be more likely to answer your questions again!
If you post a question after sending a gift to someone, your question will be displayed in a special section on that person’s feed.
Tired of searching? HiNative can help you find that answer you're looking for.
Thank you! Rest assured your feedback will not be shown to other users.
Thank you very much! Your feedback is greatly appreciated.
