Le Present (Present Tense) Conjugation of the French Verb souhaiter

Introduction to the verb souhaiter

Get the present tense conjugation of souhaiter. Includes a FREE downloadable reference sheet (no email required). Alternatively if you have a lot of text to check then use our free French Grammar Checker – no registration required!

The English translation of the French verb souhaiter is “to wish” or “to hope.” It is pronounced “soo-eh-tay.”

Table of Contents

The word souhaiter comes from the Old French word “sohaitier,” which is derived from the Latin word “optare,” meaning “to choose” or “to desire.” It is most often used in everyday French to express a desire or hope for something.

Examples:

Je souhaiterais un café, s’il vous plaît. (I would like a coffee, please.)
Nous souhaitons un joyeux anniversaire à notre ami. (We wish our friend a happy birthday.)
Elle souhaitait obtenir un emploi dans cette entreprise depuis longtemps. (She had been wishing to get a job in this company for a long time.)

Souhaiter – About the French Present Tense

The French present tense, also known as “le présent,” is used to describe actions that are happening at the moment of speaking or for actions that are habitual, general truths, or that will occur in the near future. It’s the most basic and common tense in French.

To take a deep dive into all the French tenses then see our article on Mastering French Tense Conjugation.

Common Everyday Usage Patterns For Le Present

1. Describing Actions in the Present: The present tense is used to describe actions happening right now or at the moment of speaking. For example: “Je parle avec mon ami” (I am talking to my friend).

2. Expressing Habits and Routines: The present tense is used to talk about habitual actions or routines. For example: “Je travaille tous les jours” (I work every day).

3. Stating General Truths: The present tense is used to express general truths or facts. For example: “La Terre tourne autour du soleil” (The Earth orbits around the sun).

4. Talking about Near Future: The present tense can be used to express future actions that are very imminent or part of a planned schedule. For example: “Je pars demain matin” (I am leaving tomorrow morning).

Interactions with Other Tenses

– Present vs. Future Tense: In some cases, the French present tense can be used to express the future when the context makes it clear that the action is imminent. However, for actions further in the future or less certain, the future tense is typically used.

– Present vs. Past Tenses: To describe actions that occurred in the past, you would use the past tenses like the passé composé (compound past) or the imparfait (imperfect). The choice between these past tenses depends on the specific aspect and circumstances of the past action.

– Present vs. Conditional Tense: The conditional tense is used to express actions that are dependent on a condition. If a condition is met, the action may happen. The present tense is used for actions in the present, while the conditional is used for hypothetical or future actions based on conditions.

– Present vs. Imperative: The imperative mood is used to give commands or make requests. The present tense is used for general statements, and the imperative is used for direct orders or requests.

Understanding the French present tense and its interactions with other tenses is crucial for effective communication in French. Without it, you cannot become proficient!

Table of the Present Tense Conjugation of souhaiter

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	souhaite	Je souhaite un bon anniversaire à mon ami.	I wish my friend a happy birthday.
Tu	souhaites	Tu souhaites partir en vacances cet été.	You want to go on vacation this summer.
Il	souhaite	Il souhaite acheter une nouvelle voiture.	He wants to buy a new car.
Elle	souhaite	Elle souhaite réussir ses examens.	She wants to pass her exams.
On	souhaite	On souhaite souvent ce qu’on ne peut pas avoir.	One often wants what one cannot have.
Nous	souhaitons	Nous souhaitons tous un monde meilleur.	We all wish for a better world.
Vous	souhaitez	Vous souhaitez une tasse de thé ?	Do you want a cup of tea?
Ils	souhaitent	Ils souhaitent faire une surprise à leur mère.	They want to surprise their mother.
Elles	souhaitent	Elles souhaitent trouver un travail rapidement.	They want to find a job quickly.