'to want'

Hi there - Have just begun the course and have seen two versions of the verb 'to want': veux and voulez. Lesson 1.3 uses the phrase 'vous voulez un cafe', and lesson 1.4 uses 'tu veux un cafe'. What is the difference, and when should one form be used over the other?

Hi Rebekah! Recall back to lesson 1.1 that "vous" and "tu" both mean "you". "Vous" is the formal version, used with people you do not know well, and "tu" is the familiar version, used with people you do know well. That, then, is the distinction between the two phrases. The two versions of the verb (veux and voulez) are the forms that specifically go with tu and vous, respectively -- kinda like in English, the verb form changes based on the subject. We say "I want" and "She wants". Saying "I wants" is incorrect. The same applies in French. You just have to learn and remember what form goes with what subject. (Don't worry, there are patterns.) Best of luck! :-)

Bonjour! C'est exact! Merci beaucoup Jay for explaing the difference between those two conjugations. I hope that that is clear now Rebekah and if you have any more questions, don't hesitate to post in the forum. Je vous souhaite bonne chance pour vos études! Good luck with your studies! - Marie-Claire