Learn How to Use ‘Volere’ in Italian: Expressions, Tips & Examples

Ciao! 👋

If you’re learning Italian and want to say what you want, what you’d like, or what others want—volere is the verb you need!

In English often uses “want,” “would like,” or “feel like.” In Italian, that’s where volere comes in.

Let’s explore the most common situations where you’ll use volere—with easy examples to help you remember them. At the end, you’ll also find a short comparison with dovere and potere.

1. “Volere” and Its Forms
2. To Express Desire
3. To Make a Polite Request
4. To Express Intention or Willpower
5. To Talk About Childhood Dreams or Desires
6. In Romantic or Emotional Expressions
7. Quick Comparison: Volere, Dovere, Potere
8. Conclusion
9. PDF Summary Table & Exercises

“Volere” and Its Forms

The verb “volere” is one of the fundamental modal verbs in Italian and indicates the desire or will to do something. In English, it corresponds to the verb “to want.”

“Volere” is conjugated in various ways depending on the tense and mood. Here are some common forms:

• Present: voglio, vuoi, vuole, vogliamo, volete, vogliono
• Past Perfect: ho voluto, hai voluto, ha voluto, abbiamo voluto, avete voluto, hanno voluto
• Imperfect: volevo, volevi, voleva, volevamo, volevate, volevano
• Future Simple: vorrò, vorrai, vorrà, vorremo, vorrete, vorranno
• Conditional: vorrei, vorresti, vorrebbe, vorremmo, vorreste, vorrebbero

To Express Desire

In Italian, “volere” is used to express what one desires or wants to do.

Examples:

You can use it with:

• nouns → when you want something
• infinitive verbs → when you want to do something

Examples:

• Voglio un caffè. → I want a coffee.
• Vuoi studiare o dormire? → Do you want to study or sleep?
• Non vogliamo aspettare. → We don’t want to wait.

In English, “want” and “don’t want” are used similarly.

To Make a Polite Request

In Italian, the conditional form of volere – vorrei (“I would like”) – is often used to be polite.

Examples:

• Vorrei un bicchiere d’acqua. → I’d like a glass of water.
• Vorresti venire con noi? → Would you like to come with us?
• Vorremmo parlare con il direttore. → We’d like to speak with the manager.

😉  Tip: “Vorrei” is a magic word in Italy—perfect for restaurants, shops, and being polite!

To Express Intention or Willpower

Volere can also show that you intend to do something or are determined.

Examples:

• Voglio imparare l’italiano! → I want to learn Italian!
• Vogliono cambiare vita. → They want to change their lives.
• Vogliamo riuscire, a tutti i costi. → We want to succeed, no matter what.

To Talk About Childhood Dreams or Desires

When you want to talk about something you used to want, especially as a child or in the past, use volevo, volevamo, etc.

Examples:

• Da bambino volevo fare il pompiere. → As a child, I wanted to be a firefighter.
• Volevamo un cane, ma non potevamo. → We wanted a dog, but we couldn’t.
• Lei voleva studiare arte. → She wanted to study art.
• Voglio fare una passeggiata dopo cena.→ I want to take a walk after dinner.

In Romantic or Emotional Expressions

Yes, Italians use volere to talk about love, affection, or emotional closeness.

The classic expression is volere bene a qualcuno: to care about / love someone (not romantically).

Examples:

• Ti voglio bene. → I love you (non-romantic: family, friends).
• Vuoi bene ai tuoi genitori? → Do you love your parents?
• Le volevo bene, ma non era amore. → I cared about her, but it wasn’t love.

💘 Careful! “Ti amo” is romantic love. “Ti voglio bene” is friendly/family love.

Quick Comparison: Volere, Dovere, Potere

🧠 All three often go before another verb in the infinitive:

Voglio dormire, devo studiare, possiamo parlare, etc.

Verb	Meaning	Example
volere	to want	Voglio viaggiare. → I want to travel.
dovere	must / to have to	Devo lavorare. → I must work.
potere	can / to be able to	Posso uscire. → I can go out.

Conclusion

The verb volere is super common in Italian and used in many different ways—from ordering a pizza to talking about your dreams.

Here’s a quick way to practice:

Make your own sentences in each situation we saw.

Try these starters:

• “Oggi voglio…”
• “Da piccolo/a volevo…”
• “Vorrei…”
• “Non voglio…”

Let volere help you express yourself more clearly and confidently in Italian!

Alla prossima! 🤗

PDF Summary Table & Exercises