avoir envie (de) in 30 Seconds
- Expresses a desire, craving, or inclination.
- Used for both tangible things and actions.
- Requires conjugation of 'avoir' and the preposition 'de'.
- Common in everyday French for personal wants.
- Meaning
- The French expression 'avoir envie (de)' directly translates to 'to feel like' or 'to want' something or to do something. It's a very common and versatile phrase used to express desires, cravings, or a general inclination towards an activity or object.
- Usage
- You'll hear 'avoir envie (de)' in everyday conversations, from casual chats with friends to more formal discussions. It's used to talk about anything from wanting a cup of coffee to a strong desire to travel. The 'de' is crucial when you want to express the desire to *do* something, followed by the infinitive verb. If you want to express the desire for a noun, you use 'de' followed by the noun. It conveys a sense of personal feeling or inclination.
Je ai envie d'un café ce matin. (I feel like a coffee this morning.)
Elle a envie de sortir ce soir. (She feels like going out tonight.)
- Expressing Cravings
- This phrase is perfect for expressing cravings, whether it's for food, a specific activity, or even a feeling. For example, if you're craving chocolate, you'd say 'J'ai envie de chocolat'. If you're feeling a strong urge to travel, you could say 'J'ai envie de voyager'. It's a very natural way to express personal desires.
- Nuances
- While it generally means 'to want', 'avoir envie' often carries a stronger sense of personal inclination or a temporary desire, more akin to 'feel like' or 'fancy'. It's less about a deep-seated need and more about a current feeling or whim. This makes it a very common and relatable expression in everyday French.
- Basic Structure
- The fundamental structure is: Subject + conjugated form of 'avoir' + 'envie' + 'de' + (noun or infinitive verb). This covers most uses. For instance, 'J'ai envie de pizza.' (I want pizza.) or 'Il a envie de dormir.' (He wants to sleep.). Remember that 'de' elides to 'd'' before a vowel or silent 'h'.
Nous avons envie de partir en vacances. (We feel like going on vacation.)
- Expressing Specific Desires
- When you want to express a desire for a specific thing, you'll use 'avoir envie de' followed by the noun. If the noun is plural or starts with a vowel, you'll use the appropriate partitive article ('du', 'de la', 'de l'', 'des'). For example: 'J'ai envie du gâteau.' (I want the cake.) or 'Elle a envie d'une glace.' (She wants an ice cream.). This construction is very common when discussing food or objects.
Vous avez envie des fruits frais ? (Do you want the fresh fruits?)
- Expressing Desire to Act
- To express the desire to perform an action, 'avoir envie de' is followed by the infinitive form of the verb. This is one of its most frequent uses. Examples include: 'J'ai envie de lire un livre.' (I want to read a book.) or 'Ils ont envie de jouer au football.' (They want to play football.). This structure is essential for describing intentions and inclinations to do things.
Le bébé a envie de dormir. (The baby wants to sleep.)
- Negation
- To negate the expression, you place 'ne...pas' around the conjugated verb 'avoir'. For example: 'Je n'ai pas envie de manger.' (I don't feel like eating.) or 'Nous n'avons pas envie de partir.' (We don't feel like leaving.). This is a standard negation pattern in French.
Elle n'a pas envie de faire ses devoirs. (She doesn't feel like doing her homework.)
- Everyday Conversations
- 'Avoir envie (de)' is absolutely ubiquitous in spoken French. You'll hear it constantly in informal settings. Imagine friends planning an outing: 'Qu'est-ce que tu as envie de faire ce week-end ?' (What do you feel like doing this weekend?). Or a simple request at home: 'J'ai envie d'un verre d'eau, s'il te plaît.' (I'd like a glass of water, please.). It's the go-to phrase for expressing casual desires and inclinations.
'J'ai envie de manger une crêpe !' (I feel like eating a crêpe!)
- In Restaurants and Cafés
- When ordering food or drinks, while direct requests are common, you might also hear this phrase. A customer might say to their companion, 'Tu as envie de quoi ?' (What do you feel like having?). Or even to the waiter in a more relaxed context: 'J'ai envie de tester le plat du jour.' (I feel like trying the dish of the day.). It adds a touch of personal preference to the ordering process.
'J' ai envie d'une salade.' (I feel like a salad.)
- Expressing Moods and Feelings
- Beyond simple wants, it can express a desire for a certain state or activity related to mood. For example, after a long day, someone might say, 'J'ai envie de me reposer.' (I feel like resting.). Or if feeling energetic: 'J'ai envie de danser !' (I feel like dancing!). It's a flexible expression tied to one's current feelings.
- In Media and Literature
- You'll also encounter 'avoir envie (de)' in written French, from novels to articles. It's used to describe characters' motivations, desires, and actions. For instance, a character might 'avoir envie de changer de vie' (want to change their life) or 'avoir envie de découvrir le monde' (want to discover the world). It's a fundamental building block for expressing human desires in any narrative.
- Forgetting 'de'
- A very common error for learners is to omit the preposition 'de' when followed by a noun or an infinitive verb. For example, saying 'J'ai envie café' instead of 'J'ai envie de café' or 'J'ai envie manger' instead of 'J'ai envie de manger'. The 'de' is essential for linking the desire to its object or action. Always remember 'envie de' followed by a noun or infinitive.
Incorrect: J'ai envie pizza.
Correct: J'ai envie de pizza.
- Incorrect Verb Conjugation
- Since 'envie' is linked to the verb 'avoir', learners sometimes mistakenly try to conjugate 'envie' itself or use the wrong form of 'avoir'. For example, saying 'Je suis envie' or 'J'ai envies'. The correct structure is always 'Subject + avoir (conjugated) + envie'. Ensure you are conjugating 'avoir' correctly for the subject (j'ai, tu as, il a, etc.).
Incorrect: Nous sommes envie.
Correct: Nous avons envie de partir.
- Misusing Articles After 'de'
- When 'envie de' is followed by a noun, the choice of article (du, de la, de l', des) can be tricky. Sometimes learners default to just 'de' or the wrong article. For instance, 'J'ai envie de le chocolat' is incorrect. It should be 'J'ai envie du chocolat' if referring to chocolate in general or a specific piece of chocolate. Similarly, 'J'ai envie de la glace' is correct for a specific ice cream, but 'J'ai envie d'une glace' for one ice cream.
Incorrect: J'ai envie les livres.
Correct: J'ai envie des livres.
- Confusing 'envie' with 'vouloir'
- While 'vouloir' also means 'to want', 'avoir envie (de)' often implies a less forceful, more personal, or temporary desire. Learners might use 'vouloir' in situations where 'avoir envie' would be more natural, or vice versa. For example, saying 'Je veux du café' is perfectly fine, but 'J'ai envie de café' sounds more like a craving or a specific mood. Using 'avoir envie' adds a nuance of feeling.
- Vouloir
- Meaning: To want.
Usage: 'Vouloir' is a more direct and often stronger expression of desire than 'avoir envie'. It can imply a more determined wish or a necessity.
Example: 'Je veux un nouveau téléphone.' (I want a new phone.) - This is a direct statement of desire.
Comparison: While 'avoir envie de' can mean 'to want', it often carries a nuance of 'to feel like' or 'to crave', suggesting a more personal inclination or a temporary mood. 'Vouloir' is more general and can express a stronger, more deliberate want.
- Aimer (bien/beaucoup)
- Meaning: To like (a lot/very much).
Usage: 'Aimer' expresses preference or enjoyment, not necessarily an active desire to do something at this moment.
Example: 'J'aime bien lire.' (I like reading.) - This indicates a general enjoyment. 'J'ai envie de lire' indicates a current desire to read.
Comparison: 'Aimer' is about liking something in general, whereas 'avoir envie' is about a specific, often immediate, desire or inclination. You might like reading, but only sometimes feel like reading a specific book.
- Souhaiter
- Meaning: To wish, to desire.
Usage: 'Souhaiter' is more formal and often implies a hope or a wish, sometimes for something less immediate or more abstract.
Example: 'Je souhaite passer mon examen.' (I wish to pass my exam.) - This is a more formal expression of a strong hope.
Comparison: 'Souhaiter' is generally more formal and less about a spontaneous feeling or craving. 'Avoir envie' is informal and expresses a personal, often immediate, inclination.
- Avoir besoin de
- Meaning: To need.
Usage: This expresses a necessity or requirement, not just a desire.
Example: 'J'ai besoin de dormir.' (I need to sleep.) - This indicates a physical necessity.
Comparison: 'Avoir besoin de' is about necessity, while 'avoir envie de' is about desire. You might want a holiday ('avoir envie de vacances'), but you need to finish your work ('avoir besoin de finir votre travail').
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
Interestingly, the English word 'envy' shares the same Latin root 'invidia'. However, in English, 'envy' has retained its primary meaning of desiring what someone else possesses, while in French, 'envie' has broadened to include personal desires unrelated to others.
Pronunciation Guide
- Not pronouncing the nasal vowel in 'envie' correctly.
- Pronouncing 'de' too strongly.
- Omitting the 'r' sound in 'avoir'.
Difficulty Rating
The phrase 'avoir envie (de)' is very common and appears frequently in written texts. Understanding its nuances requires a good grasp of context and common collocations. Learners at the B1 level and above should be able to comprehend it easily in most contexts.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Examples by Level
J'ai envie d'eau.
I feel like water.
Simple desire for a noun.
Tu as envie de jouer?
Do you feel like playing?
Question form, desire to do an action.
Il a envie de dormir.
He feels like sleeping.
Desire to do an action (infinitive).
Elle a envie d'un gâteau.
She feels like a cake.
Desire for a noun, using 'un/une'.
Nous avons envie de chocolat.
We feel like chocolate.
Desire for a noun (mass noun).
Vous avez envie de partir?
Do you feel like leaving?
Question about desire to do an action.
Ils ont envie de regarder la télé.
They feel like watching TV.
Desire to do an action (infinitive).
Elles ont envie de glace.
They feel like ice cream.
Desire for a noun (mass noun).
J'ai vraiment envie d'aller à la plage.
I really feel like going to the beach.
Using 'vraiment' to intensify the desire.
Tu as envie de manger quelque chose?
Do you feel like eating something?
Asking about general desire to eat.
Il n'a pas envie de faire ses devoirs.
He doesn't feel like doing his homework.
Negation of desire to do an action.
Elle a envie de voyager loin.
She feels like traveling far.
Desire to do an action with an adverb.
Nous avons envie de visiter ce musée.
We feel like visiting this museum.
Desire to do a specific action.
Vous n'avez pas envie de sortir ce soir?
Don't you feel like going out tonight?
Negative question about desire to do an action.
Ils ont envie de parler français.
They feel like speaking French.
Desire to do an action with a specific language.
Elles ont envie de prendre un café.
They feel like having a coffee.
Desire to do an action involving a common beverage.
J'ai une forte envie de changer de travail.
I have a strong desire to change jobs.
Using 'une forte envie' to express a strong desire.
Tu as envie de faire quelque chose de différent aujourd'hui?
Do you feel like doing something different today?
Asking about desire for a specific type of action.
Il a envie de se lancer dans un nouveau projet.
He feels like embarking on a new project.
Desire to initiate an action.
Elle a envie d'apprendre à jouer du piano.
She feels like learning to play the piano.
Desire to learn a skill.
Nous avons envie de nous promener dans la forêt.
We feel like walking in the forest.
Desire to do a recreational activity.
Vous avez envie de goûter à cette spécialité locale?
Do you feel like tasting this local specialty?
Question about desire to try something new.
Ils ont envie de faire une surprise à leurs amis.
They feel like surprising their friends.
Desire to perform a kind action.
Elles ont envie de discuter de leurs projets.
They feel like discussing their plans.
Desire to engage in a specific type of communication.
J'ai une envie irrésistible de partir à l'aventure.
I have an irresistible urge to go on an adventure.
Using 'irrésistible' to describe the intensity of the desire.
Tu as envie de te remettre en question sur certains points?
Do you feel like re-examining certain points?
Desire for introspection and self-analysis.
Il a envie de s'investir dans des causes humanitaires.
He feels like getting involved in humanitarian causes.
Desire to contribute to a cause.
Elle a envie de repousser ses limites et de relever des défis.
She feels like pushing her limits and taking on challenges.
Desire for self-improvement and challenge.
Nous avons envie de créer quelque chose qui marquera les esprits.
We feel like creating something memorable.
Desire for impact and legacy.
Vous avez envie de comprendre les mécanismes de cette situation complexe?
Do you feel like understanding the mechanisms of this complex situation?
Desire for intellectual understanding of complexity.
Ils ont envie de consacrer leur temps à des activités enrichissantes.
They feel like dedicating their time to enriching activities.
Desire for meaningful use of time.
Elles ont envie de partager leur expérience avec les autres.
They feel like sharing their experience with others.
Desire to communicate and connect through experience.
J'ai une envie folle de tout plaquer et de partir faire le tour du monde.
I have a crazy urge to drop everything and go travel the world.
Expressing a strong, impulsive desire for a major life change.
Tu as envie de te réinventer professionnellement et de suivre ta passion?
Do you feel like reinventing yourself professionally and following your passion?
Desire for significant personal and professional transformation.
Il a une envie profonde de contribuer à un changement sociétal durable.
He has a deep desire to contribute to lasting societal change.
Expressing a profound and altruistic desire for impact.
Elle a une envie irrésistible de peindre un tableau qui évoque la mélancolie de l'automne.
She has an irresistible urge to paint a picture evoking the melancholy of autumn.
Specific artistic desire, using evocative language.
Nous avons une envie commune de bâtir un avenir plus équitable pour tous.
We have a shared desire to build a more equitable future for all.
Collective desire for a better societal future.
Vous avez envie de vous confronter à l'inconnu et de dépasser vos appréhensions?
Do you feel like confronting the unknown and overcoming your fears?
Desire to face challenges and personal growth.
Ils ont une envie impérieuse de comprendre les subtilités de la psyché humaine.
They have an imperative desire to understand the subtleties of the human psyche.
Intellectual desire for deep understanding of complex subjects.
Elles ont une envie pressante de laisser une empreinte positive dans le monde.
They have a pressing desire to leave a positive mark on the world.
Urgent desire for a lasting positive legacy.
J'éprouve une envie quasi viscérale de me reconnecter à mes racines ancestrales.
I feel an almost visceral desire to reconnect with my ancestral roots.
Expressing a profound, instinctual desire for heritage.
Tu as une envie dévorante de percer les mystères de l'univers?
Do you have a consuming desire to unravel the mysteries of the universe?
Intense intellectual curiosity and desire for cosmic knowledge.
Il nourrit une envie profonde de transcender les limites de l'art contemporain.
He harbors a deep desire to transcend the boundaries of contemporary art.
Ambition to innovate and redefine artistic paradigms.
Elle a une envie impérieuse de préserver le patrimoine culturel menacé de disparition.
She has an imperative desire to preserve endangered cultural heritage.
Strong sense of duty and desire for preservation of heritage.
Nous avons une envie collective de réinventer notre rapport à la nature.
We have a collective desire to reinvent our relationship with nature.
Shared aspiration for a harmonious and sustainable coexistence with nature.
Vous avez une envie délibérée de provoquer une prise de conscience globale sur les enjeux climatiques?
Do you have a deliberate desire to provoke global awareness on climate issues?
Intentional drive to raise awareness and inspire action on critical global issues.
Ils ont une envie insatiable de connaissance, cherchant à comprendre toutes les facettes de l'existence.
They have an insatiable desire for knowledge, seeking to understand all facets of existence.
Unending pursuit of universal knowledge and understanding.
Elles ont une envie ardente de laisser un héritage de paix et de compréhension mutuelle.
They have a fervent desire to leave a legacy of peace and mutual understanding.
Passionate aspiration to create a lasting impact of harmony and empathy.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— Do you feel like...? / Do you want...?
Tu as envie de sortir ce soir ? (Do you feel like going out tonight?)
— He/She feels like... / He/She wants...
Il a envie de dormir. (He feels like sleeping.)
— We feel like... / We want...
Nous avons envie de voyager. (We feel like traveling.)
— Do you feel like...? / Do you want...?
Vous avez envie de manger quelque chose ? (Do you feel like eating something?)
— They feel like... / They want...
Elles ont envie de regarder un film. (They feel like watching a movie.)
— To not feel like... / To not want...
Je n'ai pas envie de faire mes devoirs. (I don't feel like doing my homework.)
— To have a desire for...
J'ai une envie de changement. (I have a desire for change.)
— To have a crazy urge for...
J'ai une envie folle de partir en vacances. (I have a crazy urge to go on vacation.)
— To have an irresistible urge for...
J'ai une envie irrésistible de lire ce livre. (I have an irresistible urge to read this book.)
Idioms & Expressions
— To have a very strong, almost desperate desire or craving for something, often food.
Après cette longue randonnée, j'ai une envie de chien de manger !
informal— Similar to 'envie de chien', meaning to have a strong hunger or craving.
J'ai une envie de loup, on va au restaurant ?
informal— To have strange or intense cravings, typically associated with pregnancy but used humorously for anyone experiencing unusual food desires.
Aujourd'hui, j'ai des envies de femme enceinte : cornichons et glace au chocolat !
informal/humorous— To have a strong desire to spend a lot of money, often on something desired but expensive.
Cette voiture est magnifique, j'ai envie de casser ma tirelire pour l'acheter.
figurative— To have a sudden urge or temptation, often referring to infidelity or a drastic change in life around middle age. It's a desire for something new and perhaps forbidden.
À 40 ans, il a eu le démon de midi et a tout quitté.
figurative/dated— Literally 'to feel like vomiting', but can be used figuratively to express extreme disgust or aversion.
La vue de cette scène me donne envie de vomir.
literal/figurative— Literally 'to feel like screaming', used to express extreme frustration, anger, or desperation.
Face à cette injustice, j'ai envie de hurler !
figurative— Literally 'to have a desire for murder', used hyperbolically to express extreme anger or frustration towards someone.
Il m'a tellement énervé que j'ai une envie de meurtre !
hyperbolic/informal— To have a desire to do extravagant or impulsive things, often involving spending money or taking risks.
C'est mon anniversaire, j'ai envie de faire des folies !
figurative— To have a desire to escape from one's current situation, routine, or problems.
Je suis tellement fatigué, j'ai envie de m'évader.
figurativeWord Family
Nouns
Verbs
Related
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine an 'envy' monster that wants everything! But this monster is also a bit lazy, so it only wants things it can easily 'have' (avoir). So, the 'envy' monster uses 'avoir envie de' to express its desires for anything it sees. Think of a character named 'Envy' who is always saying 'I want!'
Visual Association
Picture a person looking longingly at a delicious cake, with thought bubbles above their head showing 'envie' (a stylized, slightly green monster) pointing at the cake and saying 'de!'. Or imagine a person with a huge appetite (envy) wanting to 'have' (avoir) a giant pizza.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to describe five things you feel like doing or eating today using 'avoir envie de'. Then, ask a friend (or yourself) if they feel like doing any of those things.
Word Origin
The word 'envie' comes from the Latin word 'invidia', which originally meant 'envy' or 'spite'. Over time, its meaning evolved in French to also encompass a general desire or craving, losing its purely negative connotation.
Original meaning: Envy, spite.
Indo-European > Italic > Latin > Romance > French.Cultural Context
While 'avoir envie' generally expresses personal desires, it's important to be mindful of context. Expressing an 'envie' for something that might be inappropriate or insensitive in a given situation could be perceived negatively. However, the phrase itself is neutral and widely used.
In English-speaking cultures, similar expressions include 'to feel like', 'to fancy', 'to crave', or simply 'to want'. The French 'avoir envie' often captures the nuance of 'to feel like' very well, implying a personal, sometimes spontaneous, inclination.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Making plans with friends
Summary
The French expression 'avoir envie (de)' is a versatile way to express personal desires, cravings, or inclinations towards something or an action. It's akin to 'to feel like' or 'to want' in English and is fundamental for everyday conversation.
- Expresses a desire, craving, or inclination.
- Used for both tangible things and actions.
- Requires conjugation of 'avoir' and the preposition 'de'.
- Common in everyday French for personal wants.
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à fleur de peau
B1Oversensitive; easily affected emotionally.
à la fois
B1At the same time; simultaneously.
à l'aise
A2Feeling comfortable, relaxed, or at ease.
à regret
B1With regret; reluctantly.
abandon
B1The action or fact of abandoning someone or something; abandonment (can be emotional).
abasourdi
B1Stunned, dumbfounded, greatly astonished or shocked.
abattement
A2A state of extreme dejection; despondency.
abattu
A2In low spirits; disheartened; dejected.
abominable
B1Causing moral revulsion; detestable.
