Expressing Present Wishes in French with 'J'aimerais que' and the Subjunctive
Learn to express present unreal wishes in French using 'j'aimerais que' plus the subjunctive, distinguishing them from regrets about the past.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
In French, to express a present wish about a situation that is unreal or contrary to fact, you often use 'j'aimerais que' (I would like that) followed by a verb in the subjunctive mood. This is different from expressing regret about the past, which uses 'j'aurais aimé que' plus the past subjunctive. For example, 'I wish I had more time' becomes 'J'aimerais que j'aie plus de temps' or more naturally 'J'aimerais avoir plus de temps.' This lesson focuses on present wishes, not past regrets.
By the end, you can…
- express a present wish about an unreal situation using 'j'aimerais que' + subjunctive.
- distinguish between present wishes and past regrets in French.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
J'aimerais que tu sois là.
I wish you were here.
zhay-muh-RAY kuh too swah LAH
Expresses a present wish about someone being elsewhere; uses subjunctive 'sois'.
J'aimerais avoir plus de temps.
I wish I had more time.
zhay-muh-RAY ah-VWAHR plew duh TAHN
Uses infinitive instead of subjunctive when the subject is the same.
J'aimerais que nous puissions partir plus tôt.
I wish we could leave earlier.
zhay-muh-RAY kuh noo pwee-SYON par-TEER plew TOH
Subjunctive 'puissions' after 'que' for a different subject.
Si seulement je parlais français couramment.
If only I spoke French fluently.
see suhl-MAHN zhuh par-LAY frahn-SEH koo-rah-MAHN
Alternative with 'si seulement' + imperfect, for strong present wish.
J'aimerais que le temps s'arrête.
I wish time would stop.
zhay-muh-RAY kuh luh TAHN sah-RET
Subjunctive 'arrête' for a wish about an external event.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The structure 'j'aimerais que' + subject + subjunctive verb is used when the wished-for situation involves a different subject. Example: 'J'aimerais que tu viennes.' (I wish you would come.) When the subject is the same, use 'j'aimerais' + infinitive: 'J'aimerais venir.' (I wish I could come.) The subjunctive forms for common verbs: être -> sois, avoir -> aie, faire -> fasse, pouvoir -> puisse, aller -> aille.
When to use it
Use these structures for present unreal wishes, not past regrets. For past regrets, use 'j'aurais aimé que' + past subjunctive: 'J'aurais aimé que tu sois là.' (I wish you had been here.) Present wishes often use 'si seulement' + imperfect: 'Si seulement j'avais plus d'argent.' (If only I had more money.) Note: 'si seulement' can also express regret depending on context.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
J'aimerais que tu sois là pour m'aider.
I wish you were here to help me.zhay-muh-RAY kuh too swah LAH poor may-DAYMoi aussi, mais je suis loin. Si seulement je pouvais venir.
Me too, but I'm far away. If only I could come.mwah oh-SEE, may zhuh swee LWAHN. see suhl-MAHN zhuh poo-VAY vuh-NEERJ'aimerais avoir une baguette magique.
I wish I had a magic wand.zhay-muh-RAY ah-VWAHR ewn bah-GET mah-ZHEEKCe serait bien, mais la réalité est différente.
That would be nice, but reality is different.suh suh-RAY byan, may lah ray-ah-lee-TAY ay dee-fay-RAHNA little context goes a long way
In French, expressing wishes with 'j'aimerais que' + subjunctive is standard in both formal and informal contexts. In casual spoken French, however, speakers sometimes use 'j'aimerais' + infinitive even when the subjects differ, though this is less grammatically strict. In Quebec, you may hear 'j'aimerais ça que' + subjunctive, which is informal. The subjunctive is expected in careful speech and writing.
One thing to watch for
Using the indicative instead of the subjunctive after 'j'aimerais que': 'J'aimerais que tu es là.'
Try this instead: The correct form requires the subjunctive: 'J'aimerais que tu sois là.' The indicative 'es' is wrong here because 'j'aimerais que' expresses a wish, not a fact.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1Translate: I wish we had more time.
Show a sample answer
J'aimerais que nous ayons plus de temps.
Uses 'j'aimerais que' + subjunctive 'ayons' because the subject 'nous' is different from 'je'. Alternatively, 'J'aimerais avoir plus de temps' is correct if the subject is the same.
2Which is correct for a present wish: 'J'aimerais que tu viennes' or 'J'aimerais que tu viens'?
Show a sample answer
J'aimerais que tu viennes.
The subjunctive 'viennes' is required after 'j'aimerais que'. 'Viens' is indicative and incorrect in this context.
3Express a present wish using 'si seulement' with the verb 'être' and subject 'je'.
Show a sample answer
Si seulement j'étais riche.
'Si seulement' + imperfect expresses a present unreal wish. 'J'étais' is the imperfect form of 'être'. Other valid answers could use different adjectives.
To express present unreal wishes in French, use 'j'aimerais que' + subjunctive for different subjects, or 'j'aimerais' + infinitive for the same subject. Remember that past regrets use 'j'aurais aimé que' + past subjunctive.
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