Volere Conjugation – How to use Volere in Italian

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Volere Conjugation is considered as an essential and useful verb that can be found in most Italian daily conversations.

What does Volere means?

The Italian verb volere is mainly used to express will, expectation, intention, demand and wish. Volere means that you want to reach a goal, to achieve something or to complete an action; It also means to be eager to do something (and in this case you can also use the expression avere voglia+infinitive) or for someone else to do something. Being a modal verb, it is generally followed by an infinitive verb.

Here there are some examples:

Vuoi una tazza di tè o di caffè?
Do you want a cup of tea or coffee?

Giulia e Marta vogliono andare a Roma questo weekend.
Giulia and Marta want to go to Rome this weekend.

As you may have noticed, volere principally translates the English verb to want.

Before continuing with the explanation, if you want to practice Italian Grammar and tenses here is a list of useful books for you:

Volere conjugation – Presente

Firstly, it is really important to say that volere does not follow the general rules of Italian regular verbs. For this reason, you are suggested to learn its conjugation in all tenses by heart. Let’s find out how to conjugate it in the Presente:   

Io voglio
Tu vuoi
Lui/Lei vuole
Noi vogliamo
Voi volete
Loro vogliono

As you can see, the consonant g occurs in the verb root in the first person singular and plural and the third person plural.  

Examples:

Cosa vuoi? Un pezzo di torta o un gelato?
What do you want? A piece of cake or an ice-cream?

Non prendertela! Sai che la mamma vuole solo il nostro bene.
Don’t be upset! You know mum just wants what is best for us.   

Volere conjugation – Passato Prossimo

Volere Conjugation
Io ho voluto Io sono voluto/a
Tu hai voluto Tu sei voluto/a
Lui/Lei ha voluto Lui/Lei è voluto/a
Noi abbiamo voluto Noi siamo voluti/e
Voi avete voluto Voi siete voluti/e
Loro hanno voluto Loro sono voluti/e

In the Passato Prossimo, the verb volere can take both essere and avere. The choice of the right auxiliary depends on the type of verb you are using in the sentence. In case of transitive verbs which basically require a direct object, you will utilize avere. On the contrary, essere occurs when verbs of motion or reflexive verbs exist in the sentence.     

Examples:

Ieri non ha voluto mangiare nulla perché stava male.
Yesterday he didn’t want to eat anything because he was sick.

Non si è voluta intromettere per non sembrare troppo invadente.
She didn’t want to get involved so as not to appear too invasive.   

Volere conjugation – Imperfetto

Io volevo
Tu volevi
Lui/Lei voleva
Noi volevamo
Voi volevate
Loro volevano

You are asked to build sentences in the Imperfetto, when you want to talk about actions or habits in progress in the past. 

Examples:

Volevano cenare con noi perché ci trovavano molto simpatici.
They wanted to have dinner with us because they found us pleasant.  

Perché volevi incontrarla? Non l’hai vista di recente?
Why did you want to meet her? Didn’t you see her recently? 

Volere conjugation – Trapassato Prossimo

Volere Conjugation
Io avevo voluto Io ero voluto/a
Tu avevi voluto Tu eri voluto/a
Lui/Lei aveva voluto Lui/Lei era voluto/a
Noi avevamo voluto Noi eravamo voluti/e
Voi avevate voluto Voi eravate voluti/e
Loro avevano voluto Loro erano voluti/e

To form the Trapassato Prossimo, you just need to know the simple past of essere and avere and the past participle of the verb volere.

Examples:

Michael e Carl avevano voluto saperne di più di questa storia.
Michael and Carl had wanted to know more about this story.

Erano voluti uscire comunque nonostante la pioggia insistente.
They had wished to go out despite persistent rain anyway.  

Volere conjugation – Passato Remoto

Io volli
Tu volesti
Lui/Lei volle
Noi volemmo
Voi voleste
Loro vollero

Passato Remoto is one of the less appreciated tenses in Italian because its formation is particularly tricky. Beyond that, it is chiefly employed to report facts that happened a long time ago.  

Examples:

Mark non volle l’aiuto di nessuno, eccetto quello di suo padre.
Mark didn’t want anybody’s help, except his father’s.

Non vollero fargli del male, ma solo spaventarlo un pò.
They didn’t mean to hurt him, just scare him a little bit.  

Volere conjugation – Trapassato Remoto

Volere Conjugation
Io ebbi voluto Io fui voluto/a
Tu avesti voluto Tu fosti voluto/a
Lui/Lei ebbe voluto Lui/Lei fu voluto/a
Noi avemmo voluto Noi fummo voluti/e
Voi aveste voluto Voi foste voluti/e
Loro ebbero voluto Loro furono voluti/e

As for the Trapassato Prossimo, you can create sentences in the Trapassato Remoto by referring to the past tense of auxiliary verbs and the past participle of volere.

Examples:

Dopo che non ebbe voluto partire con loro, cambiò idea.
After he hadn’t wanted to leave with them, he changed his mind. 

Dopo che vi foste volute sposare, vi trasferiste a Chicago.
After you had wanted to get married, you moved to Chicago.     

Volere conjugation – Futuro Semplice

Italian Futuro is required when you want to mention events that have yet to happen (Futuro Semplice) or make reference to a future situation occurring before another one (Futuro Anteriore).    

Io vorrò
Tu vorrai
Lui/Lei vorrà
Noi vorremo
Voi vorrete
Loro vorranno

Examples:

Dopo quello che le hai fatto, non penso vorrà rivederti.
After what you did to her, I don’t think she’ll want to see you again.

Vorrà sicuramente sapere cosa ci è successo la scorsa estate.
I’m sure he will want to know what happened to us last summer. 

Volere conjugation – Futuro Anteriore

Volere Conjugation
Io avrò voluto Io sarò voluto/a
Tu avrai voluto Tu sarai voluto/a
Lui/Lei avrà voluto Lui/Lei sarà voluto/a
Noi avremo voluto Noi saremo voluti/e
Voi avrete voluto Voi sarete voluti/e
Loro avranno voluto Loro saranno voluti/e

Examples:

Avranno voluto sicuramente mangiare dopo il viaggio a Boston.
They surely will have wanted to eat after their trip to Boston.  

Immagino saranno volute rimanere ancora un pò qui con noi.
I guess they will have wanted to stay a little longer here with us. 

Volere conjugation – Congiuntivo Presente

Che io voglia
Che tu voglia
Che lui/lei voglia
Che noi vogliamo
Che voi vogliate
Che loro vogliano

Congiuntivo is quite unpopular among Italians. It is often replaced with some tenses of the indicative mood. Despite that, its main feature is the conjunction che preceding the conjugated verb.

In order to translate the Congiuntivo Presente, Congiuntivo Passato, Congiuntivo Imperfetto and Congiuntivo Trapassato, you need to look at the tenses of present and past simple.   

Examples:

Perché Helene pensa che Luke voglia rompere con lei?
Why does Helen think Luke wants to break up with her?

Non credo che vogliano svegliarsi presto la domenica mattina.
I don’t really believe they want to get up early on Sunday morning.       

Volere conjugation – Congiuntivo Passato

Volere Conjugation
Che io abbia voluto Che io sia voluto/a
Che tu abbia voluto Che tu sia voluto/a
Che lui/lei abbia voluto Che lui/lei sia voluto/a
Che noi abbiamo voluto Che noi siamo voluti/e
Che voi abbiate voluto Che voi siate voluti/e
Che loro abbiano voluto Che loro siano voluti/e

Examples:

Credi che Jack abbia voluto allontanarsi da me di proposito?
Do you think Jack wanted to get away from me on purpose?

Nonostante si sia voluta riposare, non è riuscita a dormire. 
Although she wanted to rest, she couldn’t sleep.

Volere conjugation – Congiuntivo Imperfetto

Che io volessi
Che tu volessi
Che lui/lei volesse
Che noi volessimo
Che voi voleste
Che loro volessero

Examples:

Pensavo che voleste dargli un’altra possibilità.

I thought you wanted to give him another chance.

Elizabeth sperava volessi andare a fare una passeggiata con lei.

Elizabeth hoped I wanted to go out for a walk with her.

Volere conjugation – Congiuntivo Trapassato

Volere Conjugation
Che io avessi voluto Che io fossi voluto/a
Che tu avessi voluto Che tu fossi voluto/a
Che lui/lei avesse voluto Che lui/lei fosse voluto/a
Che noi avessimo voluto Che noi fossimo voluti/e
Che voi aveste voluto Che voi foste voluti/e
Che loro avessero voluto Che loro fossero voluti/e

Examples:

Se avessi voluto il vostro aiuto, mi sarei rivolto a voi.
If I had wanted your help, I would have spoken to you.

Magari ti ci fossero volute due ore per riparare la lavastoviglie!
I wish it took you two hours to fix the dishwasher. 

Volere conjugation – Condizionale Presente

Italian Condizionale is the tense of polite requests and wishes.

Its equivalent form is the expression would like to in English.

Io vorrei
Tu vorresti
Lui/Lei vorrebbe
Noi vorremmo
Voi vorreste
Loro vorrebbero

Examples:

Vorrei un pezzo di crostata e una coca cola light, per favore!
I’d like a piece of pie and a diet coke, please!

Vorrebbero andare a prendere loro Derrek alla stazione domani.
They would like to pick Derrek up from the central station tomorrow.

Volere conjugation – Condizionale Passato

Volere Conjugation
Io avrei voluto Io sarei voluto/a
Tu avresti voluto Tu saresti voluto/a
Lui avrebbe voluto Lui sarebbe voluto/a
Noi avremmo voluto Noi saremmo voluti/e
Voi avreste voluto Voi sareste voluti/e
Loro avrebbero voluto Loro sarebbero voluti/e

Examples:

Avresti voluto del vino rosso, se ne avessero avuto?
Would you have liked some red wine, if they had had some?

Nonostante la situazione, sarebbero comunque voluti andarci.
Despite the situation, they would have liked to go there anyway.

Volere conjugation – Infinito

Present tense Past tense
volere aver voluto esser voluto/ voluta / voluti / volute

Examples:

Un famoso proverbio dice: “Volere è potere!”
A famous proverb says: “Will is power!”

Aver voluto partecipare all’iniziativa è segno del mio impegno.  
Having wanted to take part in this initiative is sign of my commitment.

Remember that the present tense of Infinito can be also used as a noun translating the word will in English.  

Volere conjugation – Participio

Volere Conjugation
Present tense Past tense
volente voluto / voluta / voluti / volute

Examples:

Volente o nolente, verrai con noi al matrimonio di Felicia.
Willing or unwilling, you will come to Felicia’s wedding with us.

Ci siamo sempre sentiti ben voluti in questa famiglia.
We always felt well accepted in this family.

As you may have noticed, the past tense of Italian Participio may sometimes turn into an adjective or a noun. 

Volere conjugation – Gerundio

As for the subjunctive mood, Gerundio is another tense Italians don’t really use very often, too. Anyway, you can find it in sentences built in the present progressive.  

Present tense Past tense
volendo avendo voluto essendo voluto / voluta / voluti / volute

Examples:

Volendo potresti lasciare le tue cose nel garage.
If you want, you could leave your things in the garage. 

Essendosi voluti salutare, si sono dati appuntamento al bar.
Having wanted to say hello to each other, they met at the bar.

Volere conjugation – Different uses of Volere in Italian

Volere Conjugation

Volere with Che

In order to express wish, you can employ volere with the conjunction che  followed by subjunctive mood.

Example: 

Voglio che tu sia più gentile con Veronica d’ora in avanti.
I want you to be kinder to Veronica from now on.

Volere with Pronouns

In case volere is used as a modal verb, Italian direct and indirect object pronouns and combined pronouns can go either before the verb or after the infinitive that volere is supporting. Remember that you are supposed to delete the final ending of the infinitive if you decide to postpone pronouns after it.

Example:

Mi vorresti aiutare / Vorresti aiutarmi con i compiti?
Would you help me with my homework?

Ci vuole, ci vogliono

The impersonal and pronominal verb volerci, used with essere, means “it takes, it necessitates”. You can only conjugate it in the third person singular and plural according to what you are referring to.

Example:

Ci vogliono quasi 2.000 euro per acquistare una lavatrice nuova.
It takes almost 2.000 euros to buy a new washing machine.

In some cases, you can employ this construction with reflexive pronouns if the necessity is personal rather than impersonal.

Example:

Le ci è voluto un anno intero per scrivere la tesi di laurea.
It took her a whole year to write her dissertation.

Volere dire

Volere Conjugation

If accompanied by the verb dire, volere means “to mean” or “to say”

Examples:

Cosa vuol dire questa parola in tedesco?
What does this word in German mean?

Che vuoi dire?
What do you mean? / What are you saying?

Now that you are able to conjugate volere in all tenses, you can easily say which are your wishes and requests in Italian.

Therefore, tell your Italians friends what you want or don’t want to do! 

15 common Italian stereotypes

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In my experience, every Italian I know has tried to demonstrate that Italian stereotypes could be very tricky.

What is an Italian Stereotype?

A Stereotype is a simplified and persistent subjective characteristic applied to a place, an object, an event or to a recognizable group of people who share certain characteristics or qualities. It is derived from the greek word “stereos” (hard, solid, rigid) and “typos” (imprint, image, group), hence it means “rigid image”. A stereotype can have a negative meaning and, in this case, sometimes reflects the opinion of one social group about other groups. Clearly, stereotypes rise from some kind of truth: a cultural feature, an historical fact or a habit. Nevertheless, the “actual fact” is then distorted by people who often are just full of hot air. Eventually, they apply this idea to a large group of people. In addition, stereotypes don’t take into account the continuous evolution of things.

Who has not dealt with a stereotype at least once?

Personally, both as Neapolitan in the North of Italy and as Italian abroad it has always been the routine. Unfortunately, I have often found myself trying to reassure people I am not related to the Mafia. Orthat I don’t usually shout at people. Unless you try to bite my dessert, that’s another story!

As the Italian writer Silvia Zoncheddu once said, “the stereotype deceives the mind and distorts the spirit”. In fact, the stereotipo (Italian word for stereotype) is nothing but a wrong over-generalized idea.

With this in mind, I decided to shed some light on the 15 most common Italian stereotypes. Hopefully, it would be of some help. So, let’s start!

1. Italians are obsessed with food

Italian stereotypes

This is one of the Italian stereotypes that I cannot deny. Food is everything, our lives revolve around it. For instance, take my mom: her first question in the morning is “what do you want to eat today?”.

Probably, you’re thinking that it is a normal question. But, is it normal that during lunch she asks what do we want to eat for dinner? And also, is it normal that during dinner she asks what do we want to eat the next day? But, besides my family’s weirdnesses, food truly plays a crucial role in Italians’ lives. In fact, every celebration, birthday and kind of occasion ends up in “what should we prepare to eat?”.

However, could you blame us? In my opinion, preparing food is an act of love, for both yourselves and others. Nonetheless, not every Italian is a remarkable cook.

2. Italians eat pasta and pizza everyday

Let me destroy this myth: we don’t eat pizza everyday, even if I’d wish to. Similarly, we don’t eat only pasta. In general, it’s our favourite dish and it’s delicious (especially the fresh made). But we have a wide range of options at our disposal, so this is surely an Italian stereotypes.

By the way, if you want to learn more Italian words and expressions related to food, here there are useful books for you:

3. Italians communicate with hands

Totally and undeniably true! Probably, this is one of the few correct Italian stereotypes. Indeed, no matter how hard we try, we can’t help but use our hands while chatting. In fact, we are capable of communicating without using any words. In this case, all we need is hands and facial mimic.

But don’t you think it’s easy! After all, gestures could mean various things according to their speed, direction or facial expression.

4. Italians are lazy and always late

Italian stereotypes

Absolutely not! The fact that we live in a fairytale land doesn’t imply that we spend our days doing nothing. On the contrary, we work very hard and when it’s possible, we love enjoying the wonders that surround us.

Also, Italians are not always late! Of course, it depends especially on how you’ve been taught. For instance, my parents taught me that punctuality is a form of respect. Therefore, I hate when people are late, even if only 5 minutes. In the same way, I can’t stand when people are too early. Like my boyfriend when picks me up. If we arrange 8 PM, you can’t show up at 7:30 PM and complain that I am late. I am not late, you’re too early.

However, sorry for this personal outlet. Let’s proceed with the Italian stereotypes.

5. All Italians are mafiosi

Not at all! But unfortunately, one of the first things associated with Italians is the Mafia.

And let’s be honest, the media don’t help us. In fact, since TV series like “Gomorrah” have become worldwide phenomena, the parallel Italy-Mafia has become more rooted. Undoubtedly, it is crucial to talk about it in order to understand it and fight it back. Nevertheless, the downside is that the association “Italian-mafioso” (a person related to the Mafia) becomes too easy. And nothing could be more wrong.

Historically, we all know that the Mafia was born in the South of Italy as an alternative to the absence of the government.

But eventually, from that area it spread all over the world. Thus, nowadays there is no place on Earth that the Mafia didn’t reach. And no one is proud of it.

6. Italians can’t live without coffee

Italian stereotypes

Yes, yes and yes…a billion times yes! This is not one of Italian stereotypes, this is a sacred truth! Coffee is indispensablefor every Italian, except for a tiny niche of people. And, off the record, I think the intelligence service should investigate to find out what lies beneath this strange behavior.

Truly, coffee is pure magic: in the morning its scent in the house is the sweetest “good morning” of all. Really, coffee can change your day and the way of seeing things. Additionally, its preparation with the traditional moka is an important ritual. Here in Italy, knowing how to use it represents a fundamental step in everyone’s growth .

Another key point, coffee is the base of Italians’ social life. In fact, usually coffee is an excuse to chat for hours with friends or to ask someone out. Even, you can casually meet someone after a long time and have a coffee to update on your lives.

7. Italians are “mammoni”

This Italian stereotype affects mainly male Italians and, for once, let me defend them. Naturally, we know that in Italy family bonds are very tight. And we also know that young people leave their home later than in other places.

However, this situation doesn’t make Italians mammoni, namelypeople that don’t want to leave their mother or family. Indeed, usually it is due to the lack of a job, which prevents them from living on their own.

As a young Italian, I can assure you that we want to have our independence as all young folks do.

8. All Italians are Soccer fanatics

Italian stereotypes

Unfortunately, I must admit that the majority of Italians are soccer fanatics. Also, there is a great percentage of women that love football too. 

To be clear, I have nothing against football, but I can’t stand the craziness of fanatics. In fact, every match seems to be an excuse to let prejudice and hate explode. Really, I can’t understand how what should be a joyful moment can bring out the worst of us.

Luckly, not everyone is such a fool!

9. All Italians are Latin lovers

Are all Italians latin lovers? If I should answer on the basis of my experience it would be a decisive no! Like in every Country, there are shy men and womanizers. Naturally, it depends on a person’s character. Here, men know a lot of ways to say “Ciao bella!” (Hello beautiful!). And it could be extremely annoying. Nonetheless, I have encountered very few Casanovas in my life.

Still, I think that the reasons for this Italian stereotype lie in the cinematographic industry. Indeed, lots of films in the past depicted Italians men as Don Giovanni (latin lovers).

10. All Italians have a Vespa

Italian stereotypes

This Italian stereotype could have been true in the past, but not today. Personally, I find very romantic the idea of associating Italians with images of the movie Roman Holidays. However, those times ended so long ago.

Nowadays, far less people have a Vespa Piaggio in their garage and the majority is in the South of Italy.

11. Italians are fashion-addicted

That’s another “yes and no” answer to this Italian stereotype. Of course, Italy is the land of so many worldwide known stylists. For example, Armani, Versace and Dolce and Gabbana. However, not everyone can afford their products. Plus, it is very rare to see someone in a Gucci jumpsuit buying cucumbers at the supermarket.

Nevertheless, I think that the majority of Italian people have an innate taste in choosing the outfit. In general, we like to be well dressed on every occasion.

12. Italians drive like crazy

I cannot but confirm this Italian stereotype. Indeed, in big cities trying to cross the road often requires skills like supersonic speed and sharp reflexes.

Seriously, Tom Cruise in “Mission Impossible” is nothing compared to us. But don’t worry, we do have traffic lights to help you!

13. Italians are effusive people

Italian stereotypes

I am quite proud of this Italian Stereotype. Even if I have to confess that it suits Southern Italians more than the Northerns.

Nonetheless, a great part of Italians are friendly and effusive. Additionally, physical contact is important to us. In fact, when we meet someone we don’t just shake our hands, but we also kiss on both cheeks. Unfortunately, not always we understand that people from other cultural backgrounds may consider this habit inappropriate.

If you are one of them, sorry for that! But believe me, it was done with the best of intentions.

14. Italians can’t speak English

This is another Italian stereotype that was truer in the past. Of course, there are still lots of people who don’t have a proper command of English. Yet, lots of things have changed.

Nowadays, English is taught since primary school and is taken far more seriously. And it couldn’t be any different as tourism is vital for our economy and the world of work requires it. Honestly, you will hardly find someone who can discuss fluently in English about nuclear power. But now, the majority of Italians can help you out during your vacations.

Plus, this Italian stereotype could be an excuse to learn Italian. It’s such a beautiful language.

15. Italians are loud

Italian stereotypes

Yes and no. I don’t totally agree with this Italian stereotype. Personally, I hate when people are loud, as I love calm and peace. Still, I have to admit that not all my fellow citizens are quiet.

Of course, it depends on one’s education, character and context. As a matter of fact, extroverted people are loud as they share their thoughts and feelings lively. However, you won’t find people in a grocery shouting “I’ll take two kilos of potatoes!”. We’re able to talk in a normal way, just like you.

On the other hand, in the appropriate context Italians could be loud. For instance, Italians are likely to be the life of a party…especially after a couple of Aperol Spritz.

Conclusion

So, we saw how these Italian stereotypes (and stereotypes in general) could be very deceptive.

As shown above, stereotypes are social categorizations that simplify reality to the extreme, not considering its complexity. Particularly, they rise from the distrust of the “other” and the inability of perceiving the endless shades of our lives. However, we can make a change and fight stereotypes. For instance, we can do that by traveling and being opened to diversity.

So, what are you waiting for? Plan your travel to Italy and help me show the inaccuracy of the Italian stereotypes.

And if you want a guide in order to visit Italy, try out one of these books!