“Ho voluto” or “Volevo”? (I wanted)
Some Italian verbs change meaning depending on whether they’re used in the passato prossimo or the imperfetto.
These verbs include: dovere, volere, potere, and conoscere.
In this article, we’ll focus on just one: volere (to want).
1. Ho voluto = I wanted to (and I did)
This is the passato prossimo and it’s used for actions that are finished and specific.
- Non ho voluto parlare con lui. I didn’t want to talk to him.
This structure implies that you wanted (or didn’t want) something, and that the action (or refusal) was carried out.
However…
Note that “ho voluto” is not very commonly used in spoken Italian.
Why? Because the passato prossimo of volere often sounds too strong, rigid, or insistent. It emphasizes willpower or determination behind the action.
- Ho voluto farlo a tutti i costi. I wanted to do it at all costs.
(This emphasizes insistence or effort.)
2. Volevo = I wanted to (but maybe I didn’t)
This is the imperfetto and it’s used for expressing intentions, desires, or mental states in the past.
- Volevo parlare con lui. I wanted to talk to him.
- Volevo cambiare lavoro. I wanted to change jobs.
This expresses a desire or plan, but it’s not clear whether it actually happened.
- Volevo parlargli, ma non ho avuto il coraggio. I wanted to talk to him, but I didn’t have the courage.
Very common in everyday Italian.
It’s natural, soft, and often the go-to form in conversation.
? Rule of thumb
As a general rule, when you want to say “I wanted” or “I didn’t want” in everyday Italian, the best choice is usually:
volevo / non volevo
The passato prossimo form ho voluto is grammatically correct, but it’s less common in speech because it sounds too strong.
“Volevo” as a Polite Form
Another reason volevo is so widely used:
It often replaces the conditional vorrei to sound polite but more casual and natural, especially in everyday situations. While vorrei is technically correct, it can sometimes sound a bit too formal or stiff in spoken Italian.
Examples:
- Volevo sapere se c’è un tavolo libero. I wanted to know if there’s a free table.
(a polite way of asking, much more natural than “Vorrei sapere se…”) - Volevo chiedere un’informazione. I wanted to ask for some information.
(softer and more natural than “Voglio chiedere…” or “Vorrei chiedere un’informazione”)
This usage is extremely common, especially in shops, restaurants, or formal emails.
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