Do “want” and “would like” mean the same thing, or are they different? When should we say “I want” and when should we say “I would like“?
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Would like vs want: meaning
In fact, want and would like are very close in meaning in general situations:
Hopes and dreams
When we are talking about things we hope to do in the future, want and would like have the same meaning:
“I would really like to go to Brazil, one day.”
“I really want to go to Brazil one day.”
Asking people for things
However, when we are talking to other people in formal situations, would like is more polite than want.
For example, in a cafe, you could say:
“I would like a cappuccino, please.” (I’d like…)
..but you wouldn’t say:
“I want a cappuccino, please.”
This is because in this situation, I want sounds too direct – and a bit rude.
When we say “I want” to ask people for things (especially people we don’t know), it can sound like: “give me…“.
So, it’s always better to say I would like or I’d like when talking to other people.
Would like with actions and people
It’s possible to use would like AND want before actions and nouns:
In this example, would like comes before a verb (would like + to + verb):
I would like to speak to the manager. ( = I want to speak to the manager)
But we can also use would like before people, things and ideas (would like + noun + to + verb):
I would like Mr Baxter to call me this evening (I want Mr Baxter to ring me…. / Please tell Mr Baxter to contact me…)
“I would like” or “I’d like”?
In semi-formal situations, you can use “I’d like…” instead of “I would like…” (but NOT in questions):
Customer – Hi, I’d like a chicken sandwich with fries, please. (short form for statements)
Server – Sure. Would you like some ketchup with the fries? (long form for questions)
Customer – No thanks.
Other polite ways to say “I want” or “would like”
Along with I would like, you can use other phrases to say I want in a more polite way.
All of these phrases mean I want / I would like. They are all polite, though some are more polite than others:
Can I have….?
Could I have…? (this is more polite than Can I have?)
Can/could you give me…?
May I have..? (more common in American English)
Do you think I could have….?
I was wondering if I could….
Would you mind giving me..?
And if you want to sound even more polite, you can add the word “possibly”:
Can/could possibly you give me…?
Do you think I could possibly have….?
I was wondering if I could possibly….
