B1IntermediateVerbs · Point 26 / 40
je pourrais, ce serait, il faudrait, j'aimerais
The conditional (“je pourrais”, “ce serait”, “il faudrait”, “j’aimerais”) softens a request and is also used to talk about something possible but not certain.
| Structure | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| je pourrais | Je pourrais vous aider. | I could (polite form of “je peux”) |
| ce serait | Ce serait parfait. | it would be (polite form of “c’est”) |
| il faudrait | Il faudrait fournir une preuve de résidence. | it would be necessary (polite form of “il faut”) |
| j'aimerais | J'aimerais ouvrir un compte bancaire. | I would like (polite form of “je veux”) |
It is built on the future stem (“je pourrai”) with the imparfait endings (“je pourrais”).
In context
Examples from our dialogues
Lines taken from our dialogues. Listen to them, then open the full dialogue to hear them in a real situation.
- Listen
Bonjour, j'aimerais ouvrir un compte bancaire, s'il vous plaît.
Hello, I’d like to open a bank account, please.
Check The Full DialogueOpening a bank accountOuvrir un compte bancaire
B1 - Listen
Tout à fait. Est-ce qu'on pourrait échanger nos coordonnées ?
Absolutely. Could we exchange our contact information?
- Listen
Vous pourriez déléguer davantage. Vous prenez parfois trop de tâches sur vous.
You could delegate more. You sometimes take on too many tasks yourself.
Check The Full DialogueGoing through your annual performance reviewPasser son évaluation de rendement annuelle
B2 - Listen
Exactement. Il faudrait fournir une preuve de résidence plus récente que celle que vous avez envoyée.
Exactly. You would need to provide a more recent proof of residence than the one you sent.
Check The Full DialogueClarifying missing documents with a clerkClarifier des documents manquants avec un agent
B2 - Listen
Ce serait parfait. Merci de votre compréhension.
That would be perfect. Thank you for understanding.
Check The Full DialogueHandling a noise issue with a neighbourRégler un problème de bruit avec un voisin
B2
Watch out
Common mistakes
Mistakes you will often hear, and the right way to say it.
Je veux un rendez-vous demain.J'aimerais un rendez-vous demain.
“Je veux” is not a grammar error, but to an employee or a stranger it sounds like an order. “J’aimerais” or “je voudrais” says the same thing politely.
Si j'avais le temps, je viendrai.Si j'avais le temps, je viendrais.
After “si + imparfait”, the result is in the conditional (“je viendrais”), not the future. The final “s” changes the meaning: “je viendrai” = it is decided, “je viendrais” = if it were possible.
Read
Related readings
Short texts where this point comes up. Read them to see it inside a story.