Grammar

The modal verb "wollen"

You've already learned nearly all the modal verbs: "müssen", "können", "möchten", "sollen" and "dürfen". There's one more - "wollen". Like all the other modal verbs, it is usually used in conjunction with a second verb, the main verb.

The modal verb "wollen" means to want to or intend to do something.

Example:
Harry will frühstücken.
 

Conjugation
The conjugation of "wollen" is irregular. Pay particular attention to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd person singular:
 

                 wollen
Singular   ich   will
    du   willst
    er/sie/es   will
Plural   wir   wollen
    ihr   wollt
    sie   wollen

 

The difference between "wollen" and "möchten"
"wollen" and "möchten" are similar in meaning. They both describe the intention and desire to do something, but with different intensities.

"möchten" expresses a wish or desire and sounds more polite.
"wollen" is stronger and more concrete.

Examples:
Bedienung: "Was möchten Sie?"
(= The waitress politely asks what Harry would like.)
Harry: "Ich will Kaffee, Brötchen, Wurst und Käse."
(= Harry is hungry and wants to eat now.)