Möchte

Möchte is the present tense form of the German verb möchten, used to express a wish or to make polite requests. It is commonly described as the Konjunktiv II form of mögen, but in modern usage it functions as a distinct modal-like verb with its own conjugation. The meaning is closest to would like in English, rather than the stronger will implied by wollen. Example: Ich möchte einen Kaffee. Möchten Sie etwas trinken?

Conjugation in the present tense is as follows: ich möchte, du möchtest, er möchte, wir möchten, ihr möchtet, sie möchten. It is typically followed by an infinitive or a noun phrase rather than a conjugated verb. Common constructions include Ich möchte ins Kino gehen or Ich möchte einen Kaffee. The adverb gern (gern/gerne) can be added for emphasis: Ich möchte gern ein Eis.

Usage and nuance: möchten conveys a wish or a polite request rather than a definite intention. It is preferred in customer service, menus, and everyday polite conversation. It contrasts with wollen, which expresses a stronger, more direct intention, and with mögen, which means “to like.” In questions, Möchten Sie...? is a common way to offer something or invite collaboration.

Negation and syntax: to negate, add nicht: Ich möchte nicht kommen. For polite offers or questions, inversion is common: Möchten Sie etwas trinken? The form is widely taught and used in formal and informal contexts across German-speaking regions.