Souhait

Souhait is a French noun meaning a desire, wish, or hope for something to come true. It can refer to a personal aspiration, such as “J’ai le souhait de voyager plus tard,” or to a wish directed at someone, expressed with the verb “souhaiter” as in “Je te souhaite bonne chance.” The noun is masculine: un souhait; plural: des souhaits. The related verb “souhaiter” means to wish (someone something) or to hope.

Etymology: The word appears in Old French as “souhait,” with uncertain origins. The verb “souhaiter” is derived from the noun by the standard French -er derivation; the two forms form a semantic pair: the noun denotes the object of the wish, the verb denotes the act of wishing.

Distinctions: “Souhait” is commonly used for personal desires or hopeful plans, while “désir” or “envie” are broader or stronger terms for wanting something, and “vœu” is a more formal or ceremonial wish, such as “vœux de nouvel an.” In phrases, “faire un souhait” is a common expression about making a wish, while “formuler des vœux” is more formal. In religious or ceremonial language, “vœux” is more frequent.

Usage notes: In everyday French, speakers typically use “souhaiter” with a person or a thing: “Je vous souhaite un bon séjour” or “Elle souhaite que tout se passe bien.” The noun often appears in expressions like “son souhait demeure” or “ses souhaits pour l’avenir.”