Souhaitées

Souhaitées is the feminine plural form of the past participle souhaité, or more generally an adjective meaning desirable or wished-for. It is used in French to describe nouns that are the object of a wish, a desire, or a specification, and it agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies (for example, des caractéristiques souhaitées, les conditions souhaitées).

Origin and usage

The root word is souhaiter, meaning to wish or desire. Souhaitées can function as a past participle in compound tenses when the preceding direct object requires agreement, or more commonly as a regular adjective positioned after the noun in contemporary usage. Its sense ranges from “desired” or “wanted” to “specified as a wish or requirement.” In formal or administrative language, it is frequently found in noun phrases that identify requested or targeted elements.

Common contexts

- Conditions souhaitées, caractéristiques souhaitées, critères souhaités: phrases that state the desired features or requirements.

- Descriptions in job postings or procurement documents: items or qualifications that are sought after.

- Phrases like les propositions souhaitées ou les réponses souhaitées: referring to options that have been wished for or requested.

Nuances and synonyms

Souhaitées emphasizes things that are considered desirable or requested by someone (a client, employer, or group). Synonyms include désirées or voulues, though each carries slightly different nuance: désirées highlights inherent desirability, while voulues stresses intention or will. In contrast, souhaité without agreement would refer to a masculine singular object, and souhaités to masculine plural objects.

See also

Souhait, souhaiter, désir, souhaitable.