In expressing need, when would one use, "avoir envie de," and when, "avoir besoin de?"

Susan R.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

In expressing need, when would one use, "avoir envie de," and when, "avoir besoin de?"

Asked 8 years ago
LauraKwiziq team memberCorrect answer
Bonjour Susan,

To express need, you'd only use avoir besoin de, which means "to need."

Avoir envie de means "to want."
Susan R.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Thanks for the clarification.
Johanna S.B1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

But you used avoir  envie de with need to go to the toilet.  Why not j’ai besoin d’aller aux toilettes?

In expressing need, when would one use, "avoir envie de," and when, "avoir besoin de?"

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Let me take a look at that...