Souhait vs. désir

In the French language, 'souhait' and 'désir' are words that both denote a form of longing or yearning. However, the nuances of these words differ in the contexts in which they are typically used. Understanding these subtle differences is key to grasping their appropriate usage in various situations.

Souhait

'Souhait' typically refers to a hope or wish, often in a more formal or polite context, and can imply a degree of possibility or intent to act upon the expressed wish. It tends to be more specific and concrete, relating to immediate or short-term aspirations.
Mon souhait le plus cher est de visiter Paris.
(My dearest wish is to visit Paris.)
Il a exprimé le souhait de terminer son projet avant la fin de l'année.
(He expressed the wish to finish his project before the end of the year.)
Pour mon anniversaire, j'ai un simple souhait : passer du temps avec ma famille.
(For my birthday, I have a simple wish: to spend time with my family.)

Désir

The word 'désir' conveys a stronger sense of longing or craving and is more emotional and intense than 'souhait'. It can encompass physical desires, deep-seated ambitions, or abstract wants that are less defined in terms of time and more profound or passionate in nature.
Elle ressent un désir ardent d'écrire un roman.
(She feels a burning desire to write a novel.)
Son désir de réussite l'a poussé à travailler dur chaque jour.
(His desire for success drove him to work hard every day.)
Les désirs du cœur sont parfois mystérieux et difficiles à expliquer.
(The desires of the heart are sometimes mysterious and difficult to explain.)

Summary

In summary, while both 'souhait' and 'désir' relate to wishes or wants, 'souhait' is typically used for formal or polite expressions of hope regarding specific aspirations that may be actionable, while 'désir' denotes a deeper sense of longing that can be emotional, passionate, and often less immediately tangible than 'souhait'. Understanding when to use each word can add depth and precision to expressing wishes and desires in French.