Grammar: A2 - ⚙️ Verbs in Depth: 🎭 Modals (Introduction) - Lesson 4: Modal "would like" (Polite requests & offers) vs. "want"

✨ Lesson 4: Modal "would like" (Polite Requests & Offers)

When we talk about something we want, there are two common ways to express our desire¹: using the verb want or the modal phrase would like.

Choosing the right one depends on how polite² or formal³ you want to be.

'want' vs. 'would like'

Want is very direct⁴. It's perfect for informal⁵ situations with friends and family.

• I want some water.
• He wants to go to the market.

Would like is more polite and formal. It's the best choice for restaurants, hotels, shops, and when speaking to people you don't know well. The contraction is 'd like.

• I'd like some water, please.
• She'd like to see the menu.

Making Polite Offers⁶

The question "Would you like...?" is a very polite and common way to offer something to someone.

Waiter: Hello, welcome. Would you like a table for two?

Customer: Yes, please.

Waiter: And would you like something to drink?

Customer: Yes, I'd like a fresh coconut, please.

Summary Table

Situation	Direct (want)	Polite (would like)
Saying what you want	I want the fish amok.	I'd like the fish amok, please.
Offering something	Do you want more rice?	Would you like more rice?

🧠 Practice Quiz: Choose the Best Phrase

For each situation, choose the more appropriate phrase.

1. You are speaking to your best friend.
   → (I want / I'd like) to borrow your moto. → It's better to be polite, so I'd like is a good choice, but 'I want' can be okay with a very close friend! Let's say for a new friend: I'd like is best. Let's try another: You are speaking to your best friend. What do you (want / would you like) to do tonight?
2. You are in a nice restaurant speaking to the waiter.
   → I (want / 'd like) a bottle of water, please.
3. A hotel receptionist is speaking to a guest.
   → (Do you want / Would you like) a map of Siem Reap?
4. You are telling your mother about your dream for the future.
   → I (want / would like) to be a doctor.

📝 Homework: At a Cafe

Write a short, 4-line dialogue between a waiter and a customer at a cafe. Use "Would you like...?" and "I'd like...".

Example:
Waiter: Hello, what would you like?
Customer: I'd like an iced coffee, please.

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Waiter: ___________________________________?

Customer: _________________________________.

Waiter: ___________________________________?

Customer: _________________________________.

Vocabulary Glossary

1. Desire: (Noun) - បំណងប្រាថ្នា (bâmnâng'prath'naa) - A strong feeling of wanting to have or do something. ↩
2. Polite: (Adjective) - សុភាពរាបសា (so'phĭəp'rĭəp'saa) - Having good manners and showing respect for others. ↩
3. Formal: (Adjective) - ជាផ្លូវការ (chea phluv'kaa) - Used in serious situations or with people you respect or don't know well. ↩
4. Direct: (Adjective) - ត្រង់ (tráng) - Saying exactly what you think without extra polite words. ↩
5. Informal: (Adjective) - មិនផ្លូវការ (mĭn phluv'kaa) - Used in relaxed situations, with friends and family. ↩
6. Offer: (Noun) - ការផ្តល់ជូន (kaa ptâl'chun) - An act of asking if someone would like to have something. ↩