verb
to want
A1
wollen is a modal verb meaning 'to want' or 'to desire'. Irregular in present (ich will, du willst, er will) with preterite wollte and participle gewollt. Forms perfect with haben. As a modal it appears with another infinitive (Ich will gehen). Can also soften requests: 'Ich wollte...' as polite phrasing.
Examples
Obwohl die Chefin streng war, wollten die Mitarbeiter länger bleiben, damit das Projekt fertig wurde.
Although the boss was strict, the employees wanted to stay longer so that the project would be finished.
Er wollte nach Hause gehen.
He wanted to go home.
Sie hat das nicht gewollt.
She didn't want that.
Details
Mnemonics
a person reaching out for something they want
sounds like 'want' → 'woll-' similar to English 'will'
Notes
A modal verb. Present: ich will, du willst. Perfect: 'ich habe gewollt'. Imperative forms for 'wollen' are archaic or very rare for direct 'du' and 'ihr' usage; common usage does not include a standard 'du' imperative. Imperative forms are treated as not applicable here because the imperative of 'wollen' is archaic/uncommon.