der Wunsch
wish
An inner desire or the hope that something specific will happen or that you will get something.
EXAMPLE
Ihr größter Wunsch war es, einmal im Leben das Meer zu sehen.
Her greatest wish was to see the sea once in her life.
der Wunsch
wish
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Meanings
der Wunsch
request
An expressed request or a stated concern.
EXAMPLE
Der DJ erfüllte den Wunsch des Gastes und spielte das Lied sofort.
The DJ fulfilled the guest's request and played the song immediately.
auf Wunsch
upon request
A fixed expression meaning that something is done if someone asks for it or requests it.
EXAMPLE
Das Hotelzimmer wird auf Wunsch täglich gereinigt.
The hotel room is cleaned daily upon request.
Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'der Wunsch' (wish) is closely related to the verb 'wünschen' (to wish). When you wish for something, you have a Wunsch (wish).
EXAMPLE
Ich wünsche mir ein neues Fahrrad.
I want a new bicycle.
Typical verbs
'Wunsch' (wish/request) is often combined with certain verbs. You can 'haben' (have) a wish, 'äußern' (express) it, and someone can 'erfüllen' (fulfill) a wish.
EXAMPLE
Er hat den Wunsch geäußert, befördert zu werden.
He expressed the wish to be promoted.
Describing a wish
An inner wish is often described more precisely with an infinitive construction with 'zu' (to) or a 'dass' (that) clause. Both follow directly after the noun.
EXAMPLE
Sein Wunsch, Pilot zu werden, war sehr stark.
His wish to become a pilot was very strong.
Preposition 'nach'
To express a general, often abstract desire, you use the preposition 'nach' followed by the dative.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem langen Winter ist der Wunsch nach Sonne groß.
After the long winter, the desire for sunshine is strong.
Fixed expression
The expression 'auf Wunsch' (upon request) means that something is done because someone requested it. You can specify who had the request using the genitive or 'von' (of/from).
EXAMPLE
Auf Wunsch des Gastes wurde das Frühstück auf dem Zimmer serviert.
At the guest's request, breakfast was served in the room.
Compare with
Wunsch vs bitte
please
Bitte usually refers to a specific polite appeal addressed to another person. A Wunsch, by contrast, can simply be a desired outcome or a hope, without directly asking anyone to do something. Use „bitte“ when you are asking for something and „Wunsch“ when the desired outcome is the focus.
Wunsch
Mein Wunsch ist, die Unterlagen bis Freitag zu erhalten.
My wish is to receive the documents by Friday.
bitte
Bitte schicken Sie mir die Unterlagen bis Freitag.
Please send me the documents by Friday.
In real life
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