Vull cafè.

I want coffee.

Breakdown of Vull cafè.

• el cafè: the coffee
• voler: to want

Questions & Answers about Vull cafè.

What does vull mean, and what verb is it from?

Vull means I want. It comes from the verb voler, which means to want.

It is the first-person singular present tense form:

• jo vull = I want
• tu vols = you want
• ell/ella vol = he/she wants

So Vull cafè literally means I want coffee.

Why is there no word for I in the sentence?

Catalan often leaves out subject pronouns when they are clear from the verb form.

In vull, the ending already tells you the subject is I, so jo is not necessary.

• Vull cafè = normal, natural
• Jo vull cafè = I want coffee, with extra emphasis on I

This is similar to Spanish and other Romance languages.

Why is there no article before cafè?

Because cafè here is being used as an uncountable or mass noun, like coffee in English.

So:

• Vull cafè = I want coffee in a general sense
• Vull un cafè = I want a coffee / one coffee

If you are ordering a single cup, Vull un cafè is often more specific.
If you just mean the drink in general, Vull cafè works well.