[1] The present subjunctive of volō i.e. velim is the equivalent of
English: I should / would like
French / Russian (conditional): je voudrais; ya khotel by [Я хотел бы]
Spanish / German (imperfect subjunctive): quisiera / ich möchte
[2] The verb velim itself is considered in grammar to be a potential subjunctive i.e. something that you would like to do. However, both in Latin and in the other languages given above, it conveys polite wish rather than a forceful command.
[i] Referring to self + infinitive
Scīre velim. (Cicero)│ I would like ¦ to know.
Aetātem velim servīre (Plautus) │ I would be willing ¦ to be a slave all my life.
[ii] Referring to others
(1) + ut + subjunctive
Velim ut tibi amicus sit (Cicero) │ I would like ¦ him ¦ to be a friend to you
Velim quidem, hercle, ut ūnō nummō plūs petās (Plautus) │ I would certainly wish, by Hercules, ¦ that you would ask for one coin more.
(2) + accusative + infinitive
Nunc ego illam mē velim convenīre (Plautus) │ Now I should like her ¦ to meet me.
Velim tē arbitrārī factum (Plautus) │ I would like you ¦ to consider it done.
[iii] Cicero, for example, frequently omits ut with the subjunctive, but it is the same construction:
Velim ad mē scribās │ I would like you to write to me.
Velim domum ad tē scrībās │ I would like you to write (to your) home.
Et scrībās ad mē velim dē gladiātōribus │ And I would like you to write to me about the gladiators.
Et velim mihi mittās dē tuīs librāriolīs duōs aliquōs│ I would like you to send me two of your library slaves.
Ignōscās mihi velim │ I would like you to forgive me.
Dionȳsium velim salvēre iubeās │ I should like you to send greetings to Dionysius.
Faciās mē certiōrem velim │ I would like you to let me know.
From Plautus:
Nunc ego, ille hūc veniat, velim │ Now I do wish that he would come here.
[3] You will come across further examples of verbs of wishing which will show the features discussed above, but we will focus on:
nōlō, nōlle: to not want / refuse > present subjunctive; nōlim │ I would not wish
mālō, mālle: prefer > present subjunctive: mālim │ I would prefer
[i] Referring to self
Scīre nōlō (Plautus) │ I don’t want ¦ to know
Laudārī multō mālō (Plautus) │ I much prefer ¦ to be praised.
[ii] Referring to others
(1)
Nōlō ut fallās fidem (Hyginus) │ I don't want you to break faith.
Note the more common omission of ut:
Nōlō, inquam, ōrēs (Plautus) │ I wish you would not request me, I tell you.
Nōlim praetermittās (Cicero) │ I would not want you to overlook (it).
“Tū mālim," inquiēs, "āctum nē agās." (Cicero) │ You will say, “I would prefer you not to do what has already been done.”
(2)
Nōlō ego tē assentārī mihi (Plautus) │ I don’t want you to flatter me.
Nōlō equidem tē afflīgī (Plautus) │ I really don’t want you to be hurt.
Mānīlium Persiumve haec legere nōlō (Gaius Lucilius) │ I do not want Manilius or Persius to read these things.
Num nōn vīs mē obviam hīsce īre? (Plautus) │ Won't you let ¦ me go to find them? [literally: Surely you don’t refuse …]
Nōn vult populus Rōmānus obsolētīs crīminibus accūsārī Verrem (Cicero) │ The Roman people do not want Verres to be accused on the basis of outdated charges.
Tē nōlim discēdere (Cicero)│ I would not want you to leave.
Id caput sānē nōlim novōs tribūnōs plēbis ferre (Cicero) │ That clause I would rather the new tribunes did not propose.
Mālim tē mihi graviter īrāscī quam libenter ignōscere (Fronto) │ I would prefer you to be seriously angry with me than willingly forgive me.
The key “take-away” is to be aware of different structures with verbs of wishing. There are other verbs that operate in similar ways.
