In expressing need, when would one use, "avoir envie de," and when, "avoir besoin de?"

Susan R.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

In expressing need, when would one use, "avoir envie de," and when, "avoir besoin de?"

Asked 8 years ago
LauraKwiziq EditorCorrect answer
Bonjour Susan,

To express need, you'd only use avoir besoin de, which means "to need."

Avoir envie de means "to want."
Susan R.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Thanks for the clarification.
Johanna S.B1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

But you used avoir  envie de with need to go to the toilet.  Why not j’ai besoin d’aller aux toilettes?

Susan R. asked:

In expressing need, when would one use, "avoir envie de," and when, "avoir besoin de?"

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